San Diego Family Photographer

Family of ten sitting and posing on rocks by the beach with ocean in the background, smiling at the camera.

Family photo sessions in San Diego that feel more like a beach playdate than a traditional picture day.

Start Planning Your Family Session
Three children, two girls and one boy, standing on the beach near rocks with waves in the background.
A smiling toddler sitting on sandy beach with ocean and rocks in background.
A family of seven, including two babies, on a beach with rocks and ocean waves in the background.
A young child sitting on a sandy beach, smiling with hands clasped, wearing an orange dress with ruffled sleeves, with the ocean and rocks in the background.
A family of five on rocks at the beach with the ocean in the background, including a woman, a man holding a baby girl, and two young girls sitting on a large rock.

Family Photo Sessions in San Diego

San Diego offers a beautiful mix of beaches and coastal landscapes—an ideal setting for family photos. I photograph families throughout La Jolla and San Diego, creating images that reflect genuine connection.

Whether you’re a local family or visiting San Diego on vacation, sessions are designed to feel easy and enjoyable—allowing you to stay present while I take care of the details.

A multi-generational family walking on the beach, holding hands, with children playing in the foreground and the ocean in the background.

An Experienced San Diego Family Photographer You Can Trust

With over a decade of experience and dozens of families photographed each year, Daniela brings a calm, easygoing presence that captures everyone’s personality—even when things get a little wonderfully chaotic.

A family walking on the beach during sunset, holding hands with a young girl and her dog.
Sereia Photography Logo Emblem with a large S in the middle

Families choose to work with me because I offer:

A family of five on the beach, with an older man and a woman kissing, and three children smiling and holding hands in the sand.

  • Extensive experience photographing children of all ages

  • A fun, easygoing energy that helps kids relax, engage, and cooperate

  • Clear direction throughout the session so you never feel unsure of what to do

  • A flexible, unhurried pace that allows the session to unfold naturally—never focused on the clock

  • Thoughtful, natural editing that enhances light and color while keeping images true to you

  • An easy-to-use curated online gallery with a generous selection of images to choose from

  • Fast turnaround—your gallery delivered within 2 weeks

Client Reviews & Testimonials

  • Daniela did a beautiful job of capturing our engagement. She was so kind and professional and we loved having her be a part of this special day! We would absolutely recommend her if you are looking for a photographer near La Jolla!

    —Emily

  • We had a great family photoshoot with Daniela at La Jolla Shores, she was very professional but warm and made us feel comfortable. The photos turned out amazing and Daniela even ran with us down the beach so we could get photos with the pier before the sun set. Thank you Daniela!

    —Liora N.

  • Daniela was so easy to work with, and I love how our pictures turned out for our first family portrait. We had to reschedule due to a stomach bug, and she was extremely responsive and understanding. I highly recommend her for mini sessions with a little one!

    —Alexandra F.

  • We had a perfect family photo experience with Daniela. We appreciated her flexibility with our large family group and she was so accommodating to requests. The pictures are beautiful! She captured some magical shots at Windansea.

    —Maggie S.

  • Fantastic experience having family photos done by Daniela while on vacation in La Jolla. From start to finish she is fantastic to work with and the photography is fantastic. 10/10 would book again.

    —Kris T.

  • Daniela at Sereia Photography is a true professional! Her communication is timely and accurate. We booked a family session in La Jolla and everything went smoothly, even with small children. I highly recommend Sereia Photography!

    —Katy V.

  • We are so happy with our maternity photos. Daniela is very talented and easy to work with. We really enjoyed our session!

    —Hollyanne

  • Daniela took family vacation photos on the beach and the results were amazing. She was extremely friendly and easy to talk to. She was quick to respond to all communication as well as with our final gallery. We will definitely use her again the next time we are in town and in need of a photographer. I highly recommend her.

    —Chris B.

San Diego Beach Family Photo Sessions

Photo Session Planning and Timing

Each photo session is planned around the best light, timing, tides, and location, with your children’s comfort and energy in mind. This approach keeps the experience calm and fun, allowing kids to relax and resulting in natural, timeless images.

  • Fill out the contact form & you’ll receive a personalized booking proposal to review and reserve your date, along with instructions to help you prepare.

  • On photo day, simply show up relaxed and ready to have fun. I’ll guide you through an effortless session while creating beautiful, natural portraits.

  • Within 1–2 weeks of your session, you’ll receive a private online gallery with professionally edited images, ready to view, select, and download.

Family of four walking hand in hand on the beach at sunset, with cliffs in the background.
Family of nine enjoying a walk on the beach with their hands raised, smiling, under a partly cloudy sky during sunset.
A family of five running through the shallow beach water, holding hands, smiling, with a bright sky and cliffs in the background.
Family at the beach making a heart shape with their hands during sunset.
Woman in a white dress walking along the beach at sunset. 
Choose Your Time

MORNING OR AFTERNOON

Your choice between a morning or an afternoon session should be based on your desired aesthetic, the mood you want to convey, and your available schedule.

Two young boys standing close together on a beach under a pier, smiling at the camera, with water and pier pillars in the background.

The Early Bird (After Sunrise)

Soft, Even Light: In the early morning, the light is often soft and diffused, providing a flattering illumination without harsh shadows, making it ideal for portraits.

Fewer Crowds: Enjoy a virtually private photoshoot as beaches are naturally less crowded.

Cool Color Palette: The early morning light often creates a unique ambiance, with mist or fog adding an ethereal quality to landscapes, enhancing the mood and creating captivating imagery.

A young girl with blonde, curly hair and a pink bow in her hair, smiling outdoors with pink and purple flowers in the background.

The Golden Hour (Before Sunset)

Warm, Soft Light: The golden hour provides warm, soft light that enhances colors and textures, creating a magical and romantic atmosphere.

Flattering Illumination: The low angle of the sun during the golden hour casts soft, flattering light on subjects, minimizing imperfections and creating a natural glow.

Ethereal Glow: During the golden hour, the warm, soft light creates a dreamlike ambiance, adding enchantment to your photos and making them captivating and memorable.

Choose Your Location

My Favorite Photo Locations in San Diego

San Diego has so many beautiful photo locations that it’s hard to narrow them down. To make it easier for you, I’ve put together a blog post that walks you through my favorite spots and helps you choose the best location for your family.

Choose Your Package

Photography Packages & Pricing in San Diego

All sessions include pre-session planning and outfit guidance, a fully guided photo session, professional editing and retouching, and a curated online gallery where you can select and download your images.

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Start Planning Your Family Session

Photo Sessions Available

Family
Seniors & Grads
Maternity
Baby & Kids
Couples
Mini Sessions