Inspired

Battery To The Beach For Sunset

Family of three walking down sloping path on sweeping golden Marin Headlands.
Parents and toddler in sunset light at the beach look and point towards a heron at the water's edge.
Family of three embrace and look towards a fading sunset over the flanks of Mt. Tamalpais.
  • Family of three walking down sloping path on sweeping golden Marin Headlands.
  • Parents and toddler in sunset light at the beach look and point towards a heron at the water's edge.
  • Family of three embrace and look towards a fading sunset over the flanks of Mt. Tamalpais.

This is all about contrast and elemental connection.

We walk through history and concrete at Battery Alexander, under expansive skies set against the headlands, then down to the intimate cove of South Rodeo Beach.

The emerald of coastal scrub against an aqua sky. The shimmering sun against the dark ochre cliffs. Sunset against the blue of the Pacific.

In a single photo session we might see coyotes, pelicans, a sea otter, dolphins.

📆 Often Available: weekends, early spring, summer & fall

The Basics

  • Battery Alexander & South Rodeo Beach
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Effort: Medium
  • Medium: Digital Photo
  • Focus: Environmental, movement, connection
  • Best For: Couples, Families, Seniors
  • Sunshine Insurance!
  • Cost: $1475
Check Availability

The Session

We meet at the Battery Alexander parking area, then explore the crumbling ruins of a beautiful old battery.

From their we make our way down a maintained trail through coastal scrub to a small flight of stairs. Below is South Rodeo Beach – aka “secret Rodeo Beach.”

We play at the water’s edge until the sun gets low, heading back up to catch the final glow from the cliff top.

The Gallery

  • 2 hour session
  • 50+ high resolution images
  • Professional, shareable gallery
  • 20% off prints
  • +Sunshine Insurance

This experience gives us a few quick opportunities for portraits and composed, camera-aware photos. But most of your gallery will be candid images filled with love, connection, and motion.

Field Notes

🌅 Ancestral foraging grounds of the Coast Miwok

🐋 Spot a coyote and a whale for bonus points

🏰 Battery Alexander was deactivated in 1943 during WWII

🪁 Challenge: fly a kite from the top of Battery Alexander

Your photographer

DAVID ENLOE (HE, HIM)

Easygoing, grounded.

David crafts experiences rooted in presence and quality time with your people.

More about David

Timeline

00:00 – 00:15

Walk to battery

We’ll chat and get comfortable, snapping a few movement photos along the way.

Mom, dad, and toddler peek out from behind the graffitied wall of a crumbling old naval battery.
Family of three walking down sloping path on sweeping golden Marin Headlands.

00:15 – 00:45

Sweeping vistas

We’ll explore the battery and put some space between us for some environmental portraits showcasing the flanks of Mt. Tam and the Marin Headlands dropping into the sea.

00:45 – 01:30

Hike & beach

The walk to the beach can be quick (10 minutes) or take longer if we pause along the way. Both options are great. When we get there we’ll stroll the shoreline, look for wildlife, and let kids run free along the dark sands.

Dad helps toddler over creek flowing down beach as mom looks on.
Mom and dad hold and kiss toddler, framed by wooden structure used for weddings on the Marin headlands.

01:30 – 02:00

Sunset from sea cliffs

We’ll make our way back towards the car to catch sunset from the top of the bluffs. This will put us near the car park for a quick exit as the light fades.

Location Specifics

Best light

This session is timed for sunset, so arrive on time.

Terrain

Walk: 1.0 mi RT | 220 ft gain | dirt trail + sand + stairs

Weather

Fully exposed to the Pacific. Embrace wind, chill, and salt spray.

Restrooms

At the Battery Alexander parking area.

Dog friendly?

Yes! Off leash on the beach. Might be somewhat limiting for climbing around the battery.

Sunshine Insurance

We need sunshine for that sunset! Cancel or reschedule for no additional cost.

Check Availability

Questions. Answered

It really depends on the kid and the family. Here are the things to consider –

  • Long walk. For distractable toddlers that won’t be carried this won’t work well.
  • Fall risk. We can keep it pretty safe, but the batteries have unfenced edges and there are cliff edges near the stairs as we approach the beach. Kids need to have strong boundaries.
  • Exposure. Wind, cold, mist, salt spray, sandy feet…only resilient kids will enjoy this!

These experiences are built around real conditions — tides, light, flower blooms, coastal weather. A little fog or wind is often part of what makes them feel alive. Unless your experience includes Sunshine Insurance, we’re going to lean into what Mother Earth sends our way.


If conditions look truly unworkable or unsafe – often rain forecasts greater than 30% or any sort of weather warning – we’ll cancel, and I’ll issue a full refund right away so that you can book an alternate session.


In some cases, depending on my availability and the realities of that particular Inspiration Experience, a reschedule may be offered at my discretion.

If illness or something unexpected comes up on your end, reach out. I’ll always aim to handle things fairly and thoughtfully.What about rough weather?

This one’s right on the line between adventure and photo session. You want sturdy footwear for the battery & hike, and clothes that let you move. Layers for changing conditions. But the walk is still short enough that you can choose something you’d wear to a casual dinner at Hook Fish.

Texture photographs beautifully in the hills and on the beach. Accessories that flow, like scarves or shawls will add depth. Keep distractions minimal, although a patterned dress works well here. Guys tend to look great in jeans or chinos, sturdy boots, and a neutral shirt.

This is a forgiving environment for color, but you need strong tones to stand out. The landscape is dark ochre, deep turquoise, emerald green. Earthy tones are a great base, but make sure everyone has a deep blue, an off white, or a dusty lavender to bring them to the foreground. Soft reds or yellows can also work well if you’re leaning into a warmer palette.

Some sessions are all about sunshine, which is why they include popular Sunshine Insurance.

Because fog and clouds are so hard to predict in the Bay Area, we’ll wait until the day of the session to make a final call, but with Sunshine insurance included, you can reschedule twice, free of charge.

Inspiration Sessions thoughtfully pair the location with the medium, so check the top of the page to find out whether this session is captured on film or digital.

Film is slower and more intentional, and the end result is less about technical perfection and more about feeling. I take fewer frames and commit to the moment. The photographs tend to have a softer, more timeless look, often with natural grain and texture. You may see a few frames that are slightly soft or imperfect in a way that feels human. That character is part of what people love about film.

Digital photography gives me the freedom to take a lot of images. That means I can work quickly with moving kids, handle low light, and deliver sharp photos in a wide range of conditions. It also gives me the luxury of selecting the “best” split-second moments during editing.

If you want the cleanest, sharpest, most technically consistent images, digital is the better fit. If you want something more tactile, nostalgic, and emotionally textured, film is magic.

Easy as can be!

Photos for most sessions are delivered within 4 weeks. If you purchase Rush Delivery, they are delivered within 7 days (sometimes less, ask for current availability).

Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery of videos and analog film photos.

Make it a day

Turn this session into the start or end of a memorable outing with these nearby suggestions.

✓

Driver’s Market, Sausalito (20 min) for the coveted Double Eight buffalo milk soft serve. Call (415) 729-9582 to ensure availability.

✓

Fish restaurant (20 min) in Sausalito offers dockside dining that’s great for families. Family favorite – clam pasta.

✓

On the way home, stop at Battery Spencer (10 min) for an incredible view of the lighted Golden Gate Bridge.

Let’s pick a date!

Battery to Beach sessions are offered on select evenings and timed carefully around sunset light.

After choosing your date, you’ll receive a booking file (agreement + invoice) by email. Your reservation is confirmed once the 50% retainer is paid.

Selected dates are held for 24 hours pending completion.

Show Available Dates 📆