Crystal cove photographer

Crystal Cove Multi-Generational Session | Extended Family Photos in Newport Beach, CA | Cori Kleckner Photography | OC Family Photographer

The Pontius Family | Crystal Cove Multi-Generational Session | Extended Family Photos in Newport Beach, CA | Cori Kleckner Photography | OC Family Photographer| Newport Beach Family Vacation Photographer

Extended Family Photos at Crystal Cove State Beach

When families book extended family photos at Crystal Cove, my goal is always the same: to create a full gallery that feels complete, not rushed.

We capture the classic full-group portraits, but we also take the time to document all the smaller groupings that matter just as much. Because years from now, you won’t just want the photo where everyone is standing in a line.

You’ll want Grandma hugging the grandkids. Cousins running together on the sand. Adult siblings laughing like they’re kids again. And each individual family unit having their own portraits, without needing to book a separate session.

One of the biggest concerns families have when booking an extended family session is whether they’ll still get enough photos of their own family. And that concern makes total sense. When you’re coordinating schedules, travel, outfits, and the effort of getting everyone there, you want it to feel worth it.

That’s why I always break the session down intentionally, so nothing gets missed. We photograph the full group, each individual family unit, each set of grandparents with the grandkids, the grandparents together, adult siblings together both with and without their kids, couples together, cousin photos of just the kids, sibling photos, parent and child portraits, individual portraits of each child, and a mix of candid moments throughout.

And while I always do my best to get everyone looking for the more “classic” portraits, my favorite images almost always end up being the candid ones. The in-between moments are the ones that bring the most joy later. I love when clients get their photos back and realize those are the images they cannot stop looking at, because they feel the most like them.

You’re not just getting one big group shot. You’re getting a full story.

Because the truth is, these are the photos your kids and grandkids will keep forever. And I want you to have them beautifully, fully, and in a way that feels like you.

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

Crystal Cove Sunset Family Session | Newport Beach Family Photographer | Cori Kleckner Photography

The Ordway Family | Family Photos at Crystal Cove State Beach | Sunset Family Session | Newport Beach Family Photographer | Cori Kleckner Photography

The Ordway family’s session took place along the coastline at Crystal Cove State Beach, one of the most beautiful spots in Orange County for natural, timeless family photos. With the cliffs, soft sand, and wide open views, Crystal Cove is the kind of location that instantly makes everything feel peaceful and cinematic. As a Newport Beach family photographer, I love photographing families in this area because it’s close to Newport, has so much variety in one spot. We captured a mix of sunset portraits and sweet, candid moments with their baby boy, and even had the moon sitting perfectly in the background for a few images. If you’re looking for Crystal Cove State Beach family photos or searching for a Newport Beach family photographer who specializes in natural, documentary-inspired family sessions, I would love to photograph your family here.

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

The Hite Family | Family Photos at Crystal Cove State Beach | Newport Beach Family Photographer |Cori Kleckner Photography

The Hite Family | Family Photos at Crystal Cove State Beach | Newport Beach Family Photographer | Cori Kleckner Photography

What to Expect During a Beach Family Session

If you’ve ever worried your kids won’t “behave” for photos, I promise you’re not alone. Most families feel that way going into their session. The truth is, the best family photos don’t come from perfect behavior. They come from movement, laughter, snuggles, and little moments that happen in between.

During this session, we kept things simple. We started with a few classic family images, then moved into more natural prompts so the kids could relax. Some of the sweetest photos came from the moments where the kids were exploring the shoreline, holding hands, or running back to their parents.

That’s the beauty of photographing families at the beach. It naturally creates a session that feels like a memory.

Wardrobe Tips for Beach Family Photos in Orange County

One of the biggest things that impacts how your photos look is wardrobe. As an Orange County family photographer, I always recommend keeping outfits soft, neutral, and cohesive without being overly matchy.

Here are a few wardrobe tips that photograph beautifully in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach:

  • Cream, beige, tan, soft browns

  • Soft blues, muted sage, dusty rose

  • Linen textures and flowy fabrics

  • Barefoot or neutral sandals

  • Avoiding bright neon, heavy logos, or bold patterns

The goal is to keep the focus on your family, not the clothing. Neutrals also reflect the beach light beautifully and help keep skin tones looking warm and natural.


Book Your Newport Beach Family Photographer

If you’ve been searching for a Newport Beach family photographer, a Newport photographer, or a Laguna Beach family photographer, I would love to photograph your family.

I offer family sessions throughout Orange County, including Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, and surrounding coastal areas. I also offer maternity and newborn photography, but I do only take on a limited number of newborn clients each month to ensure flexibility on the calendar when babies make their debut.

To inquire about availability, you can reach out through my contact page, and I’ll help you choose the best location, timing, and wardrobe for your session.

