September 24, 2024

3 siblings show off their muscles during a fun beach family photoshoot in Del Mar, Calfornia

Not only was this Gold Hope Project special to shoot because I got to meet Gigi and her family and hear her cancer story, it also happened to be a ton of fun!  What’s the Gold Hope Project? It’s a non-profit whose mission is to raise awareness of childhood cancer through photography. The Project gifts […]

September 17, 2024

Dad and little girl hugging on a field during a lifestyle family photo session at Mission Trails Regional Park

. Planning a family or maternity photoshoot, and wondering about the best photoshoot locations in San Diego? I’m here for you! Choosing a location for your photos can be tricky, since for the best photos, everything has to come together in one particular spot: background, lighting, scenery, accessibility, and the (lack of) crowds. As an […]

September 2, 2024

. “Mishawna is amazing!! Not only is she wonderful and sweet to be around during your appointment, it is clear that she knows what she is doing and cares deeply about educating herself and her clients on all things hair! I have been going to her for her special “Painted Hair” technique that never disappoints, […]

August 28, 2024

Marine Corp mom sitting in San Diego field kissing baby during family photo session

This is why I’ll always give a military discount. It’s the least I can do.

August 21, 2024

A man wearing a white dress shirt stands in a golden field at sunset, kissing his young daughter on the forehead while he holds her. The rest of the family is walking in the background.

. If you’ve been in the market lately for a San Diego photographer, perhaps you’ve seen the term “lifestyle photography” or “lifestyle photographer” pop up. But what is lifestyle photography? And how is it different from regular photography? (For the purposes of this post, I’m going to call regular family photography “traditional posed family photography.”) […]

August 14, 2024

A man and woman stand on a grassy Oregon sand dune and embrace, while the woman is holding a baby.

Is your husband’s/partner’s most dreaded time of year family photo time? Here’s how help him hate it a little less.

August 8, 2024

Little girl and brothers playing tug of war during a family photography session in Mission Trails Regional Park.

“That was fun. When can I see you again?” -Isaac, 5, after a session. . As a San Diego lifestyle family photographer, I’ve photographed kids for years. And given my pick, I’ll take kids being their wild selves over standing still and smiling cooperatively at the camera any day. That’s right. I want your kids […]

July 30, 2024

A pregnant woman in a long pink dress hold her belly, smiles, and looks off to her left while sitting on a blanket in a San Diego field.

. As a San Diego lifestyle family photographer who photographs families, maternity, and newborns, I often get the inside scoop on what moms love and recommend. Recently, I took a survey of lots of moms, asking them where to find the best prenatal massage in San Diego. Below I’ve listed the three names that came […]

July 23, 2024

A fasther standing on Coronado Beach, leaning over and hugging his three young daughters, who are all looking at toward the ocean and laughing.

. As a long-time San Diegan, a mom, and an experienced family photographer round these parts, I’ve had my fair share of all the great stuff there is to do around here. There are the big, obvious things: the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, the beach, Legoland. But maybe you’re looking for something fresh and […]

July 19, 2024

. If you’re on the fence about having maternity photos taken, or wondering which style of maternity photography you’d prefer (traditional posed photography vs. lifestyle photography), let me give you a little nudge… (And if you’re wondering what the heck “lifestyle photography” even is, click on the link in the sentence above for an explanation). […]

July 12, 2024

A mom holds hand with her two kids and walks on a large rock during a family photo shoot in Glacier National Park.

. . Family Photos in Glacier National Park: Here’s What You Need to Know If your family is anything like mine, our gorgeous national parks are some of your favorite places to visit, and the sites of some of your best times together as a family. So…. how incredibly meaningful would it be then to […]

June 18, 2024

A blond toddler boy in white overalls runs toward the surf during a Carlsbad, California beach sunset.

. After a fun day at Legoland or the beach, you’re probably ready for some food that isn’t served from a cart or a plastic bag, am I right? But the kids are tired and maybe even a little cranky, and you don’t want to temp fate by taking them someplace they’ll need to be […]

June 7, 2024

A toddler girl in a white dress holds her skirt and twirls around with her mama next to her during a lifestyle family photoshoot in Del Mar, CA

. Hey parents, if you’re planning a trip to our wonderful city with the little ones in tow, and you’re a human who needs to eat, you’re probably wondering where to find the best kid friendly restaurants in San Diego. Am I right? Fear not, because I’ve rounded up a couple of joints that offer […]

June 4, 2024

“Our session was such a great time, as always. I’m so grateful to be your client… thank you.” -Karlene . . One of my greatest joys as a family photographer in San Diego is getting to see the same families year after year. Watching people’s children grow is an honor I just don’t take for […]

May 28, 2024

A man and woman stand back to back on a Coronado Beach sand dune, holding their children, during a San Diego family photoshoot.

