A Family Reunion on Pensacola Beach | The Lauderdale Family



The Lauderdale family came to Pensacola for a long overdue vacation, and this time, everyone was together: grandparents, their three children, spouses, and grandchildren. It was a big, beautiful family reunion, and I could tell how much it meant to them.


I met them at their rented beach house on the eastern side of Pensacola Beach. The house was gorgeous, with windows all around and so much natural light. Best of all, we could walk straight from the back door onto the beach. That stretch of shoreline is one of my favorite places to photograph families. With no tall buildings blocking the sun, the light and the open beach are just beautiful.


Patricia, the grandmother, had called me weeks before our session to talk through her ideas. She had thought about the details, even bringing props for the children. When I met her, she was every bit as lovely as she had sounded on the phone: elegant, friendly, and so proud of her family. More than anything, she seemed grateful to have everyone there together. I understood right away why these photographs mattered so much to her.

Two toddler girls playing on a sandy beach, one in a floral dress and one in a denim dress, sharing a seashell.
Smiling young man with curly blond hair holding a sleeping newborn baby on a sunny beach.
Two toddler girls in dresses playing with a seashell on a white sandy beach.

We started at 6 p.m., and the September evening seemed to fly by. One moment the sun was peeking through the clouds; the next, the sky was soft and overcast. I moved between family portraits, smaller groupings, and all those candid moments that happen when everyone is simply enjoying being together. I’m pretty sure I took far too many photos. What else is new? 😂


As the light faded, we were treated to a beautiful sunset. I loved capturing those colors, but I also wanted the family to shine in their portraits. Whenever I edit, I imagine a photograph enlarged and hanging over a fireplace. I want the light and the scenery to feel beautiful, while keeping your eye on the people who make the picture meaningful.

A young family of four poses on a sandy beach, parents holding two small children, dressed in neutral tones.
A couple kisses on a white sand beach while their toddler daughter sits between them in a sweet family portrait.

Patricia, I hope these images bring you right back to this evening: your grandchildren on the beach, your whole family together, and the joy of a vacation you had waited a long time to share. Thank you, Lauderdale family, for inviting me to be part of it.

Large family posing together on a sandy beach with sea oats, wearing coordinated outfits in neutral and earth tones.
A joyful multigenerational family poses together on a sandy beach with sea oats in the background.
Family of five posing on sandy beach with sea oats, including grandparents and three young children in white and blue outfits.
Family of five posing on sandy beach with sea oats, featuring grandparents and three young children in casual attire.
A happy family of five poses together outdoors in coordinated outfits for a bright and elegant beach photo session.
Happy family of five posing together outdoors at a beach, smiling and embracing near sea oats on a bright day.
A smiling family of three poses on a sandy beach, with parents holding their baby girl in a blue dress.
Family of three smiling together on white sand beach, parents sitting with toddler in denim overalls near sea oats.
Family of three poses on white sand beach, parents sitting while toddler girl in blue dress stands between them.
Young family of four at beach, curly-haired dad kissing toddler while mom holds infant in striped maxi dress.
Happy family of four posing on a beach with sea oats, parents holding two young children in soft natural light.
Happy family of four posing on sandy beach, parents smiling with two young children amid coastal dunes.
Black and white family portrait on beach with parents and two young children sitting in sand near sea oats.
Couple embracing on sandy beach, man in crochet shirt and khakis, woman in striped maxi dress, sea oats background.
Young woman in brown plaid strapless belted dress smiling on sandy beach with sea oats in background.
Young woman with curly hair wearing a striped strapless dress poses outdoors near tall beach grass.
Young woman in brown and white checkered strapless dress posing on white sand beach with sea oats.
Large family group portrait smiling together on sandy beach near ocean shore.
Group of seven friends holding hands on a white sand beach, viewed from behind, wearing summer outfits at sunset.
Large family walking together on a white sand beach at sunset, wearing coordinated outfits in neutral tones.
Brunette mother in striped dress holds blonde toddler girl at beach with turquoise ocean in background.
Laughing toddler girl in blue dress lifted joyfully by bearded father on bright white sand beach.
Adorable toddler girl in floral dress with pink bow examines small object at the beach.
Two toddler girls in summer dresses play together on a sandy beach near the ocean shoreline.
Tender moment of curly-haired father kissing sleeping newborn baby on beach.
Couple embraces romantically on beach, man in black and white shirt with woman in white dress at sunset.
Elegant older couple embracing on white sand beach at sunset in coordinated outfits.
Family of three poses on a sandy beach at sunset, parents embracing while toddler girl stands between them.
Three people smiling together on a sunny beach with turquoise water, wearing summer outfits for a family beach photo.
Family of five poses together smiling at beach shoreline during golden hour sunset photography session.
Mother in striped dress holds sleeping baby at beach.
Loving mother with dark hair gently kissing sleeping newborn baby at the beach.
Beautiful brunette mother in striped dress holds newborn while toddler daughter hugs her at beach.
Mother in striped maxi dress holds baby while toddler girl walks beside her on sandy beach.
Loving family of four at beach, dad kissing mom while she holds newborn and toddler clings to her dress.
Young woman with long curly hair smiles confidently in brown plaid strapless dress on beach.
Young woman in brown plaid strapless dress poses confidently at beach shoreline with ocean waves behind her.
Smiling mother holds happy baby girl at sunny beach.
Mother kissing her smiling baby girl while holding her up against a bright sky at the beach.
Two young sisters in white dresses sit together on a sandy beach with calm ocean waves in the background.
Two young sisters in white dresses cuddle on a white sandy beach with turquoise ocean waves in the background.
Two women in coordinated outfits embrace warmly on beach at sunset near ocean waves.
Mother and teenage daughter embrace warmly on sandy beach at sunset in coordinating stylish outfits.
Three women in summer dresses pose together smiling on a sandy beach with ocean waves in the background.
Three women smiling and posing together on a sandy beach, wearing summer dresses in white, plaid, and striped patterns.
Three friends posing together on beach at sunset, woman in plaid dress, man in blue shirt, woman in striped maxi dress.
Three young adults smiling together on sandy beach at golden hour in casual summer outfits.
Three young adults laughing and posing together on a beach at sunset, one making bunny ears behind a smiling man.
Two men, one younger and one older, pose together smiling on a sunny beach.
Older couple embracing on a beach, smiling warmly with ocean waves in the background.
Two women embracing in a warm hug on a beach, one in white dress, other in striped sundress, ocean backdrop.
A smiling couple embraces warmly on a beach at sunset, with calm ocean waters in the background.
Couple hugging on white sand beach at sunset, woman in white dress, man in blue polo and khaki shorts.
Two adorable toddler girls sit together on white sand beach, one in denim dress and one in white ruffled dress.