Winter Moon Along the Pacific Grove Coast
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 Way to Bring Pacific Grove Home
If these winter moon photographs resonate with you, they are available as fine art prints for homes and local Pacific Grove businesses. Each image is made with the intention of reflecting the quiet beauty and layered coastal atmosphere that makes this place so special. They also make meaningful gifts for friends or family who love Pacific Grove but only get to visit from time to time. For local businesses, these images are also available for licensing for use on websites, offices, and other brand touchpoints as a way to visually connect your space to the character of the Monterey Peninsula.
The Winter Moon Rising
Pacific Grove coastline at dusk
On Saturday evening I took my camera out along the Pacific Grove coast to photograph the winter moon as it rose above the horizon. There was no assignment, no client brief, and no rush — just the familiar quiet of the coastline as the light slowly faded. The winter moon has a softness to it that feels different from summer evenings, with cooler air, calmer colors, and a slower pace that invites you to look longer.
These images were made simply by being present and letting the evening unfold, something I try to do regularly even while working primarily as a commercial photographer. Photographing Pacific Grove like this keeps me grounded and connected to the place I live and work.
Quiet Details at Dusk
Small moments along the shoreline
Some of my favorite images from the evening came from paying attention to the smaller details — soft foreground elements, distant boats, and subtle changes in the sky as the moon climbed higher. These photographs are less about documenting a specific place and more about capturing a feeling that many people associate with Pacific Grove.
They are reminders that beauty here often lives in understated moments, especially in the quieter winter months.
Moonlight and Coastal Layers
Sky, water, and distant shoreline
As the light changed, the scene became more layered — the moon hovering above the horizon, the calm water reflecting subtle color shifts, and the distant coastline settling into silhouette. These moments are fleeting and easy to miss if you are not paying attention, which is part of what makes photographing them so rewarding.
This set of images leans into simplicity and balance, allowing the moon and coastline to exist quietly within the frame. They are photographs meant to slow you down, not demand attention.
Photographing Pacific Grove, Beyond the Assignment
While much of my work is focused on commercial photography for businesses, organizations, and professionals, photographing Pacific Grove for myself is just as important. It is how I stay connected to the place I call home and continue to see it with fresh eyes. Supporting local photographers as artists helps preserve these perspectives and keeps the visual story of a community rooted in the people who live here.
If you love Pacific Grove and want to bring a piece of it into your home or office, these images are available as custom fine art prints. Each one is made with care, intention, and a deep appreciation for this coastline.
Artist Statement
While much of my work focuses on commercial photography for businesses, I continue to photograph Pacific Grove simply because it is home. These images are made without an assignment or a client brief, driven instead by light, weather, and the quiet moments that make this coastline special. Walking the shoreline with a camera allows me to slow down, observe, and respond to what the scene offers in that moment.
Each fine art photograph is created with the same care and intention as my commissioned work, but with the freedom to explore mood, space, and stillness. These images are offered as fine art prints for those who feel a connection to Pacific Grove and want to bring a piece of that experience into their home or workspace. Supporting local photographers as artists helps preserve the visual history and character of the place we all love.