Trey and Julia had just moved to El Cajon when his family planned a visit from Texas. Trey’s mom and sister aren’t thrilled about them living so far away, but they’re definitely excited to have a new vacation spot—and a free place to stay! With all these Texas A&M Aggies together in San Diego, surprising Mom with beach photos felt like the perfect way to mark the trip.
We captured a mix of group shots, couples portraits, and playful moments—including a favorite of Trey and Julia dancing in the waves. The two met while two-stepping with friends, so that image brought back sweet memories from the early days of their relationship.
The night ended with a barefoot walk through the streets of San Diego, thanks to a little mishap with the beach shower. Trey may have skipped over my pre-session prep email, so everyone showed up in socks and shoes (instead of the suggested flip-flops). Then came the discovery: the Crystal Pier beach showers are full-body sprayers—no foot rinse in sight. After a few surprise soakings and a lot of laughter, they made the walk back to the car wet, sandy, and very barefoot. A memorable finish, to say the least.
Tight-knit, loving, and just the right amount of competitive, the Cole crew was such a joy to photograph. While the move from Texas was a big change, Trey and Julia are already finding their rhythm (and their favorite restaurants) in San Diego—with Born and Raised reserved for special occasions, and The Grinder in El Cajon as a casual go-to.
Check out more about Trey’s work with college students at Shadow Mountain’s College Ministry. And if you’re ready to capture your own milestone—whether planned or spontaneous—I’d love to help you tell your story.




































