Sunshine, Florals, and Cottagecore: A Fall Fairytale Couples Session in San Diego, California
Ah, fall in Southern California — where the leaves don’t turn golden, the pumpkin spice lattes are iced, and florals are a year-round staple. When it comes to capturing those autumn vibes, we might not get the crimson leaves, but we definitely know how to rock a floral, cottagecore aesthetic.
Fernando and Sunshine brought their A-game, radiating warmth and genuine affection. They were a dream to photograph and every frame felt like it had fallen straight out of a storybook. Sunshine — who, fittingly, is a talented florist — provided the stunning floral arrangement and she knocked it out of the park. Paired with the romantic, soft hues of fall and cozy vibes, we brought a fairytale to life.
But let me back up a bit. This whole thing started thanks to my wonderful friend Kylie Bady, who I met in the most modern way possible — TikTok. Kylie reached out for photography tips and I informed her of a photography meetup happening in San Diego. We both went not knowing the other was going, too. Kylie says she is my biggest fan and I have to say the feeling is mutual. She is one of the kindest, friendliest, most goal-oriented people I have ever met. Not only has her photography drastically improved due to her hard work, she has networked her ass off, styled shoots for her friends and with other vendors, and built a business to be proud of. Check out her work here!
It’s easy to get so caught up in the business of being a full-time photographer that sometimes, you forget to just play. This is not to say I don’t feel love and joy when photographing for my clients because I 1000% do. I adore my career and can’t believe it’s not a dream that I get to do this every day. However, it is tricky balancing photography fulfilling someone else’s vision and shooting just for the heck of it. Shoots designed with only one goal in mind — to get creative juices flowing — are crucial for so many reasons. Not only is it an opportunity to learn and grow as an artist, but it keeps the passion alive which is brought to each and every client shoot making each one that much better.
I have found a sense of community in San Diego I never thought possible, especially amongst artists and business owners. The San Diego photography scene is one of the most welcoming and supportive, and creative spaces you could ask for. Whether it’s a casual meetup or a styled shoot like this, everyone lifts each other up. We’ve all got our own clients, projects, and businesses, but when it’s time to collaborate, it’s all about celebrating the creativity that brought us here in the first place.
At the end of the day, it’s all about loving what you do and the people you surround yourself with. Sessions like this remind me exactly why I picked up a camera in the first place. Thank you Kylie for organizing this shoot, Sunshine and Fernando for being amazing models (my camera won’t shut up about y’all), and everyone else who attended and brought such amazing ideas and vibes.
