I'm excited to share some of my favorite places in San Diego for portrait sessions. Every photographer has their favorite spots they absolutely love taking clients to and these are mine. Of course San Diego is huge and full of gorgeous locations so the adventures don't stop here!
My hope of sharing this quick and fun post is to share some of my favorite locations with clients and other professionals. This post is only a glimpse of what San Diego has to offer for amazing photoshoot locations, so don't forget to explore other parts of my website for more inspiration.
These locations are in no special order.....Here we go, enjoy!
Hands down one of the prettiest beach spots in La Jolla. This spot really isn't a secret anymore and I'm not surprised one bit. Most gorgeous spots like this one rarely remain a secret for too long, right?!
One of the reasons why I love Windansea Beach is the variety it offers. There are lots of open spots (during low tide), rocks to climb and be adventurous on (careful!), large crevices/gaps between the rocks for those artistic shots, beautiful green moss, and of course, the pretty hut that stands on top of the small cliff. I would definitely put this spot on your travel checklist if you haven't visited it yet.
Pic Info: This session was taken before Sunset in the Fall, and oh my gosh it was perfect. This beach is rarely empty as shown in the photo (haha I wish), so I often edit to remove unwanted background items and people for beach sessions. If I'm able to do this then I definitely will for my clients.
Mission trails is another favorite of mine. For Clients looking for a rustic look, this is it! This short trail has it all - pretty shrubs and greenery, a long wooden fence, a small field/hill area (great to throw a blanket down on), and the view of the mountains in the background. There are so many pretty spots at Mission Trails. If looking for more of a forestry look, then I often lead clients to another spot, further into the trails (by car). There's a small parking lot that takes about 5 mins to drive to from the entrance.
Pic Info: This sweet family session was captured right before sunset. This was a short trail, with several stunner spots to utilize in their session. Everything was easy to get to which worked out perfectly for this family and their sweet baby boy.
Every time I capture a session here, I instantly fall in love all over again and cannot wait to come back. It truly is that amazing.
Sunset Cliffs runs far along the coast so it offers so many stunning spots to choose from. I really enjoy Sunset Cliffs Natural Park and often take clients here since there's so much to capture in this one area. There's also parking right next to the trails that lead to the coast. It is a little bit of a walk from the parking lot to the cliffs (about 8 mins, not bad!) but it's well worth it. I often recommend bringing comfy shoes to change in and out of just in case!
Most importantly, be safe. The cliffs, like most, are not always stable - you'll see signs posted throughout the park. Always observe your surroundings and supervise children if present. For family sessions with little ones who are always on the go, this may not be a great spot.
Every time I capture a session here, I instantly fall in love all over again and cannot wait to come back. It truly is that amazing.
Sunset Cliffs runs far along the coast so it offers so many stunning spots to choose from. I really enjoy Sunset Cliffs Natural Park and often take clients here since there's so much to capture in this one spot. There's also parking right next to the trails that lead to the coast. It is a little bit of a walk from the parking lot to the cliffs (about 8 mins) but it's well worth it. I often recommend bringing comfy shoes to change in and out of just in case!
Most importantly, be safe. The cliffs, like most, are not always stable - you'll see signs posted throughout the park. Always observe your surroundings and supervise children if present. For family sessions with little ones who are always on the go, this may not be a great spot.
Pic Info: This maternity photoshoot was taken in the Spring time right before Sunset. This momma-to-be did some climbing to get to this spot (her idea, promise!) and created these amazing photos. I'm still in awe of these images.
I recently did a session here for the first time and I instantly fell in love with it. It's easy to see why in the pictures! The rocks were fun to play on, the open sandy areas perfect for a little dancing ;), the bridge in the background was fun to add to the session, and tons more. Also, if you walk over the bridge, to the top of the hill, you'll find another gorgeous spot with lots of greenery and another stunning bridge in the background.
Pic Info: This photoshoot took place early in the morning around 7:30-8AM. That might be too early for most but it worked out great and for many reasons! First, parking can get tricky here, but since the beach was empty we were able to find spots fast. Second, because the beach was empty this couple was able to utilize all the spots they wanted without getting too close to people or feeling crowded. I did have to remove/edit a few people in the background but not many. This is definitely one of my new favorites for beach sessions, that's for sure!
Absolutely one of the prettiest beaches to visit and explore. I often take clients to the sand dune area and capture them while the sun is setting in the background. This location is also spacious which allows most sessions to feel more private. The sand dunes are located near Hotel Del and water so clients get a little of everything which I love. This has become one of my favorite beach spots in San Diego, especially for families. It's honestly perfect for every type of shoot!
This park is on my top three list! I have many go-to spots here but I also love exploring new ones and this park lets me do this almost every time. This park is literally perfect for any type of photoshoot because of the variety it offers. For clients who don't know quite what they want and looking for a variety, this is a great option!
If you're a client and have a spot at Balboa Park you would like to try for your photoshoot don't hesitate to let me know. Sometimes it helps to have an idea before the session since the park is huge. I can also recommend a few great spots, depending on what you are looking for. The diversity of this park is what makes it perfect for almost any session.
Love this place! If you're looking for a rustic and fun look then this is it. It's a family friendly area, with lots of places for the kiddos to play and enjoy, which makes the photoshoot not so boring for them. That's a plus, right?! haha
For photos, you have lots to choose from. There is the box cars like the picture above, bridges, awesome railroad tracks, barns, and lots of pretty trees.
Pic Info: This was a late afternoon/early evening session. This spot also works great in the mornings since there are lots of shaded areas available for photographers to play with if the sun gets a too harsh. The first picture above was taken in front of the popular box car. It's one of my favorite spots that I normally take clients to first if it's not congested. And of course there are the railroad tracks that can be found around the perimeter of the park. These make for amazing photos as well. :)
This place was a hidden gem for me. I recently began bringing clients here about a year ago and I wish I had done it sooner. The bridge is definitely the main feature at this location and there's so much you can do with it. Also, the architectural design of the bridge stands out and make the images pop even more. It really is a beautiful spot.
Pic Info: This grad session was captured right before sunset. This place is no secret but it still isn't as crowded as other locations, which is great. There's also a small parking lot and street parking close by.
Can't get enough of this location!
And yes, Lake Cuyamaca is part of San Diego County. It is a bit of a drive but well worth it if you're up for it. One of the spots I enjoy taking clients to has a pretty field with tall grass, with beautiful mountains and trees in the background. It's a stunning location for any type of photoshoot.
Pic Info: This session began 1 1/2 hours before sunset, in early December. It gets cold real quick this time of year so it's recommended for everyone to bring warmer clothing or jackets to throw over if the temp quickly drops. Also, because of the hills and mountains, sunset sessions begin earlier than they would closer to the coast.
*There is a Travel Fee for this spot to cover extra traveling time and gas. For most San Diego locations, Lake Cuyamaca is about 45-70 mins away.
Yes, that's right, this school is gorgeous for photoshoots! There are beautiful gardens, building structures, the Immaculata catholic church, and lots of pretty greenery throughout the university perfect for pictures. I've had multiple clients capture their session here and I can see why. This location is also perfect in the mornings or evenings so flexibility is available especially for families with little ones.
So pretty! The pictures definitely speak for themselves. This beach has so many wonderful features but the one I love the most are the pebbles along the water. This photoshoot was taken during the summer when the skies are more clear. The sunsets are always gorgeous here which is why I'm always anxiously waiting to go back!