Shortsand Beach Couples Photos

The Shortsand Beach Couples Session remains one of my most memorable shoots from the December 2024 Oregon Retreat. Each year, the retreats are an opportunity to step away from the familiar, to reconnect with why we fell in love with photography in the first place. This particular afternoon was a reminder of everything I adore about teaching — the balance between structure and spontaneity, and the way a single location can transform under the right light.

Shortsand Beach greeted us with its signature Oregon glow — soft, diffused light rolling across the cliffs and tide pools. It was the first shoot of the retreat, and the energy among the attendees was electric. There’s something about standing at the edge of the Pacific with a group of artists, cameras in hand, that always feels sacred.

Our muses for the day, Maddie and Ethan, brought an effortless grace that elevated every frame. You may recognize them from my Louisville Palace session earlier in 2024. Their connection is magnetic — natural movement, quiet gestures, and an undeniable sense of trust that translates beautifully through the lens. Photographing them outdoors, surrounded by sea mist and wind, felt like watching a modern love story meet the timeless drama of the coast.

Although I’ve chosen to move the next Oregon Retreat to early 2026, I continue to revisit these images as a reminder of what makes the retreat experience so special. It’s more than a workshop; it’s a gathering of creatives chasing light, emotion, and meaning. The Oregon Coast never fails to meet us halfway — offering both beauty and introspection in every frame.