Amy Gray Photography

09/09/2026

Some family photo sessions are memorable because of the beautiful sunset.

And some are memorable because someone gets stung by a stingray three hours beforehand. 😅

Mark brought his three boys to San Diego for their first family photos in years and their first since he became a single dad. He wanted time with each of them, some beautiful beach photos, and a way to mark this season before it changes again.

Then eleven-year-old Pierce met a stingray.

He hobbled through our session with the sweetest attitude, we rearranged a few poses, got creative, and somehow the whole thing became part of the memory instead of something that ruined it.

One of Mark’s favorite photos is Pierce riding on his back: hurting, trying hard, and still smiling.

09/02/2026

Matt reached out to book a family session during their San Diego trip, and when I asked what inspired it, he gave me an answer every parent understands... families keep growing and changing, but photos hold onto each season. He wanted genuine smiles and a little glimpse of who they are right now. This crew made that so easy. They stayed on Coronado, the kids did SeaWorld resident camp, and the adults actually got to relax... a rare combo for a family vacation. So glad I got to meet you all, Matt! Hope to see you again next time you're in San Diego. ☀️

08/24/2026

☔️ Call time was 6:15am, and it rained on me the entire way over the Coronado Bridge. Then the sky did this. One of these girls got engaged a few days later, so it turned out we were celebrating something she didn't know about yet.

Susie's family has been coming to the Hotel Del for years, and this trip they wanted photos on the beach in front of it.

08/21/2026

⛱️ Teri grew up in Southern California and has been bringing her kids to this coastline for decades. It had been a few years since their last family photos, and with two of the three starting to venture off in their own directions, she decided this was the year to get everyone on the beach together. Read more here>>

Teri grew up in Southern California and has been bringing her kids to this coastline for decades.

08/20/2026

🚨 When three members of your family are moving to Thailand, it's a family portrait emergency! We met at South Ponto in Encinitas during the family vacation scheduled just before their departure.

My friend and second-shooter Everin came along in case things were too bright and we needed a reflector for shade. It turned out there were clouds, we left the reflector in the car, and she ended up shooting the whole time. We had a ton of great images!

Fifteen people, three generations, and one narrow window to get everyone on the same beach. We met at South Ponto in Encinitas during a family vacation scheduled just before three members of the family moved to Thailand.

08/19/2026

📆 Trisha had been meaning to book family photos for four years, but life kept happening — and every year their photos ended up "in the dead grasses or springtime grass."

🏖️ Two weeks before their San Diego trip, she decided this was finally the year for the beach. The family met me at Crystal Pier, and beach photos happened! Read her description of the session and see some favorites on the blog >>

Trisha had been meaning to book family photos for four years, but life kept happening — and every year their photos ended up "in the dead grasses or springtime grass."

08/17/2026

The Nielsens have been summering in Coronado for 19 years . . . same beach bungalow, every June and July . . . and I've photographed them several times over the years. This summer, Jeff, Jenny, Juliette (20), and Josh (16) went red, white, and blue for America's 250th. Read Jenny's interview here >>

The Nielsens have been summering in Coronado for 19 years — same beach bungalow, every June and July — and I've photographed them several times over the years.