Montage Laguna Beach Family Photographer – Solovyev Session

FAMILY PHOTOS AT MONTAGE LAGUNA BEACH

"Father spins son in a playful moment on Laguna Beach, California.

It had been a couple of years since I last photographed the Solovyev family, so seeing how much the kids had grown was the highlight of my week. For this session, we chose the Montage Laguna Beach as our backdrop.

Why the Montage? Unlike the wilder, rockier parts of the coast, the Montage offers that perfect mix of manicured gardens and accessible beach. It is one of the best spots in Orange County for families who want a luxury resort vibe combined with the natural beauty of the Pacific. The walking paths make it easy to transition from greenery to sand without a long hike—perfect for keeping high energy levels with kids.

Solovyev family portrait in Laguna Beach. Family photography by Venya Manzyuk.

Why the Montage Laguna Beach is Perfect for Family Portraits

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: GREENERY & SAND

Unlike rugged beaches where you have to hike down steep cliffs, the Montage offers manicured gardens right next to the sea. We started on the walking paths with the Solovyevs to get clean, classic portraits before ever touching the sand. It’s the perfect compromise for families who want the iconic Laguna beach look but want to keep their shoes clean and outfits crisp for the first half of the session.

Brother and sister hug at sunset on Laguna Beach, California.

FLATTERING LIGHT LONG BEFORE SUNSET

One of the biggest challenges at the beach is harsh glare, but the cliffs and resort architecture here provide "open shade" well before the sun actually dips below the horizon. This allowed us to shoot comfortably with the kids without anyone squinting. We captured that soft, painterly light on the bluffs first, saving the dramatic golden hour sun for the shoreline at the very end.

Family beach portrait at Montage Resort, California. Capture your vacation memories with Venya Manzyuk.

A RELAXED, "VACATION" ATMOSPHERE

Because the location is so accessible—with paved paths connecting the tide pools to the grassy bluffs—the session feels less like a photo shoot and more like a casual evening stroll. For a returning family like the Solovyevs, this relaxed atmosphere was key. We could focus entirely on their connection and how much the kids have grown, rather than worrying about hiking, parking, or wet clothes.

Portrait of a woman with expressive brown eyes.
Heartwarming photo of dad hugging his kids on the rocks at Laguna Beach. Family photography by Venya Manzyuk.
Young brother and sister pose for a portrait on the beach. Laguna Beach family photographer Venya Manzyuk.
Joyful father-son moment captured in a family portrait.
Father and son play during a family photo session in Laguna Beach.
Family photography in Laguna Beach. Mother and daughter hug on the beach.
Laguna Beach family portrait: Mother and daughter embrace on the coast.
Cute boy with a curious expression during a family photoshoot on Laguna Beach.
Laguna Beach family portrait on the rocks. Orange County family photographer Venya Manzyuk.
Cute girl with a sweet expression in family photo.
Family love captured in a group photo. Mother and daughter embrace.
Family beach portrait in Laguna Beach at sunset. Orange County family photographer Venya Manzyuk.
Laguna Beach family portrait with parents and two kids.
Joyful father and son share a playful moment.
Dad playfully tosses son in the air.
Tender moment: Mother and daughter embrace on the beach at sunset.
Beach sunset photo: Mother and daughter hug on the shoreline.
A woman and a young girl are close together outdoors. The girl has blonde hair and is wearing a dark hair bow, while the woman has dark hair and is wearing gold hoop earrings. They are both wrapped in a brown fur garment, and the woman is smiling softly.
Couple portrait, sunset, Laguna Beach, California.
Romantic sunset hug on Laguna Beach.

Related Sessions

A mother, father, and son sitting together in the tall green grass at Jeffrey Open Space Trail in Irvine during a candid outdoor portrait session.

DEPPE FAMILY

JEFFREY OPEN SPACE TRAIL

A mother walking barefoot on the sand with her children near the waves during a candid, bright family session at Treasure Island Beach.

VELEZ FAMILY

TREASURE ISLAND BEACH

A family of four holding hands and walking away from the camera on a tree-lined path at Turtle Rock Community Park in Irvine.

PFEIFFER FAMILY

TURTLE ROCK COMMUNITY PARK

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No, the walking paths and gardens (Treasure Island Park) in front of the resort are open to the public. For the Solovyev session, we met right on the walking paths. It allows us to get that high-end resort backdrop—manicured lawns and beautiful architecture—without needing a room reservation.

  • You have two easy options. You can park in the underground "Treasure Island" public garage (just south of the lobby entrance) or valet at the hotel itself if you want maximum convenience. For this session, the garage was perfect because it leads directly to the garden paths where we started shooting.

  • Absolutely. That is the biggest advantage of this location. We typically start on the bluff (greenery and flowers) while everyone is fresh and clean, then take the paved ramp down to the sand for sunset. It takes about 5 minutes to walk between the two, giving you two completely different "looks" without driving to a second location.