Holiday Family Photos on the Monterey Peninsula: A Winter Guide

As the holidays get closer, I start getting a version of the same message: “We’ll all be in Monterey over the holidays for the first time in years. Is it crazy to try for family photos in December?”

It’s not crazy at all. Winter is a beautiful time to be photographed out here, and holiday family photos on the Monterey Peninsula have a feel you just can’t get the rest of the year. The light is softer, the air is clearer, and everyone is finally in the same place at the same time. There are just a few things that work a little differently this time of year, so here’s everything I’d want you to know before we plan.

Winter light on the coast is early, soft, and worth planning around

This is the big one. Once the clocks fall back in November, sunset on the Peninsula comes fast. For most of December the sun is down before 5pm, with the earliest sunsets of the year landing in the first week of the month at just under 4:55. By the end of January it has stretched back toward 5:30.

What that means for your session: winter evening sessions usually start somewhere between 3:15 and 4pm, so we finish right as the sky goes pink. If you’ve got little ones who nap in the afternoon, a morning session can work beautifully too, especially at spots like Garrapata that look great at both ends of the day.

The upside of that low winter sun is that it stays low the whole afternoon. It’s gentle and warm on faces, and it makes for some of the prettiest skin tones of the year.

What winter weather actually looks like out here

Winter is our rainy season, but it isn’t gray the way June is. Storms tend to roll through for a day or two and then clear out, and the days right after a storm are some of the crispest, clearest days we get all year. The ocean is a deeper blue, the hills start turning green, and you can see all the way across the bay.

If rain shows up in the forecast for your date, I’ll keep an eye on it with you and we’ll talk a day or two ahead about the best plan. If you’re only in town for a short holiday stay, try to leave yourself one backup evening if you can.

My favorite spots for holiday family photos in Monterey

A few that shine in the winter, and why:

• Carmel River Beach. My go-to for families. A short walk from the car, soft sand, and the lagoon catches the winter sky in the late afternoon. If you’re staying in town, my Carmel-by-the-Sea family photographer page has more on what a session there looks like.
• Pacific Grove. The bay-side beaches around Lovers Point face north, so they’re tucked away from our usual northwest wind. That makes them a great pick on a breezy winter evening or when grandparents are joining. More on my Pacific Grove family photographer page.
• Fort Ord Dunes in Marina. Big open dunes, soft grasses, and a wide, quiet beach. There’s a bit of a walk, so it’s best for families with kids who can handle some sand. Here’s my Marina family photographer page if you want to see it.
• Garrapata in Big Sur. Bluffs, stairs down to the sand, and that dramatic Big Sur coastline. It works at sunrise and sunset, which makes it a great morning option in winter. More on my Big Sur family photographer page.

If you’re not sure which one fits your crew, just tell me everyone’s ages and where you’re staying and I’ll pick for you. I also have a longer list in my guide to the best family photo locations on the Monterey Peninsula.

A little winter bonus: the monarchs in Pacific Grove

If you’re visiting over the holidays, you’re here at the same time as the monarch butterflies. They overwinter at the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary from about mid-October to mid-February, and November through January is their peak. It’s a sweet, easy outing to pair with a session, especially if we shoot in Pacific Grove that same day. Just know it’s a protected sanctuary, so stay on the paths and leave the dog at home for that part.

What to wear for winter family photos on the beach

Winter is the one time of year I tell families to lean into slightly deeper colors. Think cream and oatmeal with one richer tone like rust, olive, navy, or deep green. Chunky knits, long dresses with a sweater over top, and textured layers all photograph beautifully against the winter ocean.

Most importantly, bring a warm layer for every single person, even if the afternoon feels mild. It cools off quickly once the sun drops, and cozy kids are happy kids. A blanket for babies is never a bad idea. If you want more ideas, I have a whole post on what to wear to a beach family session on the Monterey coast.

Planning around a holiday trip

A lot of families who book over the holidays are here for a short visit with grandparents, cousins, and everyone in between. A few things that make it easier:

• Book before you arrive. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is a popular time for visiting families, so it’s worth getting your date on the calendar early.
• Give bigger groups a little more time. Extended family sessions go by fast. With a lot of people, we need room for the full group, each family on its own, and the grandkids with their grandparents.
• Pick a spot close to where you’re staying. Holiday traffic on the Peninsula is real, and nobody wants to start a session after a long drive with tired kids.

You can see session options and what’s included on my details page. Sessions start at $447.

Ready when you are

If your family is going to be together on the Monterey Peninsula this winter, I’d love to be the one who gets to photograph you. Send me a note through my contact page with everyone’s ages, the dates you’ll be in town, and where you’re staying, and I’ll come back with a location and time that actually works for your people.

You can also just text me at 831-328-3113 if that’s easier. Totally fine either way.

Warmly,
Brittany