Sun, Sand, and Sunset Silhouettes: A Solana Beach Maternity Photoshoot
While my heart is firmly rooted in the rolling hills of the Temecula valley, there is something entirely magical about packing up the camera gear and heading down the coast. I keep a curated list of my absolute favorite beaches from Orange County all the way down to San Diego—including hidden gems in Laguna Beach, La Jolla, Oceanside, and the stunning cliffs of Solana Beach.
For this recent session, we headed down to Solana Beach for a dreamy maternity and family portrait shoot, and the coast absolutely showed out for us.
If you are thinking about trading the valley greenery for some salty air, here is a peek behind the scenes of how we capture that effortless coastal vibe (and how we outsmarted a very energetic toddler in the process).
The Secret to Beating the Beach Crowds
Southern California beaches are gorgeous, but they are rarely empty. If you want to avoid looking like you had your family portraits taken in the middle of a crowded tourist boardwalk, my number one tip is simple: book a weekday.
For this session, we met on a weekday exactly one hour before sunset. Not only did we bypass the massive weekend crowds, but we caught that breathtaking, soft golden hour light as it reflected off the damp sand. The beach offers a wild variety of lighting styles in an incredibly short amount of time, making every minute of that hour count.
Toddler Energy vs. 10 Minutes of Cooperation
Let's talk about the little superstar in these photos. You can see him having the absolute time of his life being tossed and swung by his parents.
The reality? Toddlers have an endless supply of energy, and my philosophy is always to just go with the flow! We really only had about 10 minutes of solid cooperation from him during the entire hour—and guess what? It was more than enough time to pull a ton of incredible, joyful shots.
The rest of the session was focused on stunning portraits of just Mom and Dad. The ultimate pro-tip here? They brought Grandma along! Having an extra set of hands to entertain the toddler in between his moments in front of the lens is the secret weapon to a stress-free beach shoot.
Effortless Coastal Styling
I always get asked about wardrobe changes for the beach. Honestly? When we hit the coast, it’s really not about outfit changes at all. It’s about the posing, the lighting, and the natural family dynamic.
Take a look at Mom. She just happened to have this gorgeous, pastel-toned dress sitting in her closet, and it couldn't have been more perfect. The soft sunset colors in the fabric perfectly mirrored the sky and water, letting her look effortless, comfortable, and completely radiant.
Chasing the Perfect Maternity Silhouette Photography in San Diego
As the hour wraps up, we build up to my absolute favorite part of a coastal session. If you are searching for maternity silhouette photography in San Diego, this is exactly the magic you are looking for.
To get those iconic, breathtaking silhouette shots, we wait until the precise moment the sun is about to hit the horizon. I look for that perfect backlit sunflare that outlines the beautiful curve of the maternity bump while capturing the deep, rich colors painting the sky.
And the fun doesn't stop when the sun disappears! Sometimes we can keep photographing for 10 to 15 minutes after sunset during twilight, catching those vivid, moody pinks and purples that you can only get by the ocean.
Let’s Head to the Coast
You don't have to stay stuck in the heat of the valley to get incredible portraits. For a $250 beach session fee, we can escape to the coast, let your kids splash in the tide, and capture a chapter of your life you'll want to look back on forever.
Whether you want to explore the cliffs of Solana Beach or find a quiet cove in Laguna, let's plan your coastal getaway.
Click here to book your beach photoshoot and lock in your sunset date. Let's chase the sunset together.
