Foggy to Golden: A Family Sunset Session at Garrapata State Park, Big Sur

Some sessions go exactly to plan. The best ones give you something better. The Kim family met me at Garrapata State Park, on the northern edge of Big Sur, for a sunset family session, and the coast gave us two sessions in one: soft, moody fog to start, then warm golden light by sunset.

Mom, Dad and their three boys brought so much fun to the beach. There was racing through the sand, dodging waves, and plenty of hugs. It was a joy to photograph a family this comfortable being silly together.

Starting in the Big Sur fog

When we arrived, the marine layer was sitting right on the beach. The bluffs faded into gray and the ocean blended into the sky. Plenty of families would worry at this point, but fog is one of my favorite things to photograph on the Big Sur coast.

Fog works like a giant softbox. The light is even and flattering, nobody is squinting, and the muted tones let the family’s colors carry the frame. The Kims’ creams, sage and soft yellows looked beautiful against it.

We spent this part of the session playing at the water’s edge and exploring the rocks below the bluffs. The boys also got a few brother portraits in, arms slung around each other.

Then the fog rolled back for sunset

As sunset got closer, the fog started lifting. Blue sky opened up over the hills, the waves turned bright, and warm light spilled across the sand. Watching the coast appear around us felt like a little show put on just for this family.

We finished up on the bluffs, where the evening glow lit up the coastal scrub. Those last few minutes gave us some of my favorite frames of the night: real laughs, big squeezes, and a family completely wrapped up in each other.

Tips for your own Garrapata family session

• Don’t cancel for fog. Coastal fog is common here, especially in summer and early fall. It often lifts or thins near sunset, and even when it doesn’t, it makes soft, dreamy photos.
• Plan for sunset. I schedule Garrapata sessions to end right around sunset so we catch the golden light on the bluffs.
• Go barefoot. The beach is sandy and the water’s edge is half the fun. Bring a towel for the drive home.
• Pick soft, earthy colors. Creams, sage, tan and muted yellow blend beautifully with the bluffs, sand and fog, just like the Kims’ outfits. My beach session style guide has more ideas.
• Bring layers. It can be cool and breezy on the coast until the sun comes out.
• Allow extra drive time. Parking is at roadside pullouts along Highway 1, and they can fill up on busy evenings.

Garrapata is one of my favorite spots on this stretch of coast. It’s also where Nick and Patrycja got engaged at sunset. You can see more of the area on my Big Sur family photos page.

Thank you, Kim family

Thank you for trusting me with your evening and for rolling with the fog so happily. Your boys’ energy and the love between all five of you made this session such a joy.

Dreaming of your own Big Sur family session? I’d love to help you plan it. Get in touch here and let’s find your perfect sunset.