Parents kissing near teenage kids at the Balboa Park Organ Pavilion

Balboa Park Family Portraits | Capturing a Season

It was wonderful to photograph the Sundermeyers again this summer after four eventful years. Seana recently finished her doctoral degree in teaching English, so she had wonderful words for me when I asked her to describe her family and our session together.

Four years ago, we had the blessing and privilege of having our family photo session with Amy at beautiful Coronado. It was an opportunity to capture the ever-fleeting time of our family as our daughter Kaitlyn was graduating high school at that time. We knew we wanted to capture this season in a magical way once again with both of our kids entering into their senior years—Kaitlyn graduating this year from university, and our son Tyler graduating high school. When the kids were little, we would often ask them at the end of the day what their favorite thing was of whatever we did that day. Oftentimes, they would answer just “being together.” We are so grateful to have all four of us together to celebrate life and the gift of “being together!”

Sundermeyer family of four seated on white columns at Balboa Park, Kaitlyn and Tyler beside their parents
Tyler and Kaitlyn sitting close together, smiling at Balboa Park with green foliage behind
Seana in denim jacket portrait, hands clasped, with blurred Balboa Park greenery in background

Both of our children have experienced heavy health journeys this past summer involving going through major surgeries and healing through ample recovery time. Journeying through chronic sickness with one’s children is such a strong reminder of how precious life is. I often call our two kids “miracle kids,” because that is what they are! These pictures will always be special to us, especially this summer, reminding us of their resiliency, their bravery, and their precious lives. What a gift!

Tyler in black leather jacket, white shirt, standing with casual confidence in natural setting
Seana seated on grass during golden hour at Balboa Park, looking peaceful and content
Parents sitting together on colorful mosaic bench with red and yellow flowers blooming behind
Tyler and Kaitlyn side by side with arms linked, both smiling at Balboa Park colonnade
Seana leaning on stone wall in denim jacket, with aged architectural detail as backdrop

Seana said, “I actually love the laughter in between the photos. One of the things I treasure most as my kids are older is just the opportunity to hang out and have fun conversations with them. It was a beautiful evening in San Diego and I just loved soaking up that time with my family in beautiful Balboa Park.”

Kaitlyn in green patterned shirt smiling brightly with red, orange, and yellow flowers behind
Tyler leaning on concrete ledge with purple flowers and greenery visible at Balboa Park
Kaitlyn at fountain with museum building and tower framed behind her at Balboa Park
Tyler in checkered shirt leaning on wall at Balboa Park with historic tower in background
Tyler sitting on steps with white portico arches visible behind, golden hour light
Kaitlyn crouching on Balboa Park steps in patterned shirt and cream skirt, smiling

Seana: It is so hard to choose favorites for sure! However, I love the one of our two kids sitting on the steps with the beautiful arch architecture behind them. Also, towards the end of our photo session, there were some beautiful purple flowers present so we took the opportunity to take a family picture in front of them. I just like the way those turned out as well, even in that spontaneous moment!

Kaitlyn and Tyler sitting together on Balboa Park steps with arched portico behind
Sundermeyer family walking together on Balboa Park path with church tower in distance
Family of four walking through white colonnade at Balboa Park with warm golden light
Kaitlyn standing by water feature at Balboa Park in green patterned shirt, facing camera
Two teenage girls embracing outside in evening light, both smiling
Tyler sitting on steps before large wooden doors, checkered shirt, hand to face
Sundermeyer family of four together at Balboa Park smiling, close pose
Tyler leaning on wooden fence rail with lush green trees and grass in background
Sundermeyer family of four together with magenta flowers blooming behind at Balboa Park
Family portrait with Tyler, Kaitlyn, Seana and dad by purple flowers at Balboa Park

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