From Rotary Club Connections to Family Portraits at Lover’s Point Park
Even though I have photographed dozens of families in the past, mostly on the west coast beaches of Florida, since pivoting to focus on commercial photography 12+ years ago, I still have the occasional family portrait session come up. This family portrait photo shoot at Lover’s Point Park in Pacific Grove, California came about through me joining the Pacific Grove Rotary Club last year, which is were I first met Richard. We went on to judge a car show together put on by the Rotary Club. Since then we see each other every 2 weeks for the Rotary Club luncheon and have become friends. I have helped him with photo prints of existing photos of his a couple of times. This time, he asked me to make new photos of him and his wife Beth and their dog Gino, and then help them with designing their Christmas card (see below) using the photos we made together. I enjoyed the experience of making family portraits again, and getting to know Richard even better outside of the monthly Rotary Club events. Thank you Richard and Beth and Gino!
Sometimes I get ideas in my head of a photo I would like to make before I even walk out the door. On this recent Saturday evening, as January 2026 was about to conclude, I also still needed a photo made in January to include in my future January 2027 Pacific Grove Fine Art Photo Calendar. I had an idea of getting a photo of Lover’s Point Park near sunset time from the west of it, and using my Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master telephoto lens for a certain perspective and compressed view of the park. Well, where is that photo in this blog post? The light was not what I expected, for one, so the photo I went out looking to make was only so-so. However, I stumbled upon the Winter Moon rising so turned my focus onto getting images of that. Since my 70-200mm lens is not a super long telephoto lens, and thus I could not fill the frame with a photo of the moon itself, I decided to add out of focus foreground elements to some of the photos, and then add foreground and background layers to others. A boat even cooperated and cruised by for a photo too!
A Fun and Thoughtful Conversation on Photography with Don Brooklyn
I had a great time this week joining Don Brooklyn on his KMBY radio show for a lively and thoughtful conversation about photography, creativity, and a few unexpected personal connections. One of the biggest surprises of the interview was discovering that we are both originally from Rhode Island, which led to some laughs about how far from home we both ended up here in Pacific Grove. We talked about the ongoing question of phone cameras versus “real cameras,” and I shared my perspective that phone cameras are good for quick snapshots in ideal lighting, but there is still no substitute for professional photography when it comes to controlling light, freezing motion, and working in challenging conditions. Don also shared that he recently picked up a new camera himself, so we may be continuing the conversation soon with a photography lesson. I really appreciated the opportunity to speak directly to the local community through KMBY, share some practical insights, and enjoy a genuine moment of connection with a fellow Rhode Islander.
Favorite Five Photos & Videos of 2025 — from Pacific Grove and far beyond!
2025 was packed with memorable shoots, stunning locations, impactful portraits, and community moments. While every image has a story, these five stand out as my personal favorites — either because of the experience behind the camera, the creative result, or the emotion they captured.
Limited-Time Holiday Couple Portraits in Pacific Grove — Fun, Festive, and Only $75!
It’s the season for something fun, festive, and totally different from your usual holiday photos! For a limited time, I’m offering Holiday Couple Portrait Sessions at my Pacific Grove photography studio — complete with photo-booth–style props and a warm, relaxed atmosphere that makes the experience just as enjoyable as the final images. These sessions are perfect for couples who want something playful and memorable to share on social media or to feature on this year’s holiday card.
Thank you for visiting my photo booth on First Friday in Pacific Grove!
Click the button below to go to the gallery that contains your free photo booth photo. To download your photo click on the thumbnail, then click the download icon to save it.
Thank you again for coming to the Jason Collin Photography Photo Booth!
Ribbon Cutting Event for Love Thai Restaurant in Pacific Grove
As an ambassador for the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce I often attend ribbon cutting events helping out by making photos to help promote both the chamber, and the business itself having the ribbon cutting. Such was the case at Love Thai Restaurant in Pacific Grove, California. It is a chance for a local business to have their own big grand opening day, to celebrate the start of their business, and for the community to come out and show support. All that happened this evening at Love Thai! You do not have to be a chamber member to come out and attend one of these great events. Here is a list of upcoming events, like this ribbon cutting.
