Golden Hour Family Photos at Ventura Beach Pier | Laini Photo

I met the Arroyo family on one of those summer evenings where everything just feels right. The sun was low, casting a soft golden haze over the Ventura Beach Pier, and the ocean breeze added just enough movement to the scene to make it feel alive. There’s something about Ventura Beach that brings out the best in people, it’s relaxed, a little wild, and always full of magic. And this session? It was all of that and more.

The Arroyos are local, which always makes things extra special. They know the area, they’re comfortable here, and they came ready to have a good time. When they booked, they took advantage of my summer special, $100 off or 10 extra images, and from the second we started shooting, I knew we were about to create something special. This family brought the energy I live for. Loud, funny, unpredictable... the kind of chaos that makes a photo session actually feel like a memory being made.

I always tell my clients that they don’t have to do anything except show up and be themselves. The rest is my job. That philosophy worked perfectly with the Arroyos. We kept things moving, but never forced. A little direction here and there (like where the light was hitting just right, or how to get in closer for a moment) but mostly, I let them do their thing. And they did. Kids running barefoot through the sand, laughter bouncing off the waves, parents trying to keep up but laughing the whole time… that’s the stuff I live for.

One of my favorite moments from the session was when one of the kids tried to outrun a wave and lost. Completely soaked, sand everywhere, and the biggest grin on their face. It was one of those moments you can't plan for, but when it happens, you just know it’s going to end up in a frame on someone’s wall. Those are the images that say, “This is who we really are,” and I think that’s way more powerful than anything perfectly posed.

Ventura Beach Pier always delivers, especially during golden hour. We started near the water, where the sky was still soft and blue, then wandered under the pier where the light danced between the beams and made everything feel cinematic. I love the way the pier gives structure to the wide-open beach, it frames people in such a beautiful way, while still letting all that natural beauty shine. It’s my favorite kind of backdrop: simple, dynamic, and never the same twice.

The Arroyos leaned into the experience. They laughed freely, held each other close, chased their kids through the foam, and made it easy to capture something real. I could see how much love lived in this family, the kind that doesn’t need perfect smiles or matching outfits to show up in the photos. It’s there in the way a parent brushes hair out of their child’s face, or how everyone ends up barefoot and a little messy by the end of the shoot.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, we had captured a full story. Not just a few good photo, a whole gallery of little moments that, together, paint a picture of this family at this exact season of life. And that’s what I always aim for. You don’t just get a set of pretty images, you get a glimpse into your family’s connection, your laughter, your chaos, and your love.

The full online gallery is live now, and it’s one of those collections that makes me want to send out a thousand “thank you” texts for letting me be a part of it. You can view it below, and I hope you can feel the energy in each image. It’s warm and honest and full of motion, just the way I like it.

If you’ve been thinking about a family session, now is the time. Summer light is unbeatable, the beach is perfect, and I still have some spots available. I’m keeping the $100 off or 10 extra images deal going for just a little while longer. You can book directly at lainiphoto.com/booking: super simple, just pick your date and I’ll take it from there.

You don’t have to plan a perfect session. You don’t have to bring the most well-behaved kids or have a Pinterest board of poses ready. All you need is a little trust, a beach, and the willingness to be present with your people. I’ll handle the rest. I’ll direct when needed, but I’ll mostly stay out of the way and let you make memories.

That’s what the Arroyo family did, and now they have this gorgeous gallery to remember it by. Messy, golden, joyful, real. And I hope we get to create the same for you soon.