I can’t think of a better way to spend winter than in Florida. Call me crazy, but I’d much prefer traveling to a romantic, snow-covered town for a week rather than living without sun for months on end. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons we moved to Florida. I remember sitting in my Virginia loft, mesmerized by the beautiful fields and mountains, and yet longing for bright winter light accompanied by 60° weather.

The shores of sunny Florida welcomed me with open arms this winter. With the landscape ripe for the most stunning, heirloom portraits painted in clean, bright, golden light, I met with Dave, Jess, and their two little ones to document an evening on the beach. Jess is an extremely talented and well-known film photographer herself (view her work here), so to say it was a dream come true to document her family is an understatement. We climbed rocks, ventured onto docks, searched for shells, and cuddled up close.

I feel calm and freedom and like time was utterly on our side when I view these images. Like there were no cares in the world that windy, crisp evening. Like all that mattered was the people we spend this life with, the way we love those entrusted to our care. My hope is each family session I’m a part of leaves us all feeling a bit more like that.

 

 

 

Xo, Michela