Top 5 List of the Best San Diego locations for Maternity Photos
How lucky are we living in such a beautiful city like San Diego? Where the weather is almost always beautiful, the sunsets are epic and we have both beaches and mountains within hour’s drive or less of each other. With so many gorgeous locations it can sometimes be hard to pick up one for your maternity photos. So I wanted to share with you my top 5 Best San Diego locations for Maternity Photos that are favorites among my moms-to-be for their pregnancy portraits.
These locations have been thoroughly tested and enjoyed by not only me but families and moms-to-be in San Diego for years. These are locations that I always send as recommendations, not because it’s just easy, but because I know how to work them to create those stunning maternity photos you’ve been dreaming of.
Best time for maternity pictures at the best San Diego Locations for Maternity Photos.
These locations are popular among photographers, locals, and visitors alike. Especially during sunset. Sometimes it might be even better to do a sunrise session so these locations are less busy. However, sunset time is definitely the more popular time at these San Diego locations for maternity photos. We will plan around it, and with my experience, your images will look like we were the only ones there.
As a San Diego Luxury Maternity Photographer, I really wanted to share this list with you. Keep reading below to find the spot that speaks most to you. And then when you’re ready to start planning your maternity photos reach out and I’ll gladly contact you to get the ball rolling.
5 Best San Diego Locations for Maternity Photos
#1 Windansea Beach, La Jolla
I feel like every photographer in San Diego have their favorite spots to go shoot at. But it always varies from year to year as well. Last year for example, my favorite spots for maternity photos was at Sunset Cliffs (see below), but now my new favorite spot to go to is a section of beach on Windansea Beach between the more popular spot and the La Jolla Tide Pools. It provides the perfect mixture of beach and cliff backgrounds.
While it can get busy, especially during the epic sunsets we have here in San Diego, there are enough large areas to shoot at that you can still get epic sunset maternity pictures where it looks like the beach is completely empty. Trick of the eye as I call it, or just great photo composition and some Photoshop magic.
5 Best San Diego Locations for Maternity Photos
#2 Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach
As I mentioned before, Sunset Cliffs were my go-to place in 2020 and 2021 for both maternity pictures and family photos. Sunset Cliffs sit at the end of Ocean Beach and provide a long stretch of gorgeous cliffside overlooking the ocean. Regardless of where you end up parking, you will have spectacular views over the water which provides an awe-inspiring backdrop for the most iconic San Diego Maternity Pictures you could’ve ever asked for.
My clients love the breeze coming off the ocean, and the many different options this area provides for photos. Did you know that if you walk further along the walkways, there is a beautiful little bridge, and a neat little area to step out on surrounded by a gorgeous tree. The possibilities are endless at Sunset Cliffs for maternity photos.
5 Best San Diego Locations for Maternity Photos
#3 Mission Trails Regional Park
I’m not going to lie, I’m fairly biased toward Mission Trails Regional Park for any type of photoshoot. Be it maternity pictures, family photos, or baby portraits. Why? Well for one, Mission Trails is GORGEOUS and offers so many different options for spots to shoot at. But also, it’s only 5 minutes from my house so not only is it convenient but I go explore it all the time and know all the little knocks and crannies.
Mission Trails with its vast landscape is perfect if you’re looking for a spot in San Diego for some romantic, whispy, bohemian-inspired maternity photos. If you love nature, romance, open landscapes, and mountains, Mission Trails would be the perfect backdrop for your pictures. In the Spring it is filled with wildflowers everywhere just makes you appreciate living in San Diego even so much more.
At the same time, with a beautiful red iron bridge, and open paths it also provides structure and leading lines that make for stunning portraits. Borrow one (or more) of the gorgeous maternity gowns I have at the studio, and watch your maternity dreams come true during your session.
On the opposite side of the park, we also have the “Oak Grove” which is less busy if you don’t want a lot of people walking around you. It’s a beautiful row of trees that makes it flexible to shoot at any time of the day.
5 Best San Diego Locations for Maternity Photos
#4 Balboa Park
Balboa Park is probably one of the most famous spots, most iconic San Diego Spots that everyone who visits this beautiful city of ours wants to go visit. But not only do visitor loves this spot, San Diego peeps love exploring this stunning park as well. And it’s a VERY POPULAR spot for photoshoots. Any kind of photoshoot. I don’t think I’ve ever been to Balboa Park without seeing at least one or two sessions, be it maternity, family, or couples, and sometimes even wedding portraits. But what’s so lovely about this area is that it is big enough for everyone to enjoy.
Whether nature calls you to the Desert Garden or Rose Garden with its beautiful floral gardens. Or you’re looking to class it up by using the unique and famous architecture around the inner part of the Park; Balboa Park is such a statement place when it comes to pregnancy photography.
5 Best San Diego Locations for Maternity Photos
#5 Scripps Pier
Another iconic spot in San Diego is Scripps Pier in La Jolla. Not is it a wonderful beach but the pier structure that can be seen from an airplane is one of the most popular places to photograph. In the last summer and fall months when our sunsets are beyond incredible, you’ll see photographer after photographer lined up along the pier to capture the sun setting and perfectly lining up at the end of it, as it sets into the ocean.
What I love the most about Scripps Pier for maternity and family photos, is not the pier itself, although it makes for a pretty impactful photo. It’s that there is a long, wide stretch of sand, but also cliff sides at the far end that look stunning as a backdrop. I love the variety I can get from shooting at this location, and I love that no matter how busy it gets, there are always angles and directions to shoot to still make it seem like we’re the only ones present at that particular moment in time.
BONUS ROUND – 5 Best San Diego Locations for Maternity Photos
Studio Freyja Photography Studio in La Mesa, San Diego
Ok, you can’t be surprised that my BONUS ROUND for top locations in San Diego for maternity photos is, of course, my Portrait Studio in La Mesa. As much as I love an outdoor maternity photoshoot, pregnancy pictures at the studio are just so special. It’s a completely different feel, more editorial, yet personal, minimalistic, and timeless, everything I strive for in my work.
What’s even more fun is, that you’re able to wear a few more different outfit options, and raid our maternity closet as much as you want, as it’s always easier to change outfits at the studio than outdoors. With different colored backdrops, we’re able to create drama, charm, and style. We can do multiple dresses, and can even get creative with fabrics and semi-nude maternity portraits. Creativity knows no bounds.
Learn More About Your Maternity Pictures
Studio Freyja is a professional photography studio located in La Mesa offering maternity, family, and newborn photos in the greater San Diego area. If you’ve enjoyed this list of top locations in San Diego for your Maternity Photos and would like to learn more about the Studio Freyja experience and how you can get these dreamy beautiful pictures of your own pregnancy, click the button below to learn more.