Golden Hour at the Tidepools

There's something about Corona del Mar that just feels like a senior session. The rocky shoreline, the way the light hits the water in the late afternoon, the smell of salt air — it's the kind of backdrop that doesn't need much help. When Audrey's mom reached out about her senior portraits, I knew immediately where we needed to shoot.

A Setting That Does the Work

The Corona del Mar Tidepools are one of those hidden gems that locals know and visitors discover once and never forget. Tucked just below the bluffs at the eastern end of Newport Beach, the rocky shoreline opens up into these incredible natural formations. Pools of still water reflecting the sky, textured stone in every shade of amber and slate, and the Pacific stretching out endlessly behind it all. For senior portraits, it's basically a dream. No two sessions look the same out here, and that's exactly the point.

We started shooting in the late afternoon, chasing that golden hour light that rolls in soft and warm off the water. By the time the sun started dropping toward the horizon, everything was glowing — her skin, the tide pools, the kelp-covered rocks. That's the magic of shooting in Corona del Mar. You don't manufacture the mood. You just show up and let the location do what it does.

More Than Just Pretty Pictures

Senior portraits are one of those sessions that matter more than most people expect them to. You're not just capturing what someone looks like at 17 or 18 — you're capturing who they are right now. The confidence, the anticipation, the slight nervousness that gives way to something real the moment they forget the camera is there. That's what I'm always chasing, and the Corona del Mar shoreline has a way of pulling it out of people. Something about being near the ocean just makes people breathe differently.

For the Class of 2027, this is a chapter worth documenting. Whether you're heading to a UC campus, an out-of-state school, or figuring out your next move, this season of life goes fast, and these images are the ones you'll actually want to look back on.

The Film Difference

Film photography is included in every session — and at a location like Corona del Mar, it truly shines. The warm tones, rich colors, and natural grain of 35mm film render coastal light in a way that feels timeless rather than trendy. These are the images that end up framed, the ones that look just as good twenty years from now as they do today.

Every gallery includes a mix of digital and film images delivered together, giving your final collection a depth and range that's hard to match. If you've been seeing film portraits on Pinterest or Instagram and wondering if they're worth it — they are, and it's included from the start.

Newport Beach Senior Portraits: What to Expect

If you're a Newport Beach senior (or a parent trying to figure out the whole process), here's what a tidepool session typically looks like:

We meet at the Corona del Mar State Beach parking lot in the late afternoon, usually 90 minutes to two hours before sunset. Sessions run about an hour, plus factoring in the time to walk to and from our cars. I consult on style tips beforehand so you're not guessing on outfit choices. The rocky terrain means we plan footwear accordingly, and I always scout the tide schedule in advance so we're working with the water, not against it. The result is a session that feels natural, editorial, and completely yours.

Ready to Book Your Class of 2027 Session?

I have a limited number of senior portrait sessions available for the Class of 2027, and Newport Beach and Corona del Mar dates fill up fast — especially in spring and fall when the light is at its best. If you've been thinking about it, now is the time to reach out.

→ Click here to inquire about your session

Sessions are available throughout Orange County, with specialty locations in Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, and beyond. Let's make something worth keeping.