The Matusiak Family



Yesterday, I met up with the Matusiak family—Mark, Rachel, Annie, and Harvey—and I have to say, this family is absolutely adorable. They were a little shy and quiet when we first started, but it didn’t take long for me to get everyone excited about why we had chosen Fort Pickens for their family session.


And honestly, I have no doubt the kids loved this place as much as I do. Fort Pickens is filled with tunnels, hidden corners, secret hideaways, and plenty of places for kids to explore. I’m always looking for ways to get the kids involved and make a family photoshoot feel more like an adventure than a photo session. So, instead of directing every step, I let Annie and Harvey lead the way—and it was definitely a good decision! We explored, played, laughed, and managed to capture some really great family photographs along the way.


Of course, there were two things working against us: the heat and the ants. And let me tell you…the ants have apparently taken over Fort Pickens! I would set my camera bag down for just a minute, and before I knew it, there were ants everywhere. And yes, they bit me! 😂 That was ultimately what convinced us it was time to flee the fort. We were all more than happy to jump back into the cars and enjoy some air conditioning.


The temperatures have dropped a little lately, but the humidity is another story. Florida humidity has a way of making everything feel about ten degrees hotter. I’ve reached the point where I can barely wear makeup to a photoshoot because it simply melts off—and then burns my eyes! 😂 But as hot as it was, we were determined to make the most of our evening.


Since the Matusiak family was camping at Fort Pickens, heading over to the beach was the perfect way to finish their session. And our timing couldn’t have been better. We arrived with only about 15–20 minutes before sunset, which gave us that beautiful evening light I love so much.

Family of four smiling together under stone arches, wearing coordinating blue and white outfits in a sunny outdoor setting.
Family of four smiling under stone arches, wearing coordinating blue and white outfits.
Two smiling children pose in a stone archway, girl in blue tiered dress and boy in white shirt with khaki shorts.
Family of four smiling and sitting on a brick wall outdoors near a beach on a sunny day.
Smiling couple poses under brick arches, man in white polo and khaki shorts, woman in blue maxi dress and wedge sandals.
A smiling couple poses together under a brick archway, the man in a white shirt and the woman in a blue dress.
Family of four posing outdoors near rustic brick arches, wearing coordinating blue and white outfits on a sunny day.
Family of four sitting on a brick wall near the beach, wearing coordinated blue and white outfits.
Smiling teenage girl in a light blue tiered sundress leaning against a brick wall outdoors.
Smiling teenage girl in a light blue sundress leaning against a stone wall.
Smiling teenage girl in a light blue sundress leaning against a brick wall outdoors.
Family of four smiling under stone arches, parents and two children dressed in blue and white summer outfits.
Family of four sitting on a brick wall outdoors, smiling and wearing coordinated blue and white summer attire.
Happy family of four posing together on a brick wall with a scenic beach backdrop on a sunny day.
Happy family of four sitting on a brick wall outdoors in coordinating blue and white outfits.
A happy family of four sits on a brick wall outdoors, dressed in coordinating blue and white outfits.
Two children walk hand in hand on a wooden boardwalk, girl in blue dress and boy in white shirt and khaki shorts.
Happy family of four posing together on a beachside boardwalk at sunset.
A cheerful family of four waves at the camera on a sandy beach at sunset, dressed in coordinating blue and tan outfits.
Couple embracing on sandy beach dunes at sunset, woman in blue maxi dress, man in white shirt and khaki shorts.
Family of four posing together on beach dunes at sunset, wearing coordinated blue and khaki outfits.
Happy family of four embracing on a sandy beach at sunset, dressed in coordinating blue and white outfits.
Family of four posing on a white sand beach at sunset, wearing coordinating blue and white outfits.
Smiling teenage girl in a blue sundress standing on a white sand beach.
A mother and daughter in matching blue dresses smile and embrace on a sandy beach.
Two women in blue dresses running and playing along a serene beach shoreline at sunset.
A smiling bald man with a beard stands behind a young boy on a sandy beach, both wearing white shirts.
A smiling couple sits together on a white sandy beach, the woman in a blue dress and man in a white shirt.
Family of four sitting together on sandy beach shoreline, smiling in coordinated blue and white outfits.
Family of four smiling together on a white sand beach, wearing blue and white outfits with ocean in background.
A smiling boy in a white shirt and khaki shorts stands barefoot on a sandy beach with ocean waves behind him.
Boy smiling at beach wearing white short-sleeve button-up shirt with chest pocket and khaki shorts.
Couple holding hands walking barefoot on a sandy beach, woman in blue maxi dress, man in white shirt and khaki shorts.
A smiling couple poses back-to-back on a beach at sunset, woman in blue maxi dress, man in khaki shorts.
A happy family of four sits together on a sandy beach with sea oats in the background.
Happy family of four sitting together on a sandy beach with sea oats in background.