**Capturing Memories at Bean Point: A Journey Through Time**
As a photographer, there are certain sessions that stay with you long after the final photo is edited and delivered. Over eight years ago, I had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful family at Bean Point on Anna Maria Island—a place where the natural beauty of the Florida coastline meets the tranquil Gulf waters. The session was filled with laughter, candid moments, and the kind of joy that only comes from a family deeply connected with one another. Little did I know that this session would mark the beginning of a unique photographic journey that would come full circle nearly a decade later.
Recently, I had the privilege of reconnecting with this same family for another session, right back at Bean Point. This time, the experience was tinged with a nostalgic warmth, as we sought to recreate the magic of our original session from years ago. Walking onto the beach, it felt as if time had both stood still and moved in fast-forward. The same sugar-white sands stretched out before us, the same gentle waves lapped at the shore, but the family had grown and evolved in ways that made this session all the more special.
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a photographer is witnessing the passage of time through my lens. Children who were once shy and hesitant in front of the camera now stood tall, confident, and full of personality. Parents whose love was evident in every frame now carried the experience and wisdom of years spent nurturing and guiding their family. Yet, despite these changes, the essence of who they are as a family remained beautifully consistent.
We began by revisiting some of the same spots where we captured photos all those years ago. The dunes, the pier, and the iconic Bean Point lighthouse provided the perfect backdrop for this unique session. It was heartwarming to see how, despite the passage of time, these locations held the same charm and significance for the family. The parents smiled as they recalled the memories made during our first session, while the children, now older, eagerly posed for new versions of the photos they had taken as little ones.
In recreating the original shots, we found ourselves reliving the past while also celebrating the present. There was a moment when the youngest, now a teenager, posed in the exact spot where they had once been held in their parents’ arms. It was a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of capturing these moments, not just as photographs, but as tangible pieces of a family’s history.
As the session came to a close and the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the beach, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunity to document this family’s journey, for the trust they placed in me to capture their most cherished moments, and for the chance to see, firsthand, the impact that these images had on their lives.
This session at Bean Point wasn’t just about recreating old photos; it was about honoring the past while embracing the present and looking forward to the future. It’s a testament to the enduring power of photography to preserve memories, tell stories, and connect us to the ones we love. I can’t wait to see where the next chapter of this family’s story takes them, and I hope to be there, camera in hand, to capture it all.
