Family Christmas Portraits on the Beach

Santa Hats in the Sand | Family Photos on Coronado

When families come back year after year, it’s one of the greatest compliments I can receive. This favorite family has been trusting me with their memories since 2016, back when their oldest was just a toddler.

Gabe is a CPA who loves flying small planes and captaining sailboats. Kendra is a devoted stay-at-home mom who bakes, cooks, and volunteers at Tiffany School. Their boys keep things lively: Elijah (11) is in Scouts, parkour gymnastics, and baseball. Maximilian (almost 9) loves math and is in parkour and catechism. Rafa (2nd grade) is creative —he loves to read and draw. And Sasha (5½) just started kindergarten at Marshall. The family is currently working toward getting Sasha enrolled in an exciting clinical trial for her PACS1 genetic syndrome.

This family is deeply rooted in San Diego. Gabe has lived here most of his life, and Kendra nearly half of hers. They’re college sweethearts who love their community, including their favorite tradition at Santa’s Treehouse in Jamul, where proceeds benefit families in need.

Kendra said we captured exactly what they hoped for: a good family photo! True to form, the boys went swimming during the shoot, because that’s what real families do. We ended with our signature Santa hat photo, all hand-knit by Kendra’s sister, Megan Peters.

Kendra and Gabe, thank you for coming back year after year. Your session is a cherished tradition for me, too!! Love you guys!

Family of six wading in shallow water on Coronado beach, holding hands
Young child Sasha in red dress with white collar on Coronado beach
Child Rafa in red patterned cardigan, close-up portrait on beach
Boy Maximilian in red patterned sweater and jeans, full-length on beach
Older boy Elijah in red patterned sweater and jeans standing on beach
Three boys playing and climbing on large rocks on Coronado beach
Sasha with arms outstretched in red dress on beach, Hotel del Coronado in background
Kendra holding young child Rafa in red sweater on beach at golden hour
Two boys holding hands playing in shallow water on Coronado beach
Family group of six adults and children on Coronado beach standing together
Three boys running and splashing in shallow water on Coronado beach
Three boys pulling a red toy wagon across wet sand on Coronado beach
Three family members silhouetted holding hands on beach at sunset
Kendra and child silhouetted at sunset on beach, swinging together
Family of six wearing hand-knit Santa hats on Coronado beach, Hotel in background
Gabe holding young child at golden hour on beach, both smiling
Family of six silhouetted holding hands on beach at dramatic sunset

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