San Diego Family Photos | Christmas Magic in the Sand

Active-duty military, Tiavonna has traveled far and wide, calling many cities home along the way. Her daughter Brielle was even born in Japan! But San Diego still has her heart. She’s all in on the weather, the beaches, and what she swears is the best Mexican food outside of Mexico. Now back in her hometown, she wanted to celebrate this season with all the California flair. She reached out early with a vision—Christmas card magic with formal attire and Christmas trees in the sand—and I was immediately on board. It was a look she’d dreamed of doing for years, and this was the moment!

At three years old, little Brielle was totally up for wearing a fancy dress. Apparently, she takes after her mama, who just so happened to be Little Miss California 1989, Tiny Tots Division. Brielle’s current obsessions include KPop Demon Hunters, and her mom calls her a silly goose with a sharp little mind. It was such an honor to photograph these two stunners in their gorgeous dresses—and double the trees, since we each brought one! The light was fading fast when we started, but we knew the look we wanted, and we both love how it all turned out.

Woman and toddler standing on sand beside two Christmas trees at Hotel del Coronado
Woman and toddler in flowing teal dresses on the beach during golden hour light
Woman and toddler kneeling and embracing on the sand with rocky dunes behind
Woman and toddler sitting face-to-face on the sand gazing at each other at beach
Woman sitting on sand holding toddler with a Christmas tree positioned behind
Woman in formal teal dress standing alone on the sand during golden hour at beach
Woman and toddler holding hands and walking along the sand at sunset on beach
Woman and toddler standing together full-length on the sand during golden hour
Toddler in teal tulle dress standing alone on the sand in profile at the beach
Toddler in teal dress standing on sand looking over her shoulder at the beach
Woman and toddler sitting together on a rock with Hotel del Coronado behind them
Woman and toddler standing at Hotel del Coronado beach with the iconic building
Woman and toddler embracing on the sand with Hotel del Coronado in soft focus
Woman holding toddler in her lap with Hotel del Coronado's turret prominent
Silhouette of woman and toddler with Christmas tree against golden sunset sky

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