Sea ya later, Charlie!

Sea Ya Later, Charlie! | A Coronado Beach Senior Session | Amy Gray Photography

Sea Ya Later, Charlie!

A Coronado Beach Senior Session

Charlie smiling on Coronado Beach at golden hour — senior portrait by Amy Gray Photography

When Cara reached out about grabbing a few beachy shots for her son’s graduation invitation, I figured we’d do a quick Petit Session one morning on Coronado. (I almost never shoot in the morning — sunset is my thing — but for Coronado? I’ll make an exception.) What was supposed to be a couple of photos for the invite turned into so much more.

If Cara’s name sounds familiar, you might know her as the incredible Taking Cara Babies — she’s a nurse who helps babies and toddlers sleep so families can thrive. But today, she’s here as Charlie’s very proud mom.

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The Backstory

Charlie is headed to Pepperdine University in the fall — go Waves! He already had his senior photos taken in the desert back home in Phoenix, but when the family planned a quick weekend trip to Coronado, Cara knew they needed some beachy shots to match his beach-themed graduation party. (The grad party theme: Pepperdine Waves, Sea Ya Later.)

I actually photographed Cara’s daughter’s senior session a while back, and a few of those photos included her daughter’s boyfriend at the time. Fast forward to today, and those two are husband and wife. I love that.

Charlie standing on a Coronado lifeguard stand with the Hotel del Coronado in the background
Charlie standing barefoot in the ocean waves at Coronado Beach Charlie leaning against the rocks at Coronado with warm golden light
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30 Minutes. That’s It.

Charlie wasn’t exactly counting down the days to this session. Early morning, vacation, and he’d already done his senior photos back home. Totally fair. But he showed up, we kept it chill, kept it quick, and 30 minutes later we were done.

Then I sent over a few sneak peeks.

Mom, these are so good. Tell her thank you so much. I love these.

That’s the thing with these quick sessions — you don’t need hours to get something good.

Charlie leaning on a lifeguard stand railing with a big smile
Charlie flexing playfully on top of a Coronado lifeguard stand Charlie smiling by colorful surfboards at Coronado
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A Mom’s Favorite

I asked Cara which photo was her favorite:

Probably the one where he’s leaning at the bottom of the lifeguard stand. I see that he’s a grown man, but my heart still sees him playing near that lifeguard stand every summer as a little boy. We visited Coronado often as he was growing up. It’s our home away from home.
Charlie leaning under the lifeguard stand — his mom's favorite photo from the session

Mom’s favorite.

Charlie on the lifeguard stand steps at Coronado Charlie sitting on coastal rocks in a sweater at golden hour
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Getting to Know Charlie

School & Senior Year

Charlie has been at his school since first grade — a true “lifer.” He has friendships that are incredibly near and dear to him, but he’s also ready for the next chapter. Next stop? Malibu.

What’s Next

Charlie plans to major in biology and go to med school. His dad is a pediatrician, and his mom and two sisters are nurses — it’s in his DNA.

Charlie sitting on rocks by the ocean at Coronado Charlie smiling on the rocks wearing a sweater
Proud Mom Moment

Charlie has a 4.3 GPA and a near-perfect ACT score. He was captain of the football team and emcee of all the school’s pep assemblies. He would never tell you any of this, of course — but that’s what moms are for.

About That Shirt

Charlie needed a shirt the night before the shoot and grabbed one of his dad’s. It ended up looking great — and his dad’s not getting it back.

Charlie standing in the ocean at Coronado, waves around his ankles
Charlie leaning against rocks with golden light behind Charlie standing barefoot on the sand at Coronado Beach
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Our Little Slice of Heaven

I’ll let Cara have the last word here, because she said it perfectly:

Coronado is our little slice of heaven. Everyone needs to come vacation here and let Amy grab some photos while you’re there.

Whether it’s a full senior session, a quick family shoot on vacation, or just a few portraits to capture a milestone — Coronado has the most beautiful light, and I’d love to photograph your story here.

Charlie sitting on the sand with surfboards and palm trees behind him
Charlie standing on the lifeguard stand with palm trees Charlie leaning against rocks with the ocean in the background

Congratulations, Charlie! Pepperdine is lucky to have you. 🌊

Visiting San Diego?

Whether you’re local or just in town for the weekend, I’d love to capture your family’s memories in one of San Diego’s most beautiful locations. Senior sessions, family portraits, couples — let’s make it happen.

Get in touch to book your session!

San Diego Senior Photographer · Coronado Beach Portraits · Senior Photos San Diego · Graduation Photographer · Pepperdine · Beach Senior Session · Amy Gray Photography · Coronado Island · Senior Portraits · Class of 2026

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