Encinitas Family Photographer | Alison Hatch Photo
Picture this: the golden light of a late afternoon spilling over the rolling waves of Encinitas, California. The salty air carries a hint of adventure, and the laughter of a family rings out across the sandy shoreline. It's in moments like these, full of spontaneity and imperfection, that the true magic of family comes to life.
When I plan family photo sessions, I don’t start with poses or strict timelines. Instead, I start with a story—yours. I ask questions: What does a perfect Saturday look like for your family? How do you want to remember this season of life? For this sweet little family, their story unfolded in a field of tall grass, where curiosity and joy collided in celebration of their son’s upcoming birthday.
This Encinitas photographer (little ‘ol me) use analog film for each session with a sense of purpose but also a sense of freedom. Film slows down the photoshoot. It forces both me as the photographer and you as the client to let go of the need for perfection and instead embrace what unfolds naturally. I like to call this “getting in the pocket” the place of presence where creative magic happens and the most emotion filled, artful photos are the result.
During this particular Encinitas, California session, little Jonas played in a birthday crown that his grandmother had sewn by hand, his curls bouncing as he explored in the grass. His parents were so tender with him that I was melting from it all. They also had the most beautiful bond with each other, making my job to get those love-soaked photos easy peasy. Moments like this are fleeting ut that's the beauty of photography: the ability to freeze time, to make memories tangible.
At the heart of what I do as an Encinitas photographer is a simple truth: family is messy, complicated, and endlessly beautiful. My goal isn’t just to capture smiles or coordinated outfits—it’s to bottle up the laughter, the quiet moments of connection, and even the chaos that makes your family uniquely yours.
By the end of each session, my hope is that you leave not just with images but with an experience. An afternoon spent hugging, laughing, and being fully present. My work as an Encinitas family photographer is for families who see beauty in their shared journey and who want to celebrate it in a way that feels authentic and timeless.
When you hang these images on your walls, I want you to see more than just a picture. I want you to feel the love and connection that makes your family yours. Because these aren’t just photographs—they’re heirlooms, pieces of art that will carry your story for generations to come.
So, whether we’re chasing sunlight through the hills or splashing in the ocean waves, every family session in Encinitas becomes a celebration of what matters most: the imperfect, unrepeatable magic of togetherness.
Hi, I’m Alison
an analog film photographer, educator, podcast host, and artist. I offer my Albuquerque and San Diego clients a stress-free and memorable experience of getting photos taken. I have been featured in Shoot It With Film, 35 mm, Heartful Magazine, and published in the Front Steps Project Book. I live inNorth County San Diego, CA with my husband, three boys, and two Goldendoodles.
