A young girl with curly hair, wearing a beige lace dress, holding hands with an adult. The girl is smiling and winking, and the adult is holding her hand gently. The scene appears to be outdoors in a green park or forested area.
A woman with long brown hair smiling and hugging a young girl with long dark brown hair, both smiling and looking at the camera against a plain white background.
A pregnant woman wearing a white lace dress standing barefoot on a sandy beach near rocks, smiling at the camera.
A man and woman holding hands and walking on a desert road, with a woman holding a small dog. They are surrounded by desert bushes and mountains in the background, under a clear blue sky.
A young girl in a cream-colored dress holding hands with an adult wearing a brown skirt and black combat boots, standing outdoors on grass with trees in the background.
A family of three walking hand in hand through a field of dry grass on a sunny day, with trees and hills in the background.
Portrait of a smiling young man with short dark hair, wearing a brown plaid coat, a white sweater, and a black wristwatch, against a dark background.
Silhouette of a pregnant woman standing among palm trees at sunset by the ocean.
A couple standing in the ocean water under a pier with large wooden pillars, smiling and holding a bouquet of flowers.
A woman with curly hair holding a toddler girl outdoors during daytime, both smiling, with trees and sunlight in the background.
A smiling woman in a yellow striped dress and heels sitting on a park bench, next to a man in a white shirt and black pants, surrounded by dense red and green autumn leaves.
A couple holding hands and facing the ocean on a beach, with the woman wearing a white off-shoulder dress and the man in a white shirt and black pants.
A woman with black hair and earrings hugs a girl with brown hair and a pink bow, both smiling. Part of a young girl with big eyes is in the frame, and another person with a brown sleeve is nearby. They are in front of a plain white background.
A smiling family of three sitting on rocks at the beach, with a rocky background. The man has a bald head and beard, wearing a white shirt. The woman has long curly hair and is wearing a light-colored sweater. The child is in the middle, wearing a wh
A woman winking and smiling, embracing a young girl who is smiling with her teeth showing, both holding hands in front of a plain white background.
A woman is holding a young girl on a beach under a pier. They are standing in shallow water, with waves and the ocean in the background.
A woman and a boy walking through a path surrounded by tall dry grass during sunset, smiling and enjoying the outdoor moment.
A woman and a girl in black dresses posing together. The woman has light brown, shoulder-length hair and the girl has long, dark brown hair. They are smiling and looking at the camera with a white background.
A woman dressed in a graduation gown and sash holding a decorated graduation cap with flowers, standing inside a building with multiple floors and an open roof.
Two women holding hands and looking at the sunset over the ocean, with silhouettes against the orange sky.
A family of three walking along the beach with ocean waves in the background. The woman is holding a young child, and they are smiling at each other.
A woman with long dark hair smiling and holding a young girl with dark hair in her arms, sitting among tall dry grass and shrubs in a natural outdoor setting with trees in the background.
Close-up of hands forming a heart shape on a pregnant belly, with a woman wearing a lace dress and a woman wearing a bracelet, on a beach.
A smiling woman with long curly hair, a man with dark slicked back hair, and a baby girl with a bow in her hair, all smiling and standing in front of a red barn at sunset.
A woman and a young girl are closely embracing and smiling, with the woman looking down at the girl and the girl smiling with eyes closed, outdoors on a cloudy day.
A woman with long brown hair holding a smiling baby girl with dark, curly hair decorated with pink bows, outdoors in a green park.
A woman with long dark hair and a brown dress sitting on a tree branch, smiling at a young girl with curly brown hair and a white dress, who is sitting on the same tree branch with her finger on her lips, in a lush green outdoor setting.
A woman with long dark hair and earrings holding a young girl in a headband and dress, and a young boy, all smiling on the beach as waves crash behind them.
A woman and a young girl sitting outdoors in a grassy area, smiling and enjoying nature.
A family of three smiling and embracing outdoors, with a blurred tree and background.
A young woman in a white graduation gown and floral cap proudly holding her graduation cords outdoors, against a circular building with multiple windows.
A man sitting on a rock near the beach, looking at a woman in a white lace dress standing by the shoreline and smiling.
Graduation celebration with a young woman in a wheelchair wearing a cap and gown outdoors in front of a modern building, with a blue sash and medal, smiling and posing for the camera.
A family of three walking along the beach at sunset, with a rocky cliff in the background. The parents are holding their child's hands while walking in the shallow water.
A woman with long wavy blonde hair, tattoos on her left arm, wearing a brown satin dress, holding hands with a young girl with long brown hair, wearing a white dress, smiling in front of a plain gray background.
A woman with long, curly hair holding a smiling toddler at the beach with waves and a cloudy sky in the background.
Close-up of a young woman's face partially obscured by dark curly hair, showing her brown eyes, eyebrows, and nose, with her lips slightly parted against a dark background.
A young woman in graduation regalia standing outdoors in front of a circular building, holding a graduation stole and wearing a medal, smiling.
A family portrait of a woman with curly hair, a man with dark hair, and a baby girl in the woman's arms, outdoors during daytime with warm sunlight and trees in the background.
A man is lifting a young girl with curly hair into the air at the beach during daytime, both smiling and enjoying the moment. The background shows a cloudy sky and a distant pier.
A couple holding hands across a granite counter, with one person wearing a wedding ring and a bracelet, and the woman wearing a ring and holding flowers.
A woman with long, wavy blonde hair and a young girl with straight, dark brown hair are smiling and embracing each other against a plain white background.
A family of three standing outdoors by a large tree with hanging branches and yellow leaves in the background. The woman is holding a baby girl and the man is standing next to them, smiling. The woman has curly hair, the man has dark slicked-back hai
A young woman in a black graduation gown and cap standing on the beach with her hand near her head, smiling, with ocean waves and a clear blue sky in the background.
A couple standing close together on a sandy beach under a bridge, sharing an intimate moment. The man is holding a bouquet of white and pink flowers and has his forehead touching the woman's forehead. She is wearing a beige sleeveless dress with a sl
A woman with long dark hair and tattooed arm holding a smiling baby girl in a blue dress up in the air outdoors near a tree.
Close-up of a young woman's face with platinum blonde hair styled in soft waves, natural makeup, and a slight smile, against a plain light background.
A woman and two girls holding hands in the ocean at sunset, with the women holding a young girl and the other girl smiling, all wearing pastel dresses.
A young girl with a flower hair clip holding onto an adult woman's leg, standing between two adults outdoors in a park or garden area. The adults' faces are not visible.
A young couple walking barefoot along the beach at sunset, holding hands and smiling. The man is wearing a white short-sleeve shirt and light-colored pants, and the woman is wearing a white lace dress. They are near rocky cliffs and the ocean.

