Encinitas, with its charming streets, stunning beaches, and golden sunsets, is a photographer’s dream. For those seeking to preserve life’s most beautiful moments amidst this idyllic coastal backdrop, Alison Hatch Photo (little ol’ me) offers a personalized and artful approach to photography. Based in the heart of Encinitas, I combine my passion for storytelling with a signature creative style to deliver images that are as unique as the people in them.

As a photographer, I travel a lot. Sessions in people’s homes or at beautiful locations like Headlands Beach, Balboa Park, Montage Beach Laguna, or Los Penasquitos Canyon Park sometimes require me to travel a ways from home. I am happy to travel and include certain mileage into my package pricing. Here I will lay out the specifics of travel so you can see if the location you’d like for your family photos is a covered cost, or if a small extra fee will be added.

There’s something magical about Oceanside, California. Its laid-back charm, wide sandy beaches, and iconic pier make it a standout destination for families looking to relax and reconnect. Whether you're visiting for the first time or making it a yearly tradition, Oceanside offers something for everyone—and it’s also an incredible place to document your memories with professional photography.

There’s something uniquely magical about this stage of life: the endless energy, the mood swings, the giggles that come from nowhere, and the fierce declarations of independence (even if they’re still figuring out how to zip their own jacket). Toddlers are a whirlwind of personality, and capturing that on camera can feel equal parts exciting and intimidating.

One of the most common questions I get asked before a newborn session is: What should we wear? And honestly, I love that you’re thinking about it because your photos should reflect you at this sweet, fleeting moment in your family’s story. But here’s the thing: You don’t need to overthink it. Let’s talk about what works and why.

10 years…

was how long doctors estimated it would take my kidneys to fail.

I was 20 at the time.

It took 9.