Pismo Beach. The name alone conjures images of crowded boardwalks, waffle cones dripping with melting ice cream, and the constant soundtrack of seagulls. I’ve historically steered clear of it for sessions—too many people, too unpredictable, and, to be honest, I’ve never spent enough time there to figure out the lighting. And if you’re a photographer, you know light is our best friend… or, when it’s harsh and unforgiving, our arch-nemesis.
So when Eliana’s session rolled around, I braced myself. It was a bright and sunny Friday evening, and the crowds were already claiming their spots. Honestly, what were we expecting? A private beach?
But here’s the thing about Eliana—she was unstoppable. No light too bright, no shade too elusive. She radiated confidence, making every setup feel like a breeze. We kicked things off under the iconic Pismo Beach pier, and let me tell you, the way the sun danced on those waves was nothing short of magic. Like, “Is this a Nicholas Sparks movie?” kind of magic. After capturing some dreamy shots under the pier, we ventured out to explore less sun-drenched spots. Surprisingly, finding great locations wasn’t as tricky as I feared. We stumbled across swings that brought out her playful side, beautiful driftwood nestled in the ice plant, and that classic Pismo backdrop that just screams “quintessential California.”
As the sun started its slow descent, we headed back to the ocean. The golden hour at Pismo is a bit of a game of chicken. Will it hit the horizon in all its glory, or will a rogue fog bank crash the party? Thankfully, the sun played nice, and Eliana? She glowed like a literal goddess on the pier. Sure, we had to wait for some tourists to clear the frame (a universal photographer struggle), but it was worth it. The sunset delivered. Eliana, you made Pismo Beach look easy, and that’s no small feat. Congratulations on your next chapter—I know you’re going to shine just as brightly as the sun that day!
