Behind the Scenes of Grammy Judy’s 80th Birthday Session: An Interview with Wendy

I’ll admit: when the sky gets lively, I get a bit giddy. That evening had it all—puffy clouds, a colorful sunset, and a dazzling full rainbow arching over the waves. As if that wasn’t magical enough, the kids found a big, perfectly intact seashell on the shore during our shoot. There was an almost supernatural energy in the air, and we were all basking in it.

I asked Wendy to share a few reflections about their session at The Del—why they chose this spot, what made the day special, and the stories behind their favorite photos. Here’s a peek behind the scenes of their Judy’s milestone birthday celebration.

Q: What inspired you to book this photo session?

A: We booked the session to celebrate the 80th birthday of Judy, my husband’s mother and our children’s Grammy.

Q: What were you hoping to capture?

A: We wanted to capture how truly happy and tight-knit our family is. We’re a very loving family and hoped that our natural beauty, inside and out, would shine through in the photos—especially in a location as beautiful as The Del.

Q: Do you have a favorite photo from the session? What does it mean to you?

A: There are so many favorites! We love the family group shots and the sunset pictures. The images of the kids authentically capture their spark, energy, and fun-loving nature at this age. The shots of Grammy with the kids mean so much—they show their special bond. I personally love the photo with us sitting in front of The Del; it captures both the location and our unforgettable stay at the hotel.

Q: Any sweet or funny stories from the shoot?

A: Our kids found a big, perfectly intact seashell on the beach during the shoot, which was only the beginning of our good fortune. We were also graced with picturesque skies, a generous sunset, and a gorgeous full rainbow that stretched across the entire sky. There was something magical about that day, and I think we were all basking in it.

Q: Tell us a little about your kids.

A: Levi is 11—he’s smart, sensitive, and silly, with beautiful freckles and striking blue eyes. Gemma is 8—she’s so funny and full of energy, always lighting up the room with her personality and beautiful curly hair.

Q: What made you decide this was the year for photos?

A: We wanted to gift Judy with these photos, both to celebrate her milestone birthday and commemorate this magical family trip we shared together.

Q: Describe your family in three words.

A: Tight-knit, funny, and affectionate.

Q: Any traditions or milestones being celebrated?

A: Grammy Judy’s 80th birthday!

Q: What brought you to San Diego?

A: Traveling from Los Angeles, we wanted to stay at a beautiful, memorable place to celebrate Judy’s milestone birthday, and The Del is such a special hotel in a terrific location. We just knew we’d have the best time—and we truly did!

Wendy’s gift to Grammy Judy was these photos, capturing a magical family trip that would become part of their legacy. It’s always such an honor to photograph families who are intentional about preserving their happiest moments. And when a rainbow joins us in the process, the blessing feels even greater.

Grammy Judy and family stand in shallow ocean water on beach under cloudy sky
Family of five walk through shallow water with perfect reflections on wet sand below
Two children run hand in hand through shallow water as sun glows on the horizon
Woman in white dress runs across beach with hair flying, backlit by golden sunset
Grammy Judy and family gather on beach with Hotel del Coronado visible in distance
Close-up of Grammy Judy in blue cardigan on beach with calm ocean behind her
Grammy Judy and man embrace on beach, both smiling, with ocean and sky behind them
Grammy Judy and woman embrace on beach with ocean and Hotel del Coronado visible
Boy in turquoise shirt stands on beach with hands in pockets, Hotel del Coronado behind
Close-up of girl with curly hair in white sleeveless top on beach at soft golden hour
Man lifts young girl laughing on beach at golden hour with dramatic sky and water reflections
Woman and boy stand on wet sand facing ocean, silhouetted against glowing golden light
Man and girl dance together on beach at golden hour, both in motion with pink sky
Girl sits on large rock in lavender dress, hands resting on stone as sun sets
Girl in white dress stretches in a lunge across wet sand at golden hour sunset
Man and girl share a close moment on beach, silhouetted against orange and gold sunset
Boy in turquoise and girl in white walk together on beach at golden sunset
Two children jump playfully on rocks with rainbow glowing in pink sky above
Boy jumps off large rock at beach, framed against warm golden sunset light
Girl in white stands on rock at beach, silhouetted against sky with bright rainbow above
Boy and girl sit together on rock with rainbow arcing through soft pink sky
Two children sit on rock looking in different directions, backlit by soft beach light
Boy sits on large rock at beach at golden hour, looking down as sun sets
Family of four huddled on beach at sunset, silhouetted against pink and golden light
Woman and man hold hands, walking together on wet sand at soft golden hour
Woman and man embrace each other on beach during soft golden hour light
Couple walking on wet beach sand at soft golden hour, distant view with calm ocean
Boy and girl examine a seashell together on beach during golden sunset hour
Close-up side profile of boy in turquoise on beach, looking to the side
Family group of five on rocks on beach with red Hotel del Coronado building in background
Family of five silhouetted holding hands on wet sand during dramatic orange and red sunset
Five family members silhouetted hand in hand on wet beach during golden hour sunset

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