Summer of 2024 update: unfortunately, due to ongoing issues with waste management at the border, this beautiful beach and community has been experiencing frequent beach closures. You can still enjoy the stunning sand area (sunset beach walk, anyone?), it’s just not advised you go in the water when the yellow signs are posted. Hopefully this […]

May 22, 2024

A pregnant woman in a pink dress holds her skirt while walking through green field during a maternity photo session by Love Michelle Photography in San Diego, CA.

. . As a maternity photographer in San Diego, I understand the significance of beautiful photographs. But if you’re anything like I was during my pregnancy, you’re on the fence about whether to have maternity pictures taken. You’re not feeling your best, you’re uncertain when to schedule them, and you have no idea what you […]

May 15, 2024

3 little girls stand on the shoreline of Coronado Beach at sunset, looking out to sea, during a San Diego beach photo session.

Visiting San Diego and looking for some great local suggestions on where to eat? I’ve lived here for more than 20 years, and while I definitely have my favorites (see #1 and #5), I wanted to see what other locals had to say. So I surveyed over 800 people who call San Diego home, and […]

April 20, 2024

A woman wearing a hat and jeans hugs her ten year old sun in Death Valley's Badwater Basin.

As a San Diego lifestyle family photographer, I’ve visited and used dozens for locations for sessions, some very popular and others a little more hidden (sshhhh….). Choosing the right location for your precious photographs is an essential ingredient of their final look & feel, so I’d love to use my expertise to help you decide. […]

April 4, 2024

A man and wife stand and kiss one another during sunset on a Coronado Beach sand dune.

“Even my husband said he would do photos with you again!” -Dani Congratulations to Dani & Adam, celebrating a hard-won 20 years of marriage with a vow renewal on Coronado Beach, followed by a fun and romantic photo shoot to memorialize the day and their love and commitment to one another. They wisely chose Coronado […]

March 21, 2024

A new mom holds and looks at her newborn baby during an in home newborn photo session in San Diego.

“Thank you so much!! I love them!! They turned out so great!” -Brianna This lifestyle newborn photography session with Brianna and Michael turned so out beautifully. And Ava, their sweet dog: she was so concerned every time their baby made a noise or cried – it was incredibly sweet. See below for all the highlights […]

February 16, 2024

A pregnant woman wearing a pink dress and sitting on a yellow blanket in long grass holds her belly and lifts her face to the sun. This is during a San Diego lifestyle maternity photo session by Love Michelle Photography.

Spring is coming soon, and with it San Diego’s (short) season of wildflowers and hillsides carpeted with lush greenery. What? You are pregnant, you say? And planning to capture this singularly beautiful time in your life through professional photographs? Proudly biased, I say bravo! to you (and you can read about why you won’t regret […]

February 6, 2024

Families who have their annual family photos taken in the fall are no doubt familiar with the routine: contact your photographer, squeeze in to one of the few remaining dates they have left during the fall Christmas card rush, and then keep your fingers crossed that you’ll get your photos back in time to get […]

September 14, 2023

A man and his pregnant wife stand in a grassy field smiling at each other, while the man hold their black dog.

. Your dog is family – which is why many of you want to include him or her in your family or maternity photo session. And as an experienced San Diego family photographer, I highly encourage it, with a few caveats. But how do you include your dog successfully, so things go as smoothly as […]

September 3, 2023

Dad and toddler son in a field in the Cuyamaca Mountains during a San Diego fall family photo session by Love Michelle Photography.

Yes, we live in San Diego, right on the coast, and the beach works beautifully for family photo sessions no matter what time of year. But it is fall, and, especially with the anticipation of cooler weather, you may be getting that… feeling. You know the one. Common signs include pulling out your apple/cinnamon/hazelnut/pumpkin/latte/spice/whatnot candles […]

August 4, 2023

Summer’s stretching on for those of us with kids not in school yet, and you’ve probably been hearing it for days or weeks now: “I’m booorrred,” “there’s nothing to doooo…,” etc. Do I have a fun solution for you! I started doing this with my now 10 year old daughter last summer, and found that […]

July 26, 2023

A family of 5 stands together on the shores of Glacier National Park's Lake McDonald during a Montana lifestyle family photography session by Love Michelle Photography.

