Spring Break Surprise: Why This Mom Booked a Secret Photo Session

Sometimes, life gives you a wake-up call that makes you realize how fast time is flying—and how important it is to hit pause for a second. For Sabrina, that moment came after her husband had a stroke at 41. A year later, her son turned 10, and she decided it was time.

Time for updated family photos. Time to mark a new season of life. Time to finally stop putting it off.

So during a quick spring break trip from Las Vegas to San Diego, she surprised her husband and son with a mini photo session. They had no idea it was coming, but they were totally up for it once it started. “We hadn’t taken family photos in about seven years—even though my husband is a photographer!” Sabrina shared.

“I just wanted something casual and fun—urban, not fancy. Just us being who we are.”

That’s exactly what we aimed for, and it shows in the photos. One of Sabrina’s favorites is a shot of the three of them laughing together. No posing, no pressure—just a real moment that reflects their relationship perfectly.

Getting to that point wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Like many family photo sessions, there were some last-minute hiccups: forgotten pants, no hair gel, a little stress about running late. But they made it, and now those images are up in their home, reminding them of this season of life.

Here’s a little more about the family:

  • Sabrina: the planner and the one who made it all happen
  • Matt: photographer, husband, and great dad
  • Mateo (10): sports-loving goofball with a big heart and lots of energy

This year is a big one—Matt’s health is strong, Mateo’s hit double digits, and they’re celebrating 15 years of marriage. They made the most of their time in San Diego with walks through Balboa Park, hanging out at the beach, taking a tour of the Midway, and a fun night at Belmont Park.

When asked what she’d tell someone considering booking a session, Sabrina kept it simple:

“Capture the moment. You’ll never regret having these photos to look back on.”

Man, woman, and child standing before red door with garland in Little Italy
Man and woman hold hands against bold black and white striped street wall
Man, woman, and child peek through ornate trellis with flowering plants
Child smiles through ornate black trellis in garden, Little Italy
Child poses with hand on chain-link fence against urban street
Child grins in bright outdoor portrait in San Diego urban setting
Man, woman, and child laugh together against colorful Little Italy mural
Man and woman embrace before vibrant street art in Little Italy
Woman and child sit together against Little Italy wall mural
Child and man sit on metal railing with palm plant, modern building behind
Man, woman, and child laugh together on railing with palm plants
Woman in hot pink sits on railing with palm plant, urban backdrop
Man leans on railing with palm plant, modern glass building behind
Man and woman sit together against colorful urban mural, San Diego
Man, woman, and child sit together against colorful Little Italy street art

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