Masha and Mick reached out not long after moving from Colorado to San Diego. Newly married, newly settled, and ready to soak in this new season together. They wanted something that felt meaningful to their unique love story, not posed or performative. A chance to pause and document what this chapter looks and feels like right now. Their love story session at Solana Beach became the perfect way to do just that.
When they told me their story, it immediately struck a chord, leaving behind familiarity for something unknown but full of excitement. It’s a feeling I think many of us can relate to. There’s something powerful about honoring that transition through imagery; letting the light, the ocean, and the landscape become part of the story itself.
Masha had first found my work through my cinematic photography style: drawn to the emotion, movement, and moody tones that make a moment feel alive. But what made this collaboration extra special was our shared language. We are both Russian speakers, and that simple connection made everything feel effortless. Between translations, laughter, and stories about adjusting to San Diego life, the session flowed naturally from the start.
We began the evening with warm light spilling across the cliffs; Masha in soft neutrals that caught every bit of glow, Mick beside her, calm and steady. That first part of the session was all about ease: hands brushing, quiet smiles, the kind of connection that doesn’t need direction.
As the tide crept in and the sun sank lower, they changed for their second look and stepped straight into the water. The mood instantly shifted to a less polished, more raw scene. The ocean wrapped around them, fabric floating, light reflecting off the waves in this surreal, painterly way. There was laughter and stillness, chaos and calm all at once.
Solana Beach is one of those rare places that gives you everything: cliffs, reflections, soft tide pools, and open space to just be. The light here changes by the minute, golden warmth melting into muted blues, each tone tells a different part of the story. That is what I love about sessions like this one. They aren’t about grand gestures or styled perfection. They are about documenting a fleeting season with honesty. This love story session at Solana Beach wasn’t about creating something new; it was about recognizing what’s already there.
By the time the last bit of light disappeared, Masha and Mick were waist-deep in the ocean, laughing like they’d known this place forever. The city lights had started to flicker in the distance, the air smelled like salt and summer, and the whole scene felt cinematic — quiet, but alive.
It was less about posing and more about presence. About what it means to begin again, to make somewhere new feel like home, and to let love be the constant thread. Their love story session at Solana Beach was the perfect visual journal entry. Creating a lasting memory of the first chapter in their San Diego story, written in the coastal sunlight.
Interested in booking your own cinematic love story session, inquire here.
