Marina Family Photographer
Marina sits on Monterey Bay just north of the Peninsula, and its stretch of coast is one of my favorite places on the whole bay. Fort Ord Dunes State Park has nearly four miles of open beach backed by rolling sand dunes, so you get that big, wild coastal feel with plenty of room to wander.
I'm Britt, a Marina family and maternity photographer working across Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove and Big Sur. Sessions here are slow and unstructured. We walk along the water, the wind does its thing, and nobody has to say cheese. What you get back looks like you, not a set of poses.
Fort Ord Dunes State Park
My favorite spot in Marina is Fort Ord Dunes. It's a state park, with dune habitat and undeveloped seashore right along the bay, and from the sand it feels a long way from anywhere. (If you're still deciding on a town, there are pages for Pacific Grove, Carmel and Big Sur too.)
The beach
Wide, open sand that runs for miles. This is the spot for walking along the water, a slow dance, a twirl, and kids who need room to run. There's no shortage of space, so it never feels crowded in the frame.
The dunes
The dunes rise right up behind the beach, and at sunset they glow warm behind you. They're protected habitat, so we stay on the trails and the sand, and use the dunes as the backdrop rather than climbing them. It's one of the things I love most about shooting here: two completely different looks without moving more than a few steps.
The light, and when to come
The beach faces west across Monterey Bay, so sunset is the time to be here. The light drops right over the water and turns everything gold, then soft and pink once the sun is down. The park is open for day use from 8 AM to sunset, so evening sessions are timed to wrap as the light goes.
Evenings on this part of the coast are often breezy and cool, even in summer. A little wind in your hair looks gorgeous on camera, so I'd plan for it rather than fight it.
Maternity sessions at the dunes
Fort Ord Dunes is one of my favorite places on the Peninsula for maternity photos. The sand is soft and flat enough to walk comfortably, the light is warm, and there's room to just be together for a while. A good window is usually around 28 to 34 weeks, when the bump is showing and you're still comfortable walking in the sand.
Bring something meaningful if you have it. Ultrasound photos, baby shoes or a letter to your little one all make lovely detail shots. You can see a full sunset maternity session at Fort Ord Dunes in my journal.
Families and couples
The same wide beach that works so well for maternity sessions is great for families. Kids can run, dig and chase the waves without anyone worrying about rocks or tide pools, and couples get miles of sand with the dunes behind them.
It's just as lovely for motherhood sessions. There's a sunset motherhood session at Fort Ord Dunes in my journal, a mom and her little boy on the sand as the sun went down.
One thing to know: dogs aren't allowed on the beach or on the trails down to it, so this one is a people-only session. If your dog is part of the family photo, Carmel Beach is the place to go.
What to wear on this coast
Soft, neutral tones look timeless here. Creams, taupes, oatmeal and light denim blend right into the sand and dunes, and cozy knits photograph beautifully. Bring a layer for the breeze, leave the hairspray at home, and plan to go barefoot. Walking in the sand is easier, and it looks more relaxed. My what to wear guide for the Monterey coast has more ideas.
Getting there
Fort Ord Dunes State Park is in Marina, just off Highway 1. From the highway, exit Lightfighter Drive and head east, turn left on 2nd Avenue, then left on 9th Street to reach the park. Parts of the park are under construction for a new campground and some trails are detoured, so check the Fort Ord Dunes State Park page before you go. I'll send exact meeting details once we've picked a date.