Selecting the perfect beach location need not be stressful. As San Diego’s Best Family Beach Photographer, I’ll set your mind at ease with my favorite suggestions. Each beach is perfect for early morning or late afternoon golden hour portrait sessions. On days when the skies are clear, my sessions will last about 15 minutes past sunset for the most beautiful, soft light. Week days are best for beach sessions—especially in summer—when the beaches are a bit less crowded. But I am able to create and edit a photo so the result looks like you’re the only family on the beach. Plus, I track the tides to ensure the beaches are fully accessible for your portraits. Enjoy the photos below or view full galleries here.
1-Imperial Beach
Want an uncrowded beach with lots of charm? This is your spot! I love the texture of the wooden pier and how it brings more warmth into the portraits. The ever present seagulls are fun for everyone in the family to chase! Ample, free street parking is easily available too.
2-Little Point Beach, La Jolla
San Diego’s most dramatic seascape is right here! The cliffs add pure magic to your portraits and the tide pools exposed during low or negative tides are fun for everyone to explore. This is my most requested beach location so I know the best spots to create your photos. It’s always easy to find free street parking in this quiet neighborhood.
3-Coronado Beach
This big, beautiful beach offers so much variety. We start with the sand dunes to capture the textures and help screen out the crowds then make our way toward the water for playtime and lovely portraits. The Hotel Del Coronado makes for an iconic backdrop if you want it highlighted in some of your portraits. I photograph here in the early morning for soft light or an hour before sunset for warm, golden light. Lots of free street parking is available in the neighborhood.
4-Scripps Pier
We begin beneath the pier for impactful and architectural portraits. This is a popular location for family portraits and sometimes we take turns with other photographers to grab our spot beneath the pier. Then we move a bit north to rock formations for added textures and variety. Parking can be challenging here, especially during a summer weekend so it’s important to allow extra time to park at this location.
5-Oceanside Pier
Another wide sand beach with another lovely wooden pier brings lots of playful moments into your portraits. There are cute peach bungalows along the boardwalk just north of the pier to add charm to your portraits. Metered street parking or an inexpensive lot are close by.
Bonus! El Matador Beach—a magical beach north of San Diego!
Feeling adventurous? Let’s roadtrip to El Matador Beach in Malibu where the beach looks a bit more like the Oregon coast. The rocks are massive and the light is magical but the beach is best during low tides. Parking is easy and free in the beach lot.
Ready to book your session? Contact me here!
