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, maternity, or senior 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 […]

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.”) […]

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 […]

July 22, 2025

Siblings hugging and smiling during school photo session | Love Michelle Photography

Let’s talk school picture day: those envelopes that come home with a too-bright backdrop, a forced smile that looks more like a grimace, and a shirt you swear they didn’t leave the house in. Yep, we’ve all been there. That’s exactly why I put together this San Diego school photo outfit guide, because with just […]

July 20, 2025

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 […]

July 16, 2025

San Diego Photographer captures mother and daughter twirling their dresses together during Diego family photos

. Hey parents, if you’re planning a trip to our wonderful city with your kids, 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 more than just […]

July 13, 2025

Golden hour maternity photo in San Diego featuring an expectant couple walking hand-in-hand through tall grass, bathed in warm sunset light.

. . When it comes to your San Diego maternity photos, the where can shape the entire feeling of your session. San Diego is full of beautiful options, from sunset cliffs and windswept mountain meadows to rock-strewn beaches. But finding the right location for you, one that helps tell your unique story, takes more than […]

July 7, 2025

Siblings smiling during fine art school photography session | Love Michelle Photography

. Hi, I’m Michelle! I’m a San Diego-based lifestyle family photographer, mom, and believer that real moments trump perfect poses every time. Since launching Love Michelle Photography back in 2017, I’ve had a very specific mission: to create photographs that don’t feel stiff or staged, but that reflect the real people in front of the […]

June 16, 2025

Little boy smiling during School Photography in San Diego session | Love Michelle Photography

What makes fine art school photos so special? It’s more than pretty pictures – these portraits offer real emotional and educational benefits. By encouraging self-expression and authenticity, this approach can make picture day empowering rather than stressful. Parents and educators report that children who see these portraits feel more confident and valued for who they […]

June 10, 2025

A family of four stands in Montana's Lake McDonald during a Glacier family photoshoot.

. Whether Glacier National Park is your favorite place on earth, or you’re about to visit it for the first time, there’s no better place to invest in some (epic) new family photos. Whether you’re traveling from out of state or you’re lucky enough to call the Flathead Valley home, here’s 3 reasons to take […]

June 2, 2025

Siblings hugging and smiling during school photo session | Love Michelle Photography

School photo day doesn’t have to mean forced smiles, wrinkled backdrops, and ordering forms you forget to return. If you’ve ever looked at your child’s school portraits and thought, “could that smile look any more forced?” — you’re not alone. That’s exactly why more San Diego schools (and parents) are turning to Fine Art School […]

May 19, 2025

San Diego Maternity Photographer captures woman holding pregnant belly at sunset

There is nothing quite like a family beach session – golden light, soft waves, and bare feet in the sand. When it comes to planning what to wear, this is where many families find themselves stuck. Coordinating outfits for multiple people without being too “matchy-matchy” can feel overwhelming, especially when you want everyone to look […]

May 5, 2025

Picture this: The sun is setting, theres a light constant ocean breeze, your kids are running and playing and you are documenting this time in space for forever. That is the magic of having beach family photos done. For families, the beach offers more than just a day of fun—it’s a perfect place to capture […]