Exactly one year ago, I was deep in the heart of my first major session for family travel photography in Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita, Mexico. My heart is heavy today as I watch the news of the unrest in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas. It is a city that, just twelve months ago, gave us such a beautiful and safe harbor for our adventures.
The Heart of Puerto Vallarta Travel Photography
When I look back at the archives of this trip, I see a clear shift in the narrative. The first few days in Sayulita were a whirlwind of celebration for Sarah’s 50th birthday and Kaia’s 13th birthday. By the time we reached Puerto Vallarta, the “perfect posing” had faded. My subjects were tired of the lens and the documentary side of my artist’s brain took over.
Today, those raw and unscripted moments feel like the most honest tribute to the city we are all rooting for.
I loved having the opportunity to celebrate Sarah’s 50th birthday with my camera.
Even when my subjects were “done” with the camera, the light found a way to tell the story.
I even managed to get on the other side of the camera a few times!
The Beauty in the “In-Between”
As a family lifestyle photographer, I’ve long since stopped chasing the “perfect” family photo where everyone is looking and smiling at the camera. I instead focus on the “in-between” moments. The more genuine poses tend to happen quite naturally when you stop trying so hard.
While I would have loved to have had an extra professional photographer there to take pictures of me and my favorite people, I still love the cell phone photos.
Watching the current devastation in Puerto Vallarta reminds me that I do not document life because every moment is a party. I document it because every moment is a miracle. We need to capture the peace while we have it for proof of the light when the world feels heavy.
I am resharing my Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide today to honor the city that was our sanctuary. I hope the peace returns to those streets soon.
Visit my Mexico Travel Guide and please Contact Me with any questions.
50% of all print products purchased from my Mexico Gallery before 3/31/26 will be donated to relief efforts in Puerto Vallarta.
Final Reflections
I think about the people in Puerto Vallarta tonight, and I think about the many versions of ourselves that we leave behind in the places we visit. We are never quite the same person when we return home. Travel changes our rhythm. It forces us to be present. It leaves marks on our hearts, some of which are beautiful and some of which hurt.
I do not take photos to prove that I was somewhere, but rather to prove that I was present. I take them so that when a city I love is in pain, I can look back and remember exactly what it felt like when the sun was warm and the world was quiet.
Legacy is not just the photos we take of our children. It is the photos they have of us, showing them that we were brave enough to explore, to wander, and to be part of the adventure.
Thank you for following along with this reflection. My heart remains with Mexico tonight.
This post is dedicated to The Sandman, a beloved street artist who the Puerto Vallarta community lost in November.
