The Jersey Shore is so many things to so many people. But to me the Jersey Shore is all about family. The people who come down here every year are carrying out a tradition that has been going on for years, and they are teaching their kids and grandkids about the tradition. They get the same pizza every year. When they get ice cream, chances are they go to the place that they went to as a kid. Where did Grandpop get his donuts? Chances are, the next two generations love that same donut. Want to play mini golf? Lets have a redo of last year! I love this mentality. As much as I like to fancy myself as an adventurous person who tries new things… Thats not always true. I love these traditions. I love that families come to the Jersey Shore with their parents, their kids, their brothers, and their sisters. I love that they do the same things every year. Because what lies in that pizza, that ice cream cone, and that donut is memories. Memories of being a kid, memories of days on the beach, memories of walks on the boardwalk. So much come backs to you when you see the signs, smell the smells, and take the bite. All of a sudden you are 12 again. But here you are… licking the falling jimmies from your own child’s cone. That’s the Jersey Shore. That’s love.
I spent a lovely evening on the beach with this family on the first day of September. Clouds and drizzle threatened us to cancel, but nevertheless we persisted! And the light and air could not have been more magical! What a gorgeous family! I was so happy to capture these images for them to freeze this moment in time. Till next year…