Turning 57 is all about owning your power, celebrating life’s stories, and doing whatever brings you pure joy. When Ramona reached out to us from Texas to book our Gold Package, she already had her vision crystal clear: she chose our vibrant Yellow flying dress, her absolute favorite color.
Ramona was visiting Playa del Carmen to celebrate her 57th birthday milestone. Although she had vacationed here several times before, staying conveniently at a central hotel in downtown Playa, she had never ventured up to this particular stretch of coast.
We usually meet our clients at Playa Punta Esmeralda. However, arriving 20 minutes early allowed us to catch a surprise: the beach entrance was temporarily closed for local renovations!
Because we always buffer extra time before every session, we immediately coordinated with Ramona and redirected our meeting point to Playa 88, the dedicated beach access just one entrance down. It had been a while since we shot right at Playa 88, and what a wonderful surprise it was. While cozier in size, the area is pristine, complete with clean facilities, showers, and beautifully kept amenities.
As we set up, the local municipal beach cleaning crew was gently clearing away the tiny bits of stray seaweed near the tideline. With autumn settling in, the sea has cleared up wonderfully, but we always appreciate the hard work the local team puts into keeping Playa’s coast in top shape. They worked quietly in the distance, leaving wide-open sand completely free for our shoot.
Joining me behind the lenses was my trusted colleague Hernán Santiago capturing second camera angles. Our usual assistant Majo unfortunately had to sit this one out after a small scooter accident (she’s resting up and healing her leg, doing great!), so our wonderful assistant Mili stepped right up to manage the dress tosses.
From the first moment fabric hit the breeze, Ramona brought an electric, radiant vibe to the shore. You can immediately tell when someone is a seasoned traveler—she was easygoing, open-hearted, and completely present in every single frame.
During our breaks between poses, she shared that she is an author currently preparing to re-release her book with an unforgettable title: “Didn’t nobody tell me a motherfucking thing.” It made us laugh, and I promised her that as soon as the new edition drops, I’ll find a way to get a copy delivered straight down here to Mexico!
Even though the Caribbean heat was definitely turned up during the morning, Ramona powered through with nothing but genuine smiles and laughter. Afterward, instead of hailing a cab, she decided to take a relaxed stroll down the northern part of Quinta Avenida right back to her downtown hotel.
I’m writing these words just moments before delivering her final private gallery with the 20 stunning images she hand-selected. Ramona, thank you for trusting our team with your 57th birthday celebration. May this new year around the sun bring even more bold adventures, laughter, and success with your book!
