Sunset on the Beach with the Vasta Family

There’s something so special about photographing a family in a brand new season.

When Lillibeth filled out her questionnaire, one thing stood out to me immediately — since welcoming baby Lucas, she wanted to make sure they prioritized family photos more often. Their last full session was back in November of 2024, when it was just the four of them. And their most recent family photo didn’t even include mom and dad.

As a photographer — and as someone who knows how quickly time moves — that meant so much.

Because this stage? The tiny toes. The two-month-old smiles. The way older siblings orbit their baby brother with so much pride? It passes in a blink.

A Slightly Rushed Start… and So Much Grace

Our session at Pensacola Beach started with a little hiccup — a GPS malfunction that made finding the exact location tricky. By the time they arrived, we were racing the sunset.

But here’s the beautiful thing about this family: they showed up calm, kind, and ready.

No stress. No frustration. Just gratitude and excitement to be there together.

The second we started shooting, everything fell into place.

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Loving, Playful, and So Proud

Nicolas has a quiet, gentle presence. A little shy in front of the camera, but constantly doting on his family — adjusting a sleeve, lifting a child, steadying little feet in the sand. The way he watched his kids said everything.

Lillibeth has the sweetest smile and such an attentiveness about her. She notices everything — a curl falling in Aleia’s face, Zaccheus making Lucas laugh, the baby’s tiny expressions. You can feel how deeply she treasures this season.

And the kids? Pure joy.

Zaccheus and Aleia are loving and playful in the best way. They goof around. They giggle. They joke with each other constantly. But the moment Lucas is in their arms, everything softens. They adore their baby brother and try so hard to make him smile.

And Lucas — at just two months old — gave us the sweetest little expressions. The tiny grins. The wide curious eyes. Those are the moments I’ll never get tired of capturing.

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Sunset, Sand, and So Much Connection

As the sun dipped lower over Pensacola Beach, the sky turned soft and golden behind them. Bare feet in the sand. Wind in their hair. Kids laughing. Dad lifting his daughter high in the air. Mom holding her baby close.

Even with the rushed start, we created a gallery full of connection.

Some of my favorite moments:

* Giggly kids piled close together in the sand

* Nicolas lifting the kids into the glowing sunset light

* Lillibeth crouched down, smiling at Lucas as he explored the sand with wide eyes

* The whole family seated together, relaxed and radiant

It didn’t feel posed. It felt like them.

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Why This Session Matters

This wasn’t just about updating photos.

It was about documenting the first season as a family of five.

It was about making sure mom and dad were in the frame too.

It was about freezing this fleeting stage before Lucas grows out of his baby cheeks and Zaccheus and Aleia grow another inch taller.

Photographs become more meaningful with time. And one day, when these kids are grown, these images will remind them exactly what this chapter felt like.

Loving. Playful. A little chaotic. Completely beautiful.

I’m so honored I got to document it 🤍