San Diego Lifestyle Beach Session | Wylie Family

Every year I invest in going to a photography workshop or take continuing education in photography. There are not many workshops that align with my style and family motherhood photography brand, however I finally found one I love, The Hybrid Collective. This year it was held in San Diego, California at the Bahia Hotel Resort. Knowing that I was only attending two sessions at Hybrid Co, I searched out to find more families to photograph. This is one of my personal family model calls that I curated while visiting California.

parents hold kids hands and walk with them down the beach smiling

girls with bows twirling dresses in the sand on the beach while one sister kisses the other

family at Corona Beach California walking in the sand holding hand together

mom and dad hold the baby while the older siblings dance around

mom snuggles baby in a blanket while dad kisses older sisters forehead while on the beach of Huntington

photography family session on the beach of Coronado Beach in California

little girl sits on her moms lap as she brushes her hair

family photography session of mom dad and three little girls on the beach of San Diego in California

couple embraces each other and hugs and the kids hold hands and play in the sand at the beach

Finding Clients in other Cities

Internet win! Did you know that Instagram is a fantastic way of finding things you are searching for? I begin my family search by looking up hashtags for a particular area. Families that I ask to model for me in other cities are always found this way, as I have found it super successful. I begin looking up the city and add key words that would help me find clients that fit my criteria for the session. Example of things I search are: #SanDiegoFamily, #SanDiegoMom, #SanDiegoVacation

Finding the sweet Wylie family made my heart so happy! It is a bit odd when a internet stranger messages you asking if your family would like to model for a photography session. I clearly explain my goal to accomplish for my ideal session and let them know I just need them to show up with a smile. Ashlee + Doug are both photographers, so they knew what I was looking for in a session! Their three girls were such a joy, had the sweetest manners, and loved playing at the beach with their parents. Even though it was very chilly that day, a smile never left their faces.

family of five snuggles and hugs on the beach of San Diego while they are getting photographed

mom hugs her little girls on the beach while taking a photography session in San Diego

photography family session on Coronado Beach in San Diego California as they walk holding hands on the beach

big sisters kiss little sister as they smile for the camera during their photography session on Coronado Beach in San Diego

daddy holds his little baby girl as he tickles her and gives her kisses

family photography session on the beach of San Diego taken by photographer to use as a model call for her portfolio

Mom and dad smile at the camera for a portrait on the beach in San Diego by photographer while children play

Picking Locations in Other Cities

After messages back and forth, we decided on the local beach, Coronado Beach, close to their house in San Diego. Here in Louisiana there is not options for beach photography, so I like to practice photographing in different locations. Being well rounded in photography is important to me. I want to be confident and proficient photographing in any type of weather, any location, and with any size family. Whatever I get thrown, I want to be able to not only handle it but do it while rendering beautiful images.

Being that they are a photography family, I was lucky that Ashlee knew just the perfect spot to photograph. I trusted her vision because she does this for a living as well. However, this is not always the case when I find model call clients. If the client is unfamiliar with the surrounding locations, scouting the area is critical to the outcome of the session. When I moved to Huntington Beach for the summer of 2019, I spent an entire week adventuring trying to find the perfect location to photograph. Google Maps is a good place to begin looking for open spaces, parks, or local beaches.

Take note, at certain locations, there can be permits that need to be obtained and fees paid to the city.

photography poses for family on the beach as kids run under blanket

chilly day on the beach baby is wrapped in a blanket held by mom and dad

baby girl laughs as her dad tickles her on the beach in California during a photography session

Booking Model Calls for Branding

Lastly, I want to talk about booking model calls for branding. I get the most fulfillment when I have freedom to photograph what fills my cup. For instance, shooting 90% of what is shown here on FILM! Something I rarely get to do because it is such an expense.

From styling each family members wardrobe selections, picking location, trying new poses, and no weight of having the “perfect” shot on my shoulders, I find myself completely inspired. I am able to capture the family’s emotion without hesitation or worry. I want other photographers to remember why they fell in love with photographing in the first place. Take on sessions that inspire, challenge, and push creatively to be the best photographer you can be!

babys sandy feet hang out of a blanket during a photography session on the beach

mother looks into baby's eyes as she cries while being held by her father

black and white image of family hugging together on a beach for a photography session in San Diego

father holding all of his children detail photograph of his hands interlocked and childrens toes showing

baby of the family gets held in a blanket while being consoled by mother

mom holds daughters hand for a detail portrait on the beach

baby sucks thumb as it's wrapped in blanket and stairs at father holding her

Yes, I cried when I got these images. They are everything I imagined in my head and more! Thank you Ashlee, Doug, and the girlies~