Family of three crouches among white roses at Hotel Del Coronado

San Diego Family Photos | Ava’s Annual Birthday Tradition

Family of three crouches among white roses at Hotel Del Coronado

Every year on Ava’s birthday, Elise and her family make the drive down to San Diego, and every year we do a session.

Father and daughter pose together for San Diego family photographer session
Girl in turquoise dress strolls through Hotel Del Coronado garden
Mother and daughter walking hand in hand through white flower garden at Hotel del Coronado
Girl in teal dress sitting among white blooms and palm trees at Hotel del Coronado
Mother smiles in teal floral top for San Diego headshots session
San Diego family walks hand in hand through blooming garden path
Girl in turquoise dress posing hand on hip on brick garden path
Girl in turquoise dress smiling back over her shoulder on path
Family of three walks along Coronado beach reflected in wet sand

I’ve watched Ava go from a toddler who wanted nothing to do with my camera to a nine-year-old ready to run the show. There’s always a giant number balloon. The first few years Ava was terrified of it, then she merely tolerated it. Elise figured this might be the last balloon year, but. Ava has come to love the tradition and disagrees! She’s already requested a "1" and a "0" for next time. Twice the balloon fun!!

Girl in teal dress celebrates birthday with number balloon on Coronado Beach at sunset
Girl in teal dress twirling barefoot in ocean waves at golden hour
Family of three holding a pool float on Coronado Beach at dusk
Father runs on the sand with two laughing kids at sunrise
Husband embracing wife on the shoreline at Coronado Beach sunset
Couple embracing in lush garden at Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego family photographer session

This year they also brought a butterfly kite along, too. Elise braced herself for photos revealing a combination of "lack of user skill and wind" but the kite pictures ended up being her favorite! I loved the way the sun shone through the colorful fabric, and once we figured out how to manage "flying" the kite, it all worked out. Elise and Samuel, thank you for making me part of Ava’s birthday every year, and especially for blessing me with your friendship.

Girl smiling while flying a butterfly kite on Coronado Beach
Girl running with butterfly kite along Coronado Beach at sunset, back view
Girl holding mermaid balloon wading in shallow water at Coronado Beach sunset
Father and daughter holding hands walking on reflective wet sand, Coronado Beach family photos
Father and daughter walking hand in hand on Coronado Beach shoreline
Mother and daughter smiling together on the sand as waves roll in at sunset
Girl splashing through shallow surf running along Coronado Beach shoreline

See you next September!

Family of three on lifeguard tower with Hotel Del Coronado behind them
Silhouette of family walking hand in hand at Coronado Beach sunset

Dreaming of photos like these for your own family? Let’s plan your session.

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