Orange County Family Phot

Newport Beach Family Session | The Richie Family | Cori Kleckner Photography | Orange County Family Photographer |

Newport Beach Family Session | The Richie Family | Cori Kleckner Photography | Orange County Family Photographer


A Relaxed Family Session on the Flat Sands of Newport Beach

There’s something timeless about a family session at the beach especially when the light softens, the crowds thin, and the day begins to slow down. The Ritchie family’s Newport Beach family session was exactly that kind of evening.

Katie and Nick arrived at the flat sands near the jetty in Newport Beach with Luca and Indie just as the sun began to dip behind the lifeguard towers. The light was warm and golden, the breeze gentle, and the setting felt effortless , the kind of environment that allows families to simply be together.

One of my favorite things about photographing families in Newport Beach is the variety it offers in one location. The jetty, the wide open sand, the lifeguard towers, and the shoreline all create a natural flow for movement and connection , especially for kids.

Luca and Indie had plenty of room to explore, run, and play, which always leads to the most authentic moments. Instead of stiff posing, this session focused on connection , walking together along the shoreline, snuggling in close as the sun set, and letting the kids be themselves.

This style of Newport Beach family photography allows space for real interaction and genuine emotion, which is what makes images feel meaningful years later.

Golden Hour Light & Coastal Textures

As the sun dropped lower, the light wrapped around the Ritchie family beautifully. Newport Beach sunsets are unmatched , soft, glowing, and flattering in a way that feels cinematic without being forced.

The neutral tones of the sand, the ocean, and the iconic lifeguard towers paired perfectly with the family’s wardrobe, creating a timeless coastal look that will never feel dated. These are the kinds of family photos that belong on walls, in albums, and passed down , not just posted once and forgotten.

Why Newport Beach Is Perfect for Family Photos

Newport Beach is one of the most requested locations for family sessions in Orange County, and for good reason. The wide beaches offer space for kids to move freely, while the natural scenery creates a calm, organic backdrop.

Family sessions here are ideal for:

  • Young children who need room to move

  • Families wanting candid, documentary-style photos

  • Parents who want a relaxed experience without pressure

  • Sunset sessions with soft, natural light

The Ritchie family session is a perfect example of how Newport Beach family photography can feel effortless, emotional, and deeply personal.

My approach to family photography is always rooted in storytelling. I focus on the in-between moments , the laughter, the quiet connection, the way parents naturally reach for their kids. These are the moments that matter most.

Katie and Nick were fully present with Luca and Indie, allowing the session to unfold naturally. That presence is what made this Newport Beach family session feel so special.

Now Booking Newport Beach Family Sessions

If you’re looking for a Newport Beach family photographer who focuses on real connection, natural light, and timeless imagery, I’d love to help you plan your session.

Family sessions are available year-round in Newport Beach, with sunset sessions offering the most beautiful light. Each session is designed to feel relaxed, unposed, and meaningful , capturing your family exactly as you are in this season.


CORI KLECKNER PHOTOGRAPHY IS AN ORANGE COUNTY PHOTOGRAPHER SPECIALIZING IN MATERNITY, NEWBORN, BABY, FAMILY, CHILDREN’S AND LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY


Nostalgic Backyard Family Session with Chickens | Orange County Lifestyle Photographer | Michelle+Landon+Liam | Lifestyle Session with Chickens and Baby Chicks | Cori Kleckner Photography

Nostalgic Backyard Family Session with Chickens | Orange County Lifestyle Photographer | Michelle+Landon+Liam | Lifestyle Session with Chickens and Baby Chicks | Cori Kleckner Photography


I’ve had the honor of photographing both of these boys since they were newborns, and watching them grow, watching the way they move through their world now, feels like flipping through the pages of a story I’ve been lucky enough to document from the beginning.

We let the morning unfold outdoors in their yard, under trees, alongside free-roaming chickens and laughter. Liam rode his little John Deere tractor like a pro, scooping up baby chicks and hauling them around like old friends. Landon climbed trees barefoot, wild and free, with that kind of ease that only childhood allows.

We photographed the baby chicks separately, since they were still too little to safely be around the older hens.

The vision for this session was rooted in nostalgia. I drew inspiration from vintage motherhood imagery, something timeless, like 1940s farm life but modernized in a soft, documentary way. Michelle wore a classic Doen blouse. Liam in denim Zara overalls and, not to be dramatic, but I’m pretty sure Zara Kids owes him a check. Somebody call them. He’s ready.

Climbing trees, chasing chickens, barefoot in the grass—this is the kind of childhood I love to photograph. The kind that doesn’t need posing or prompts. The kind that exists whether I’m there or not.

Why these sessions matter: legacy, honest childhood, storytelling that lives on long after the perfect poses fade.

This is the work I want to make more space for.

The kind that’s quiet.

The kind that holds.

The kind that says, this is what our life looked like.

Warning: I will be oversharing this session unapologetically.


CORI KLECKNER PHOTOGRAPHY IS AN ORANGE COUNTY PHOTOGRAPHER SPECIALIZING IN MATERNITY, NEWBORN, BABY, FAMILY, CHILDREN’S AND LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY