Your beautiful life as art.
San Marcos Photographer
Beauty is everywhere. (I saw that eye roll.) It’s true! There is beauty in a sleepy newborn and a twirling preschooler. In the strand of hair out of place and a smudge of dirt on your son’s cheek. Golden sun dripping through the trees. Pink, blue, and yellow brush strokes of light. Sun flare, soupy film, and flowers… oh, the flowers! But the most beautiful of all are the unnoticed interactions that silently speak “I love you.”
Your family is loud and messy and perfectly imperfect. Your family is beautiful just the way they are now and this San Marcos Photographer want to show you that through my lens. Through heirloom fine art images for you to look at year after year.
Katie B.
“If you are looking for a thorough, patient, and incredibly talented photographer, look no further. Alison has an organic, down to earth approach and is all about capturing real life moments in her images that you will love for years to come.”
Gaby R.
“We are obsessed with our photos from Alison! They came out so good. She was so easy to work with and made taking family photos a smooth and non-awkward process! I highly recommend her.”
Photo Philosophies
Connection
Each new thread of love for your children, spouse, and yourself creates a beautiful life filled with purpose and joy—connections worthy of photographing.
You are art
Family may not seem like the perfect subject for an art piece, but I promise you it is. The quiet gestures, the laughter, the way love lingers in a touch—all of it deserve
Magic in the imperfect
I don’t chase perfection—I chase truth. The way your child’s hand rests in yours, the way your partner looks at you when you’re not looking, the fleeting moments of tenderness and deep presence. Real life is the masterpiece.
San Marcos Client Photo Galleries
6 Steps To New San Marcos Photos In Your Hands
1. Personal WelcomeWhen you reach out, I respond in kind—with a personal video message. A small introduction, a glimpse into what it means to create together.
2. Booking & IntentionsTo begin, a $200 session fee reserves your date. You’ll receive a Welcome Guide and a short survey—an opportunity to share what matters most to you.
3. Preparing TogetherIn the weeks leading up to your session, we’ll talk through location, wardrobe, and any thoughts on your mind. Every detail considered, so you feel present when the time comes.
6. Something TangiblePhotographs are meant to be held. Whether you choose prints, albums, or framed pieces for your walls, I’ll help you bring them into your home in a way that feels right.
4. The SessionWe meet. We create. Time slows. Whether it’s an afternoon or a fleeting moment, what we capture will hold weight beyond the day itself.
5. The RevealThree weeks later, your images arrive in a slideshow. Watch it when the house is quiet, when you can sit with what was made.
Investment
Packages start at $950. Each package is priced according to the amount of downloadable images, photography time, and travel to outdoor or in home locations. On average clients spend $1800 with downloadable images and print products. With 8 years of experience and many, many families photographed you can be assured that I can deliver not only beautiful images but an enjoyable experience from start to finish.
Tips for a Successful San Marcos Photography Session
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![San Marcos photography of a woman in yellow and blue floral dress and man in black shirt with a close up of them holding hands laughing.]()
How Far Do You Travel For Sessions?
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![Little boy with black overalls, no shirt, and dirty smudges on his cheek San Marcos Photography]()
Why Summer Is The Best Time For Family Photos
FAQs
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I love bright golden light so I like to shoot when the sun is going down, so an hour and a half before sunset. The sun doesn’t set at the same time every day, so when you book your session please keep that in mind. When we plan your session I will give you the exact time the sun sets and when to meet depending on the location you choose.
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No worries, my friend. I can send you the best locations for your date, what they look like, and all the other info you’ll need to choose the perfect location for your family’s photos.
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First off, kids are kids and I expect them to be just that. Every child is different. Some are wild and energetic and some are shy and reluctant. I am a mom of three boys (ages 23, 18, and 12). I’ve learned through my own children and my clients, how to interact with kids. I come armed with games, tips for connecting, and even rewards. Please don’t worry about your child’s behavior at the session. Let me take all of that stress on for you.
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San Marcos photography sessions are fun and relaxed. I use a technique that like to call pose and play. I put you in yummy ligh in a pose and then we play a game. This method helps create memories with your family and evoke true emotion in your images. Most families walk away from a session saying how much fun they had and how easy it was to be in front of the camera.
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Honestly, most of my clients say this so don’t feel alone in the awkward category. At your photo session, I’ll be goofy, ask questions, have you play games, and do other tricks I have up my sleeve to help you forget about the camera and feel comfortable. I also will pose you in ways that will make you look natural and just freaking amazing.
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Yes, my dear, I do. I get it. You want to look good and feel good in what you choose to wear for your family’s pictures. I am here to help give you resources like stores to shop from, Pinterest idea boards, and colors that work best for your location, and even will help curate your exact outfit needs via text. I want having your pictures taken by me to be as stress-free as possible, so don’t worry, I’ve got ya.
I’m Here to Help
If you have more questions or worries I am here to help alleviate each and every one. One of my goals with each client session is to take out the stress of getting pictures taken. The process should be enjoyable not a chore. Taking part in preserving the memory of your family is an absolute honor that I don’t take lightly. I want the photo session experience to be a memory in itself because of the connection you felt to your loved ones. I want to embrace the chaos with you and turn it into something tangible and beautiful. I want you to look at these photos 20 years from now and feel the love you have for your family, not just see a pretty picture. Contact me below and have a family session outdoors or in-home that is easy peasy from the first email to album delivery.
Alison Hatch is an award-winning, published photographer in North County, San Diego, and Southern Orange County. She offers an artistic, romantic, feminine celebrated photo experience for clients who want to document the most important connections in their lives—those to self, spouse, and child.
Alison serves North County San Diego Beach Cities (Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad, Encinitas, San Marcos, Escondido, Solana Beach, Del Mar), San Diego proper, & Southern Orange County (San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano).