Some maternity photoshoots are full of sunshine and sparkle. Others? Overcast, quiet, and kind of perfect in their own moody way.

Yesterday, I met up with Tom, Chelsea, and their dog Sandy for maternity photos in Coronado sand dunes—the ones that spell out “Coronado” from above (yes, it’s a thing). It’s just north of the Hotel Del, and if you haven’t walked those dunes with a camera in hand… add it to your list. They are part of the family behind Next Level Sailing, the whale watching company in San Diego. (Tom’s dad owns it, and yes, it’s as cool as it sounds. Think whales, ocean views, and the kind of sailing experience that makes you question your landlocked decisions.)

These maternity photos in Coronado were on one of those classic coastal San Diego days—cloudy, soft light, barely a shadow in sight. Not the dramatic golden hour kind of shoot. More like the cozy, quiet lead-up to something big. This maternity session was relaxed, un-staged, and full of the kind of moments that don’t need too much direction. Just two people (three if you count Sandy, which we absolutely do) soaking up one of their last slow beach walks before baby arrives. They spend a lot of time at Coronado Dog Beach with Sandy, who clearly seems to love the place.

Chelsea wore a cozy beige dress that hugged all of the right curves. Then she changed into jeans and a cropped white top, perfectly showing off the baby bump. She looked beautiful without trying to look beautiful—my favorite kind. Tom stayed close, keeping an eye on Sandy between shots and checking in on Chelsea with a quiet, steady presence that says he’s fully in it with her. Sandy, the golden retriever, nailed every frame—with a little help from some well-timed cheese bribes. She sat, she smiled like a champ, and trotted through the sand like she owned the place. Then, just when she thought she was off the clock, we asked Sandy to pose next to Chelsea’s bump—right beside a patch of flowers she was dying to eat. She gave us major side-eye, sighed like a diva, and reluctantly struck the pose anyway. Total pro.

Why This Session Mattered

This wasn’t a shoot full of props and Pinterest poses. No flower crowns, no awkward signs. Just real people in a place they love, at the edge of a huge life change. That’s the kind of session I love as a Coronado maternity photographer—the kind that doesn’t need sparkle to be meaningful. Just a couple, a cloudy beach, and one really good dog.

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Do You Need Maternity Photos in Coronado??

If you’re looking for a San Diego beach photographer who’s more about real moments than stiff posing, let’s talk. Your story deserves to be captured in a way that actually feels like you.

📸 Reach out to book your Coronado maternity session—dogs and clouds welcome. Always.

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.