Charlene LaskyFinding a photographer in San Diego isn’t hard. Finding a great one is. A few years ago, I booked someone for a family shoot based solely on their Instagram, and the results didn’t match the filters.
The photos felt awkward, and no one looked their best. That’s when I realized great photography isn’t just about gear — it’s about trust and how well the photographer works with people.
Since then, I’ve worked with several photographers across branding and events, and the difference a true professional makes is clear.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of the city’s best photographers. So before you settle for another “almost good enough” album, check out these photographers who actually deliver the results you’re hoping for.
How much do photographers charge in San Diego?
Photographers in San Diego typically charge between $200 and $600 for standard portrait or family sessions. Additional features, such as advanced editing, extra prints, or expedited delivery, can increase the overall cost.
1. Amy Gray Photography
Address: 10424 Celestial Waters Dr, 91977
Contact Details: +1 619-322-4986
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM
With over 14 years of experience, Amy Gray has earned a strong reputation among San Diego families. She primarily works with families, high school students, and couples for engagements or proposals. Her signature style is soft, light-filled, and timeless.
I noticed the level of care she puts into prepping her clients. After booking, she sent over a detailed Session Prep Guide.
It’s not a quick checklist, but rather practical tips on outfit coordination, as well as guidance on which shoes (or no shoes) would work best. Her beach portraits are especially stunning. She really knows how to use San Diego’s coastline to full effect.
We chose Coronado for our session, and watching her work with the golden hour light was impressive. She directed just enough to make us look great without making us feel overly posed.
But keep in mind that her style and locations are very beach-focused. If you’re looking for an urban or indoor studio shoot, she may not be the best fit.
True professional
“Amy is a true professional! She was recommended to us by some family who lives in San Diego and we were quick to book her for an extended family session while we were on vacation in San Diego. She was great with the group’s 2 toddlers and was efficient & an expert on prompts and posing. Our photos were delivered within a week and they are absolutely beautiful. We will cherish them forever!”
– Allyssa Woods, Google Review
Unforgettable photo session
“Our family had an unforgettable photo session with Amy Gray at the beautiful Hotel Del and on the beach on Coronado, CA. Amy’s expertise, warmth, and creativity made the entire experience truly special and enjoyable for everyone, from our youngest grandchild to us the grandparents. Amy has a extraordinary talent for making everyone feel at ease, which is no small feat when dealing with young kids! Her friendly and engaging approach helped our grandchildren relax and have fun, resulting in natural, joyful smiles in every shot. Amy’s attention to detail and dedication to her expertise were evident throughout the session. She managed to capture both the candid moments of laughter and the more posed family shots with equal skill and creativity. The final photos exceeded our expectations in every way. There was not one photo that we didn’t love! We now have a collection of timeless photos that we will treasure forever. We would highly recommend Amy for any family photo session in the San Diego area. Her talent, professionalism, and genuine care for us made her a standout photographer. Thank you, Amy, for capturing these precious memories for our family—we couldn’t be happier with the results!”
– Kerry Ritchie, Google Review
2. Katherine Beth Photography
Contact Details: +1 360-305-8320
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Wednesday – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Tuesday and Thursday – Closed
- Friday – 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday – 12:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Katherine Beth Photography stands out for the long-term relationships she builds with clients. I was genuinely amazed at how many families and couples return to her year after year, trusting her to capture life’s biggest milestones.
Her wedding packages are flexible and customizable, offering options such as a second photographer and beautifully crafted albums and prints.
Coverage ranges from 4 to 10 hours, and her timeline support helps the day run smoothly. Her thoughtful approach extends to family and graduation sessions as well.
During one shoot, I saw how she creates relaxed, natural moments that make even the most shy family members genuinely enjoy the experience.
I was also impressed by her turnaround speed. Photos arrive in 2–3 weeks, neatly organized in a private gallery with full print rights. The images are vibrant, crisp, and offer a great mix of candid and classic shots.
However, she focuses mainly on families, graduations, and weddings. If you’re looking for headshots or pet sessions, she may not be the right fit.
