The Vision
This shoot, nestled between our Corona Del Mar beach shoot dreamy sailboat shoot, had a vibe all its own. The vision? A nostalgic, coastal road trip moment — think vintage cars, cliffs overlooking the ocean, and that effortless "cool girl" energy that emulated elegance in every era. While there wasn’t a single celebrity muse driving the inspiration, the mood board was full of Pinterest-found gems that leaned into timeless style and soft summer hues. The goal was to channel that easygoing, free-spirited vibe. The styling leaned vintage, with breezy headscarves, retro sunnies, and chic accessories. The setting? Equally important. Our dream backdrop featured ocean views, a coastal village, and warm summer light. We strived to capture an editorial energy that also tells a story.
The planning
This shoot came together with a lot of thoughtful prep behind the scenes. After deciding on a coastal concept, we zeroed in on San Diego, my hometown. I took the lead on location scouting, sending out multiple options before landing on a perfect cliffside spot and nearby village streets that oozed charm. A big part of the vision hinged on having a vintage porsche — something that instantly set the tone. After researching local vendors, we got lucky: not only did the vintage car company (@sdvintagerides) come through, they graciously loaned us a second vehicle — a classic Jaguar with the coolest red leather interior. A total win. Props were another layer of the magic. Brittany coordinated with some of her favorite brands to bring in accessories, including sunglasses, handbags, and those vintage-style headscarves. The thoughtfulness in the details really brought the creative direction to life.
The execution
We shot everything in one afternoon, waiting for the morning gloom to clear for that golden, dreamy coastal light. With two amazing models, Andrea and Hannah, we started around town — snapping scenes outside of an ice cream shop and wandering through the charming little streets. The team brought great energy. Dee's associate Majo (@thesocialclub.xx) was on set, along with Serge as our videographer. Brittany, Suzanne, and I all flowed together, working efficiently and hitting every look and location on the inspo board. After town, we transitioned to the coast. The vintage cars were our stars here, parked against the ocean backdrop for that timeless “cruising the coast” aesthetic. We wrapped the shoot down on the beach itself, letting the models get in the water, run in the sand, and just move naturally as the sun started to dip.
The Outcome
This shoot was pure fun — seamless, creative, and full of good vibes. It’s always such a positive environment working with this crew. Everything just flowed: no stress, no chaos, just efficient and intentional shooting with a clear vision in mind. The resulting gallery tells a full story: from strolling downtown with bags and sunglasses, to lounging in the cars with magazines, to letting go barefoot in the surf. The colors were everything — soft but striking — and the shots captured exactly what we had hoped for: that effortless, cool-girl road trip moment. As a fun side note: our recent shoots have all had a "transportation" theme — from sailboats to vintage cars. Maybe bikes are next on the list!