Your Southern California Photographer

San Diego family & couples photography — candid, natural light, no forced poses.

Most photo shoots feel like photo shoots. Stand here. Smile. Hold it. Hope something comes out.

That's not how I work.

I'm Derriel, a portrait photographer based in San Diego. I specialize in candid, natural light sessions for families and couples — people who want photos that actually look like them. Before you arrive, I've already scouted the location and found where the light falls. During the session, I give direction, not poses. "Walk together and pretend I'm not here" gets me more than "put your hand on her shoulder" ever could.

San Diego makes this easy. The beaches, the parks, the golden afternoon light you can't fake — it's one of the best places in the country to be photographed in, and I know how to use it.

The standard I hold myself to: I once photographed a family of three in San Diego. At the end of the session, their three-year-old held my hand walking between spots. Months later, her mom told me she walks past the framed photos every day.

That's what I'm working toward every time. Photos that end up on your wall — not your camera roll.

The Mini Session

Shorter session, same experience, excellent value

Twenty minutes is enough. Enough to get good light, real laughs, and photos worth hanging on a wall — before anyone loses patience.

Mini sessions are for families with young kids, couples who want something quick, or anyone who already knows their group has about a 20-minute window before things start unraveling. (That includes dads. No judgment.)

Sessions are held at pre-scheduled San Diego locations — same natural light approach, same experience as a full session, just compressed. Dates and locations are listed below.

Show up: Arrive 10 minutes early. Your 20 minutes starts at your scheduled time.

What you get: 10+ edited, full-resolution photos in a private online gallery.

Turnaround: Gallery delivered within 2 weeks.

A woman holding a young girl in her arms on a beach under a pier, with waves and sandy shore in the background.

Scripps Memorial Pier

April 18th

$200

Dramatic ocean views, picturesque sunsets, striking pier architecture

Book Now
A woman with curly hair smiling and holding a young girl with a bow in her hair outdoors.

Los Penasquitos Ranch House

April 25th

$200

Tranquil setting, red barn, open fields

Book Now

The Full Sessions

Your location. Your timeline.

Full sessions are built around you. You pick the location, you pick the time. If you already have a spot in mind, bring it. If you don't, I'll suggest a few worth the drive.

Before you arrive, I've already pre-scouted the location — so I know where the light falls and what the frame looks like before anyone shows up. During the session, I give direction, not poses. "Walk together and pretend I'm not here" gets more than "stand here and smile" every time. I'll show you the frame on the back of the camera so you can see what we're building.

The result: photos that look like you, taken somewhere that means something — not a generic backdrop.

Available year-round for families, couples, and individuals.

A young girl holding hands with two adults, likely her parents, in an outdoor woodland setting.

Local Session

Approximately 60-minute session at any location within San Diego County.