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

The Chang Family | Crystal Cove Family Photos | Newport Beach Family Session | Orange County Family Photographer

The Chang Family | Crystal Cove Family Photos | Newport Beach Family Photographer | Orange County Family Photographer


Crystal Cove Family Photos with a One-Year-Old | Newport Beach Family Photographer

This Crystal Cove family session with the Chang family was such a sweet reminder of how quickly the first year goes by. Their baby girl just turned one, and this stage is one of my favorites to photograph. If you’re looking for a Newport Beach family photographer or Newport Beach baby photographer, this is such a perfect age to document because your baby is full of personality, curiosity, and those little expressions you never want to forget.

Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach is one of the best locations in Orange County for family photos, especially for families with young kids. The open space, soft coastal light, and natural scenery make sessions feel relaxed and effortless, without needing stiff posing. It’s also a great spot for one-year-old milestone photos because there’s room to move, cuddle, and let your little one explore while I capture the real moments in between.

For this session, we focused on a mix of classic family portraits and candid connection. We captured sweet snuggles, walking along the shoreline, and playful moments with their one-year-old as she took in everything around her. These are the kinds of family photos that become more meaningful as time passes because they don’t just show what your family looked like, they capture what this season felt like.

If you’re searching for Crystal Cove family photos in Newport Beach and you want a session that feels natural, timeless, and full of connection, I’d love to photograph your family. This is such a special stage of life, and it deserves to be documented in a way that feels beautiful and true to you.

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

Extended Family Photo Session | The Tom Family | Generational Family Photos | Crystal Cove State Beach | Cori Kleckner Photography

Extended Family Photo Session | The Tom Family | Generational Family Photos | Crystal Cove State Beach | Cori Kleckner Photography

If you’re planning an extended family photo session at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach, you might be wondering how it all works. How do we get the big group shot? What combinations will we photograph? Will each family get their own portraits too?

The answer is yes, and I’m very intentional about it. When families book an extended family session with me like this one at Crystal Cove State Park, my goal is always to create a full gallery that feels complete. That means we absolutely capture the full extended family portrait, but we also take the time to photograph all the smaller groupings that matter just as much.

During your session, I’ll guide you through a variety of combinations so nothing important gets missed. We’ll capture grandparents with the grandkids, each individual family unit, cousins together, adult sibling photos, couples if desired, and smaller groupings like aunts and uncles with the kids. I also make sure each family walks away with their own portraits, including parent and child photos and individual images of the kids, so you don’t feel like you only received the big group shot.

Extended family sessions can sound overwhelming, but my approach is organized while still relaxed. Crystal Cove is one of my favorite Newport Beach locations for large family sessions because it gives us beautiful light, open space, and a timeless coastal backdrop, while still allowing kids to move naturally and families to feel comfortable. When you’re coordinating schedules, travel, and outfits, you want it to be worth it, and my goal is for your Crystal Cove extended family session to feel meaningful, easy, and beautifully documented for generations.

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

Crystal Cove Family Session | Newport Beach, CA | Orange County Family Photographer | Cori Kleckner Photography

Crystal Cove Family Session | Newport Beach, CA | Orange County Family Photographer | Cori Kleckner Photography

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

San Clemente Beach Family Session | The Geer Family | Orange County Family Photographer | Cori Kleckner Photography

San Clemente Beach Family Session | The Geer Family | Orange County Family Photographer | Cori Kleckner Photography

This session with the Geer Family at San Clemente Beach was one of my all-time favorites. Despite the overcast sky, the photos turned out absolutely stunning. It just goes to show how beautiful a cloudy day can be for capturing family moments. The soft, natural light of a cloudy day at the beach creates a timeless, serene backdrop, and I love how this session perfectly captured the natural, loving bond between the Geer family.

As an Orange County family photographer, one of my favorite things about shooting on the beaches of San Clemente is the versatility that the location offers. Whether it’s the rolling waves, the iconic lifeguard towers, or the expansive stretches of sand, every element combines to create the perfect canvas for family photography. The Geer Family was such a joy to work with, and their two little ones had so much fun exploring the sand and surf.

If you’re looking for a San Clemente family photographer or want to book a San Clemente Beach family session, don’t hesitate to reach out. I love helping families capture these special moments at the beach, no matter the weather. From the gentle shoreline to the coastal cliffs, Orange County beach sessions always result in beautiful, natural portraits that will be cherished for years to come.

Let me help you preserve these precious family memories with an Orange County family photography session that captures the love, joy, and connection your family shares.

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

The Knowles Family | Newport Beach Family Photos | Newport Beach Family Photographer | Cori Kleckner Photographer

The Knowles Family | Newport Beach Family Photos | Newport Beach Family Photographer | Cori Kleckner Photographer

 

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

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

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

 

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