Senior portraits on the beach? He wasn’t thrilled. But Mom? Over the moon. Will showed up like a lot of high school seniors do—with a surfboard under one arm and a “do I really have to do this?” look on his face. He wasn’t exactly jumping for joy about getting his senior photos taken. In fact, let’s call it what it was: Mom made him do it. (And honestly? Moms always know best.)

But cut to the final gallery? The sun, the waves, the wind, the hair—chef’s kiss. Mom was thrilled. That’s the thing about senior portraits on the beach: when we do them right (and we will), even the most reluctant teen walks away with photos that feel effortless, natural, and undeniably them.

As a San Diego senior portrait photographer who’s been doing this for years, I get it—not everyone is dying to be in front of the camera. Some kids love it. Others, not so much. But here’s my promise: I will always, always do everything in my power to make sure your child is seen the way you see them. Not just posed and polished, but glowing with that light you’ve watched flicker and grow since they were little. The spark, the humor, the quiet confidence, the “can we wrap this up?” grin—I’m here for all of it. Even if we’re dragging them to the sand with a bribe and a smoothie.

Will’s a surfer (aka the definition of cool without trying), so naturally, we chose one of the most iconic surf spots on the Southern California coast for his shoot. It’s a place that’s basically my second home—sometimes for sessions, sometimes just to soak up the golden hour magic and remind myself how lucky we are to live here. From rugged cliffs to soft sand and crashing waves, it’s a dream location for senior beach photos in San Diego.

And yes, if your teen surfs, skates, plays an instrument, or just wants to keep it chill in their favorite hoodie—we’ll make it work. These aren’t cookie-cutter senior portraits. This is about celebrating who they are, right now. Because this moment? It’s big. It’s bittersweet. And it deserves more than a quick iPhone snap before graduation.