Includes 30+ edited, full-resolution photos in a private online gallery.

A couple and a dog walking hand in hand down a desert road with mountains in the background under a clear sky.

Travel Session

Approximately 60-minute session at any location outside San Diego County. I'll go wherever the shoot calls for — travel costs are covered by you and confirmed before we book.

Includes 30+ edited, full-resolution photos in a private online gallery.

Book Consultation

The Experience

SELECT: Pick a date and time that works for you and lock it in with a deposit.

PREP: Before your session, we'll talk through locations. I'll suggest a few based on your style and the light — or bring a spot you already have in mind. This is also when I answer any questions so you show up relaxed, not guessing.

SESSION: The shoot itself. I give direction, not poses, and I'll show you the frame on the back of the camera in real time. Most people are surprised by what they look like when they stop thinking about it.

DAY AFTER: One edited teaser photo lands in your inbox — so you're not waiting two weeks in the dark.

GALLERY: Your photos go into a private online gallery where you pick the ones you love. Prints available on request.

DELIVERY: Full gallery within 2 weeks.

Close-up of a smiling man with short, dark, and slightly gray hair, wearing sunglasses and a black shirt, inside a car.

Your Photographer

I'm Derriel — a San Diego portrait photographer who spends the rest of the week as a Physical Therapist.

That second job is more relevant than it sounds. I put people at ease for a living. I explain what's about to happen before it happens, I read body language, and I know what it looks like when someone's tense versus when they've finally relaxed. That skill set shows up in every session — and it's why a three-year-old once held my hand walking between locations.

Testimonials

  • A diverse family walking barefoot on the beach, smiling, with two children, one being held. The family is dressed casually, and the ocean waves are in the background.

    Growing up I always envied the families that had professional photos taken throughout the years. My husband and I are a bit out of the ordinary and never had a wedding so the only professional photos I have live in a school yearbook. That is until I met Derriel. The first year we took pictures my daughter was a year and a half and had a bit of that stranger danger when meeting anyone new. But Derriel never lost his cool. He was wonderful with her. He was patient, warm, funny, flexible. The fact that he somehow got a smile out of her and miraculously got photos of just my husband and me still shocks me. It was like hanging out with a friend working with Derriel for the first time. He walked and talked with us and captured us in completely natural moments. The following year, I swear my daughter remembered him. She took to him immediately and was a ham in front of the camera. A complete 180 from the last year. A testament to his demeanor and presence. We will continue to work with him year over year and have his framed photos hanging all throughout our home. He has captured some of our favorite family moments and I can’t believe we get to be that family with the professional photos.

    -Washington Family

  • A family of four walking hand in hand along the shoreline at the beach, with a cloudy sky and cliffs in the background.

    Working with Derriel was the easiest thing ever! He was kind, patient and professional. Our kids were all over the place and somehow he managed to capture the most beautiful photos. Would highly recommend booking him for any family photos

    -McClean Family

  • "Derriel is our first choice when it comes to capturing our sweet family moments since having our little girl. He has an impeccable eye and has the ability to keep a shoot relaxed and comfortable. He is great with kids - our daughter loves Uncle D!"

    -Sum Family

  • A couple standing together on a beach under a pier, holding a bouquet of flowers and smiling at the camera.

    Derriel has been our go-to photographer for years, capturing everything from casual moments to our proposal and engagement. He’s incredibly easy to work with, offering valuable tips for posing and making us feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. He listens attentively to our requests and provides excellent recommendations if you have a specific location in mind for your shoot. His turnaround time for photos is quick, and his editing skills are top-notch. We highly recommend him for any photography needs!

    -The Yamasaki Family

  • A happy family of four outdoors, with the father kneeling on the grass, holding a young boy in a blue shirt, while the mother and another young boy are sitting on his back, all smiling at the camera, surrounded by trees and greenery.

    Derriel is so easy to work with. If you have kids that you want photographed, he is super patient and he knows how to get the kids engaged! He’s amazing at capturing candid photos. I love that you get the photos back quickly too! I have used Derriel for many family photo shoots and I highly recommend him because he knows how to capture all the special moments

    -The Lujan Family

  • A couple holding hands and walking on a road in a desert landscape with rocky hills in the background, accompanied by a woman wearing a pink dress, a wide-brimmed hat, and a small dog, all smiling.

    Derriel is an amazing photographer. He captures the perfect moment every time. Derriel genuinely cares about how your photos turn out and doesn't stop until he knows he has the perfect shots. He has a natural eye when capturing the perfect shot and makes great recommendations on location and time. He uses his surroundings to his advantage and it creates great photos. He’s taken photos of my family and I for several years now. I would highly suggest him to anyone looking for photographer!

    -The Sanchez Family