Session with the Hostetlers


The Hostetlers booked a beach session with me on a Saturday evening at beautiful Pensacola Beach. It was the first time I’ve ever had to cancel a session due to rain in the forecast, so we decided to move it to Sunday night instead. I’ll admit, I was nervous — they were leaving town the next morning, and I was heading out of state to visit my parents in California. The window of opportunity felt so small, and I remember driving toward the beach through steady rain, silently hoping that the weather would give us just one clear hour of sunshine. Thankfully, the beach did not disappoint.


When I arrived, I spent about thirty minutes scouting locations, only to find the beaches unusually crowded. After checking three different spots, I realized I’d have to get creative if I wanted a little peace and open space. Because our rescheduled session was at 3 p.m., the conditions were a bit different than planned — bright, lively, and full of beachgoers. I decided to return to one of my favorite hidden gems: the dog beach. It’s a quiet, remote stretch of sand, and with everyone driving separately, it was an easy spot for us all to access.


When I met the Hostetlers at their Airbnb, I was greeted by an unexpected sight — a large, happy room full of family. Fifteen smiling faces! My heart swelled. I love big family sessions, but I’ll admit, with those dark clouds still hovering in the distance, I felt a rush of urgency to make every moment count before the skies changed their mind.


As it turned out, the weather gifted us a bit of everything: soft clouds, bursts of sunshine, rolling waves, and just the right amount of breeze. It was perfect — the kind of unpredictable beauty that makes coastal sessions so magical.


During our time together, Lora, the mother and grandmother, shared her story with me. She had lost two sons and wanted to honor them through these photos, because Pensacola had played such a meaningful role in their lives. Her words stayed with me. In that moment, I felt deeply honored to be trusted with something so personal.


I am always touched by families like the Hostetlers — strong, kindhearted people who have weathered great loss yet continue to radiate love and laughter. Their session reminded me that photography is so much more than capturing smiles; it’s about preserving legacies, love, and connection.


It was a privilege to photograph this beautiful family and witness their joy, resilience, and togetherness. The Hostetlers will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Extended family poses together on a sunny beach with sea oats and sand dunes in the background.
Multi-generational family group wearing coordinated light-colored outfits gathered on a beach at sunset.
Extended family poses together on white sandy beach with sea grass and ocean waves in background.
Multi-generational family group wearing coordinated beach outfits sits together on pristine white sand.
Large family group smiling together on sandy beach with beach grass and blue sky in background.
Family group standing together on white sandy beach with sea oats and blue sky in the background.
Family members walking together on a sandy beach path through sea oats on a sunny day.
Family members standing together on a sandy beach with sea grass and blue skies in the background.
Group walking along a coastal path with tall beach grass and blue skies in the background.
Small family group walking along pristine white sand beach with ocean waves in background.
Family members stand together on beach path with tall grass and ocean view.
Large family gathering poses casually along beach shoreline wearing coordinated light colored clothing.
Playful beach photoshoot with couples dancing and embracing by the ocean waves.
A tender moment shared between parent and child embracing on a sunny beach with ocean waves in the background.
Romantic beach photoshoot with couple dancing and embracing by ocean waves at sunset.
A family walks together along a sunny beach shoreline with ocean waves in the background.
People walking together on a pristine beach during a bright sunny day.
A tender embrace shared between parent and child on a bright, sunlit beach.
Mother and child sharing playful embraces and tender moments on a sunny beach.
Parent and child share joyful embrace on sunny beach with white sand.
A sequence of photos showing a person holding a blue frame on a sandy beach.
Couple in coordinated blue and white outfits shares joyful moment on sunny beach.
Black and white image of playful piggyback rides on empty beach shoreline.
Couple in light blue and white outfits sharing intimate moment on beach with waves crashing behind.
Couple sharing laughter together on a bright sunny beach in casual summer attire.
Senior couple in casual beach attire shares intimate moment on sandy shoreline.
Couple sharing playful moments together on a sunny beach with ocean waves in the background.
Group enjoying a sunny day walking together along a white sandy beach with ocean waves in the background.
Close up view of people peeking through holes in a white wall at the beach.
Extended family group poses casually together on beach wearing coordinated light colored clothing.
Family walking together and playing on a sunny beach with ocean waves and high-rise buildings in the background.
A couple wearing blue and beige outfits holds hands while walking together on a sunny beach.
Three people walk along pristine beach shoreline wearing coordinated light colored outfits.
Couple in casual beachwear shares romantic moment along shoreline with waves crashing behind them.
A group of people wearing coordinated blue and white outfits pose together on a sunny beach.
Two friends in flowy dresses laughing and embracing on a sunny beach with ocean waves in the background.
Four friends enjoying a sunny day together at the beach wearing casual summer outfits.
Playful couple enjoying a romantic moment at the beach with waves in the background.