Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Family Photographers in San Diego

Our Recommended Top 10

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored San Diego Family Photographers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

320

Reviewed

196

Curated

10

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider
Studio Freyja logo

Studio Freyja

7290 Navajo Rd #113, San Diego, CA 92119

Why choose this provider?

Studio Freyja provides photography services throughout San Diego and the nearby communities. It specializes in helping families capture their special and natural moments to help preserve their memories for their future children and loved ones. It also conducts milestone photo sessions for parents wanting to document and celebrate the different growing stages of their kids, such as three to twelve months after their child was born. Maternity and newborn photoshoots are also available. Studio Freyja offers photo albums, wall art pictures, and folio boxes.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (45)
Google
5.0 / 5 (16)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1401 Burgundy Rd, Encinitas, CA 92024

Why choose this provider?

Tristan Quigley Photography, located in San Diego, is a photography studio that provides family portrait photography services. Photographer Tristan Quigley has been capturing memories for families for more than 10 years. Her family sessions follow simple guidelines to document special and authentic moments, with shoots usually utilizing warm and flattering lighting. She also conducts maternity and newborn sessions. Tristan also caters to clients in Encinitas, Carlsbad, La Jolla, and more.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (12)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (10)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
4901 Morena Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92117

Why choose this provider?

Spotlight Studios is a professional family and wedding photography service provider based in San Diego. The studio offers photography services for engagements, weddings, family gatherings, lifestyle sessions, events, and professional sessions. Additional services include senior special photoshoots, make-up, and hairstyling. Its team of photographers aims to ensure that photos are captured in a stunning and stylistic way by providing personalized and intimate photography sessions. Spotlight Studios has been featured on CBS. One of its photographers, Kyla, has 20 years of professional photography experience.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (80)
Facebook
4.0 / 5 (33)
Google
4.0 / 5 (15)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
San Diego, CA 92106

Why choose this provider?

Kim Belverud is a family photographer that serves clients in and around San Diego. Her special family session offers include daddy and me, pregnancy, motherhood, milestone, and senior sessions. She makes sure to produce beautiful and memorable shoots in both in-home and outdoor locations. She is also an experienced landscape photographer. Kim has been given the master photographer distinction by the National Association of Professional Child Photographers. In 2020 and 2021, her work has been featured in the NAPCP's Inspired magazine.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (13)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (7)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (5)

Website
1280 Goshen Street, San Diego, CA 92110

Why choose this provider?

Fangting Photography is a studio that serves clients in San Diego. Owner and lead photographer, Fangting Zuo, offers family photography and videography services. She also provides customized photography packages that suit the needs and preferences of her clients. Additionally, she uses Canon equipment with macro, portrait, wide-angle, and fisheye lenses that produce diverse resolution, sharpness, and versatility. Since its establishment in 2010, Fangting Photography has served 330 clients that include Karl Strauss, Luce Loft, and The Prado.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (250)
Google
4.0 / 5 (44)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
7905 Silverton Avenue, San Diego, CA 92126

Why choose this provider?

Chelsea V Photography serves the San Diego community and its neighboring metros. Its namesake owner has more than 15 years of experience doing photography for family, maternity, kids, engagements, and graduates. She also provides photoshoot sessions for acting, modeling, as well as business professionals. Clients can choose a setting for the shoot whether it be in a studio, at home, on-site, or outdoor, whichever is applicable to the theme. A gallery of some of her unedited shots is posted on her website.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (154)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (117)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
4591 Contour Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92115

Why choose this provider?

Tim Otto Photography is a studio that serves clients in San Diego and the surrounding areas. Tim Otto is a professional photographer who offers a range of services, including family portraiture, engagement sessions, and wedding photography. His work has been featured in local and national magazines and blogs including The Knot, Wedding Wire, InStyle, Inside Weddings, Town and Country, and Ceremony. All his wedding clients become members of the Lifetime Portrait Program, where family photo sessions become a yearly traditional event. Tim creates meaningful portraits that will be treasured for a lifetime.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (47)
Google
5.0 / 5 (20)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (15)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
El Cajon, CA 92021
  • Birth Photographer
  • maternity photographer
  • Family Photographer
  • Newborn Photographer
  • Military Photographer
  • Event & Portrait Photographer San Diego

Why choose this provider?

Morning Owl Fine Art Photography is a San Diego-based studio that specializes in taking a wide variety of family portraits for clients in the local metro. It provides different photo sessions for various events, such as graduation ceremonies, military homecomings, and retirements. It also seeks to create a relaxing atmosphere that can make it easier for clients to get comfortable during each photo session. Morning Owl Fine Art Photography is a woman-owned and veteran-owned business.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (21)
Google
4.7 / 5 (15)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3752 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92103

Why choose this provider?

Tiffany Allen Photography is a San Diego-based photographer specializing in family, portrait, maternity, newborn, and couple photography. Its family portrait sessions can be conducted in its downtown studio, in a client's home, or anywhere across the metro. Additionally, it works on social media content and business portraits. Studio owner and lead photographer Tiffany Allen strives to capture the essence of her clients in her photography. She also performs travel photography locally and abroad. Tiffany is a member of the Professional Photographers of America.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (75)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (47)
Google
5.0 / 5 (29)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
11942 Tivoli Park Row, San Diego, CA 92128

Why choose this provider?

Shoot Through Studio provides photography services for family, engagements, weddings, headshots, and events in and around the San Diego area. Her photography services also include newborn, maternity, and baby photography. Photographer Heena Jain utilizes natural light to capture clear and creative images. She was a fashion designer and entrepreneur before becoming a photographer. To add style to sessions, she provides gowns, make-up, and hairstyling. Since opening her home studio in 2016, Jain has photographed more than 350 newborn babies and families.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
4.0 / 5 (90)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Introduction

    A family photographer is a skilled professional who uses artistic ability and a camera to take pictures of families. These professionals use photography equipment and photo editing software to create visually pleasing images of small and large family groups.

    You can have this type of photo taken when welcoming a new family member, such as when a baby is born or a child is adopted. You can have family photos taken annually to show how fast your children are growing or to commemorate an annual event or favorite holiday.

    Additionally, you can choose the type of setting and fashions that best fit your lifestyle for these photos. You can be as formal or casual as you like and have the pictures taken indoors or outside to suit your family’s preferences.
  • What is family photography?

    Family photography is taking pictures of groups of family members. These can be small groups of immediate family members or large groups that include members of your extended family. Settings can involve casual or formal events that are held indoors or outdoors.

  • Why do you need family photos?

    Family photos create a visual record of your family. These photos can create memories for you to cherish for a lifetime. Family photos also make way for future generations of your family to feel connected to you and your family.

  • What do family photographers do?

    Family photographers help you choose a visually interesting setting. They also typically manage lighting to help your photos come out looking bright and easy to see. These photographers may work in a studio that you visit, or they can also sometimes come to a location you choose.

  • Why do people get family portraits?

    People get family portraits to display at home and to share with loved ones. The photos can be used to commemorate the birth of a new family member and also be used to show how much family members change over the years.

  • How long should a family photo shoot last?

    A family photo shoot can be as short as half an hour or take as long as a couple of hours. Things that affect the amount of time it takes to complete a family photo shoot include the number of outfit changes and background settings you want.

  • How many pictures are in a session?

    The number of proofs you get from a family photo session varies based on the package you choose to buy. However, it’s common for a family photographer to provide a client with 35 to 60 images per session.