Amazing eye for photography
“We booked Katherine for a family photo session during our vacation in San Diego, and she exceeded all expectations! These are some of our favorite family photos ever—we’ll definitely be framing a few for our home. Katherine has an amazing eye for photography and was so great with the kids, making the whole experience relaxed and enjoyable. It was truly a pleasure working with her, and we’re already looking forward to our next session when we’re back in town. Thank you, Katherine—you’re incredible!”
– Divine, Google Review
Professional and punctual
“We booked Katherine to shoot our wedding day, which also came with an engagement shoot session, and we cannot recommend her enough! Within the first few minutes of our engagement session we immediately could tell we were in good hands and that our pictures would be amazing. Seeing how incredible our engagement shoot turned out only made us more excited for our wedding day. Katherine was so amazing to work with and made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera. She was professional and punctual and even gave us great advice when discussing other areas of our wedding! Our family and friends could not stop complimenting her direction and vision the day of the wedding and Katherine was so willing to look through some inspo photos I sent her prior to the day and looked for ways to recreate them at our venue. We were absolutely floored by her work when we received the photos back. The images are so crisp and the colors are gorgeous and she gave us so much variety! It is going to be so hard to decide which photos we want to hang on our walls!”
– Brooke Powers, Google Review
3. Portraits By Z
Address: 8305 Vickers St #210, 92111
Contact Details: +1 619-514-3810
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Portraits By Z offers a carefully tailored experience focused on boudoir and maternity photography. Known for its fine art style, the studio prioritizes emotional comfort and personal expression.
Before booking, clients have a virtual or in-person consultation with Zeynep, the founder. During this session, they discuss their vision, outfit ideas, and possible San Diego outdoor locations.
Clients I spoke with say this step helps them feel supported, especially if they’re unsure where to start. However, it may slow down the booking process for those wanting to schedule quickly.
The in-studio hair and makeup service was another highlight. Many people described it as a relaxing and pampering way to begin the day.
A few women I talked to really liked the wardrobe options. Portraits By Z offer items such as lingerie, corsets, and fun props that make the shoot feel special. Having this range of options helps turn nerves into excitement.
Delivered the photos promptly
“Z is incredibly talented! This was my very first boudoir shoot, and I wanted to create something special for my fiancé. From the beginning, Z made me feel completely comfortable and confident. She provided helpful guidance on what to bring, how to pose, and even had a beautiful selection of extra lingerie on hand when a few of my own pieces didn’t work out. The session itself was amazing—Z brought in a fantastic makeup artist who made me feel absolutely glamorous and camera-ready. I felt so empowered throughout the entire experience. Z delivered the photos promptly and made sure I had the chance to review each one carefully. She offered a variety of purchasing options and payment plans, which made everything stress-free and accessible. If you’re considering a boudoir shoot, I can’t recommend Z enough. She’s not only incredibly skilled and professional, but also body-positive, thoughtful, and genuinely passionate about making you feel your best. The entire experience was truly fantastic!”
– Kamille Magante, Google Review
Always attentive to questions
“I just received my photos and I’m surprised at how beautiful they turned out. Zeynep is always attentive to your questions and makes you feel confident on the day of the photography session. I would recommend not missing this experience. It was unforgettable and the photos were beautiful. Very good work. 100% recommended.💗💗💗💗💗”
– Sandy06 Sandy06, Google Review
4. Rich Soublet Photography
Address: 3919 Fourth Ave, Suite D, 92103
Contact Details: +1 619-813-2888
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday to Saturday – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Sunday – Closed
Rich Soublet Photography makes the headshot process feel surprisingly easy, which I didn’t expect when I went in.
I booked a session for updated professional photos and was impressed by how smoothly everything was handled. Rich shoots tethered to a monitor, so I could see the images in real time, which boosted my confidence mid-shoot.
His setup is top-notch. He uses full-frame mirrorless cameras and prime lenses that deliver crisp images with a soft background. A friend I spoke to told me she loved how natural and flattering the lighting was.
