Classic Santa Monica Maternity Session.

I recently ventured out of Orange County to meet up with Elham and her wonderful soft spoken husband in Santa Monica. When I first arrived at Pacific Park I have to admit I was intimidated. The sun was blazing and the beach, despite having rained the day before and still quite chilly, was packed. There were even people swimming in the brisk 58 degree water. Most likely tourist from some far off frigid local basking in what seemed to them a mild summer's day.

By the time Elham and her husband arrived though the polar bear club was toweling off and the throngs of beach goers were headed off for sustenance, I assume, at some place they saw on Tik Tok. By the time we started our session, conditions were perfect.

Elham had a particular vision of soft sand and foamy seas, wearing her gorgeous white lace dress, wistfully strolling down the beach. We started capturing a whole set of these elegantly simple photos, but I couldn't resist the siren’s call of the pier's majesty. I thought to myself, now this is where a good location can take a beautiful, yet fairly normal session, up to eleven. (Who's ready for the Spinal Tap Reboot?!)

There is honestly something  so nostalgically satiating about a beachside amusement park. It brings back those butterflies I felt as a little boy, petrified yet determined to conquer the great heights and sudden falls any ride would throw my way. Or guiltlessly devouring a corndog on my mother's lap and  then falling asleep on the ride home, face sticky with cotton candy.

As the sun dipped into the sea and the faint sound of children's squeals and laughter drifted through the air I could only feel excitement . Excitement not only for Elham and her husband as they ventured into parenthood but selfishly for myself knowing that this session was an instant California classic.