I say yes! Not convinced? 😆 Here are 3 benefits of hiring a travel photographer for your family vacation: 1. You get to hand pick the photographer you like the most, and aren’t limited by who’s in the area you’re vacationing in. If your vacation spot is in some far-flung location, away from a major […]

June 1, 2023

A husband and his pregnant wife hold hands and look at eachother in front of a giant rock during a lifestyle maternity photo session in Alpine, CA.

So you’re expecting – congratulations! Whether it’s your first baby or your 5th, I’m glad you’re considering having professional photographs taken, and here’s why. But perhaps you’re stuck on deciding between the two main styles of maternity photography: traditional studio posed photography, vs the more documentary-style lifestyle maternity photography Let me help! Yes, I’m biased, but […]

May 24, 2023

A pregnant woman in a pink dress laying on a yellow blanket holding her belly and closing her eyes during a San Diego lifestyle maternity session by Love Michelle Photography.

A solo maternity session is always fun (it turns into a lot of laughs and gal-paling around), but this one was especially meaningful because of why the photographs were being taken: Hanayo’s husband is deployed, and is missing out on this extraordinarily special time of expecting their first child together. . So she’s gifting him […]

May 2, 2023

A family of five standing on a large rock together on a Del Mar beach during a lifestyle family photography session.

For those of you looking for suggestions for a north county family photo location, today is your day. 😉 As a San Diego lifestyle family, maternity, and newborn photographer, I’ve visited and used dozens for locations for sessions, some very popular and others a little more hidden (sshhhh….). Choosing the right location for your precious […]

March 22, 2023

A woman wearing a long blue dress standing in a Mt. Laguna field looking at her husband during a San Diego lifestyle family photography session by Love Michelle Photography

. As a local San Diego family photographer, I was recently featured in a Redfin article after they asked me about my favorite San Diego fun fact. Here’s what I gave them as my favorite San Diego fun fact: Did you know that in San Diego, you can surf and sled on the same day?? […]

March 9, 2023

“What should we wear for our photo session?” As a San Diego family photographer, It’s a common and reasonable question I get whenever someone books a photo session and this makes me happy! Why does it make me happy? . Though any session booked with me includes unlimited styling assistance (I’ve even shopped for clients!), […]

February 12, 2023

Mother holding newborn baby girl during a San Diego in-home newborn photo session by Love Michelle Photography

Congratulations! You’ll be bringing a new baby home soon (or maybe you already have), and you’d like to document this sweet & fleeting time with professional photographs. But perhaps you’re stuck on deciding between the two main styles of newborn photography: traditional studio posed photography (think wrapped babies and froggy poses), and in-home lifestyle photography. Let […]

February 1, 2023

Pregnant woman holding her little boy on a field in Mission Trails Regional Park during a San Diego lifestyle maternity photo session.

So you’re expecting a baby – congratulations! First of all, I’m so glad you’re having professional maternity photos taken – I tell you why here. But you’re here to talk about locations, so without further ado, here are 3 location ideas for a maternity photo session in San Diego: Maternity Session Location #1: Mission Trails […]

January 18, 2023

Mom sitting in a chair holding new newborn baby during a San Diego in-home lifestyle newborn photo session by Love Michelle Photography

Congratulations on your sweet new baby! You’re now settled back in at home and your in-home newborn session is on the calendar. But since it’s still early, you and your baby’s schedule is still a bit unpredictable, and your energy level isn’t up to cleaning the house, preparing the perfect outfits, and putting on a […]

January 10, 2023

A pregnant woman and her husband snuggling on a blanket during a San Diego lifestyle maternity photo session.

. First of all, I’m so glad you’re planning to capture this gestational miracle with professional photographs! I tell you why you’ll be glad you did it in my post here. But when is the best time to have pregnancy photos taken? The answer is, generally, between 28 and 34 weeks (see the next section […]

December 1, 2022

Mom and son hugging on the Imperial Sand Dunes near Glamis during a San Diego lifestyle family photography session.

Sometimes, nothing less than epic will do. As a San Diego lifestyle family, maternity, and newborn photographer, I’ve visited and used dozens for locations for sessions, some very popular and others a little more hidden (sshhhh….). Choosing the right location for your precious photographs is an essential ingredient of their final look & feel, so […]