Rich’s use of softboxes and strobes gave everything a flattering tone. It worked well across different skin tones, which not every photographer nails.
Turnaround was quick too. I got digital proofs within two days, and once I picked my favorites, the final edits were ready within 48 hours.
Just note that his focus is on headshots. If you’re looking for weddings, events, or lifestyle shoots, you may need to look elsewhere.
The most incredible photography process
“My greatest 1 on 1 photography experience. I am an actor, model, writer, director and entrepreneur. In my field I am often working with photographers for professional purposes. My experience with Rich Soublet was by far the most incredible process I have ever been apart of. He was extremely professional and met me where I was. I think that’s what really elevated this experience. He is extremely present, focused on your goals and does the additional work to help you stand out. He has great vibes with amazing music to help you find your zone, he is very detailed in his work, and knows how to DIRECT YOU!! The package is more than what I expected and I left the room feeling confident, grateful, and so happy. He is a wealth of knowledge and a master of his craft. I would recommend Rich to anyone serious about growing their career, business and craft. Rich, Thank you for everything.”
– Vandous Stripling II, Google Review
Incredible production photography
“Rich did an amazing job with my professional headshot. I didn’t know what to expect since this was my first professional session for LinkedIn. He made me feel comfortable and relaxed as we talked a little about why I was there along with a little about life. He also does incredible work with production photography outside or inside of his studio. Parking is not too bad with plenty of street parking throughout the area. I highly recommend him and would use him again.”
– Aaron A, Google Review
5. Elle G Photography
Address: 1070 Sapphire St, 92109
Contact Details: +1 858-344-1068
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Elle G Photography offers a fresh take on portraits, driven by Lisa’s love for San Diego’s coastal lifestyle.
Right away, you see she’s focused on capturing real emotions, not just posed shots. My family isn’t the “pose and smile” type, but Lisa’s relaxed and playful style made us feel comfortable and natural.
She mainly does family photos, maternity shoots, and engagement pictures. She captures real moments in beautiful outdoor settings.
Liza knows how to use natural light effectively, creating warm and vibrant photos. Her shots feature bright colors and soft skin tones that capture the calm, beachy feel she loves.
Many clients I spoke with also appreciated the convenience of her password-protected online galleries. You can easily view, download, and share high-resolution photos.
Plus, ordering prints or albums directly from the website is simple.
However, Elle G Photography focuses mainly on outdoor beach sessions. If you want studio lighting or indoor backdrops, the style might feel limited.
Incredible gift for capturing fun
“We’ve had the pleasure of working with Lisa for several years, and her work continues to amaze us. From capturing our family in the very beginning to now our girls’ senior photos—and everything in between—Lisa has documented so many meaningful moments in our lives, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Specializing in beach, family, and lifestyle photography, she has an incredible gift for capturing fun, relaxed moments that feel both genuine and timeless. Her easygoing nature puts everyone at ease—especially with kids—and it shows in the effortless beauty of her photos. We absolutely trust the process every time, knowing we’re in expert hands from start to finish. Beyond the stunning images, we’ve come to truly value the relationship we’ve built with Lisa over the years. We can’t recommend her highly enough to anyone looking to capture life’s special moments in a natural, meaningful way. We are truly thankful to have all of these cherished memories that she has captured on film for us over all these years! Thank you so much Lisa, you have such a special gift! The Traftons”
– Michael Trafton, Google Review
Makes you feel so comfortable
“Lisa is so talented! We are so lucky that we found her! We did our engagement photos on the beach at La Jolla Shores/Scripps and also a underwater shoot. We are so happy with our photos, we love how they turned out. Lisa is such a nice person and she makes you feel so comfortable and she is so easy to work with. The underwater photo session was extra fun, we laugh so much the whole time. We are looking forward to our wedding day and to once again create great memories on film that we can keep forever. I hope Lisa can continue to be our family photographer. 9 years later & we are so happy with our Wedding photos, maternity photos & family photos! We love Lisa Elle G so much & she is the best photographer!!!!”
– Maria Granlund, Google Review
