There are some locations in Bali that I never get tired of photographing, and Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay is definitely one of them.
When Ninad and his family booked their family photoshoot, I was excited to return to this beautiful resort. The property offers a wide variety of backdrops in one location. Tropical gardens, scenic pathways, dramatic cliffs, and a beautiful beachfront all sit within walking distance of each other.
One of the reasons I love photographing families here is the spacious environment. Children can move freely, parents can relax, and the entire session feels natural rather than rushed. Every corner seems to offer a new backdrop and a different mood.
For sunset sessions at Jimbaran Bay, I often recommend adding a lighting assistant. Since the beach faces west, the sun can disappear quickly, and having additional lighting helps maintain beautiful skin tones and consistent quality as daylight fades. Ninad decided to reserve a lighting assistant as well, ensuring we were prepared for the evening session.
As photographers, we always plan for the best conditions. However, nature sometimes creates a different story. On the day of the session, thick clouds covered the sky from late afternoon until sunset. Instead of golden sunlight, we enjoyed soft and even light during the entire photoshoot. In many ways, the cloudy conditions worked perfectly for family portraits.
The resort’s tropical gardens became the perfect setting as the family explored the grounds together. We wandered through lush greenery, quiet pathways, and scenic viewpoints while capturing moments that felt relaxed and authentic. The children enjoyed the experience, and the session unfolded more like a family stroll than a traditional photoshoot.
By the time we reached the beach, the sky remained fully covered by clouds. Our lighting assistant had been patiently waiting for the moment to shine, but nature wasn’t quite cooperating. For most of the session, the soft natural light did all the work.
Of course, we couldn’t let the lighting equipment go completely unused. Near the end of the photoshoot, we decided to have a little fun and create a few creative portraits using artificial lighting. Those final images added a different mood to the gallery and gave us something unique to complement the naturally lit photographs from earlier in the session.
Looking back at the images, I am reminded that beautiful family photographs are not always about perfect sunsets or ideal weather conditions. Sometimes the best sessions happen when everyone simply embraces the moment and enjoys the experience together.
Thank you, Ninad, for trusting me to capture these memories for your family. It was a pleasure spending the afternoon with all of you at one of my favorite locations in Bali.
I wish you and your family happiness, good health, and many wonderful adventures ahead. May these photographs always bring back memories of your time together in Bali.
