As a family photographer in Coronado, I get to witness these beautiful transitions—capturing the tiny details, the big emotions, and everything in between. I’ve had the privilege of photographing the Maurers multiple times over the years, and now? They’ve officially gone from a party of three to a fab four. Enter Mackenzie, the newest member of the Maurer crew.

We met up on the beach in Coronado, right near the iconic Hotel del Coronado. If you’ve ever been there, you know—it’s like the ultimate postcard setting: soft sands, sparkling waves, and that dreamy golden light that just shows up like, “Hey, let’s make some magic.” And magic is exactly what happened.

But let’s talk about one of Coronado’s best-kept secrets: the sand dunes. Not only do they add a little extra texture and depth to beach photos, but they also spell out “CORONADO” when viewed from above—thank you, Mother Nature and a creative groundskeeper! Nestled between the shoreline and the Hotel Del, these dunes create the perfect mix of intimacy and adventure for a session. Kids love climbing them, the wind swirls just enough to make everything feel a little extra dreamy, and when the sun starts dipping behind the ocean? Pure magic.

Big brother was there too, giving off all the energetic vibes as he adjusted to his new role. Mackenzie, meanwhile, was the star of the show, rocking that squishy baby perfection like a pro. Her tiny fingers, her cute little grin at daddy, the way her parents looked at her like she hung the moon—it’s what family photography dreams are made of. Mackenzie is lucky to have landed in your arms, and I’m lucky to be the one capturing these moments for you.

Need a Family Photographer in Coronado too?

If you’re looking for a Coronado family photographer (or just someone to follow you around and document all the beautiful chaos that is family life), let’s make it happen. Because these moments? They’re the ones you’ll want to hold onto forever. 💕

Lisa G (Elle G) is a San Diego beach photographer based in Pacific Beach, CA. Proudly serving San Diego’s coastal communities: La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Mission Beach, Mission Bay, Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach, Point Loma and Coronado. 858-344-1068. To chat about booking your own portrait session click HERE.