Q&A with Amy Gray Photography // San Diego

Whenever I move to a new city I always Google local photographers for inspiration. Amy Gray is one of my top favorite photographers in San Diego and I was so excited to find out she had availability to photograph my whole family when they came to visit earlier this month. I love how magical all her beach photos on Coronado Island are. It was such a delight to have Amy capture our extended family photos and I loved getting to know her a little bit while we strolled along the beach.

If you are ever looking for a photographer in San Diego I highly recommend Amy Gray Photography. Here are some of my favorite photos from the session and a fun Q&A with Amy!

1. When did you start getting interested in photography? I have always been my family "picture-taker," and when my sister got her first DSLR when our kids were small, I decided I wanted one too. She and I signed up for an adult school photography class, and the rest is history!

2. What is your favorite part about being a photographer? I love that every day is different. I enjoy meeting new families, and my favorite location, the beach, has a bunch of variables. I never know exactly what I'll find there with the combination of clouds, sun, tides, wind, and so forth. It's a fun challenge to think on my feet and figure out the best solutions for the combination of location and human factors—the hand I'm dealt that day.

3. What would you recommend every person should have/hire a photographer for? I think yearly family portraits are a MUST for anyone with kids under 10. Extended family portraits are super important, too, especially when there are younger families involved. Senior photos and engagement and wedding portraits need to happen. In addition, I would say a photo session with a new pet is important to prioritize. Our family just got our first puppy, and I'm so glad we captured Marley when he was just three months old. He has grown so much since then, already!

4. Quickly describe a common photo session with you: My go-to location is at the Hotel del Coronado, and most of my clients are vacationing families from out of state. We get started in a shady spot on the beach and then, as the sun goes down, we head down to the shore and dip our toes in. Cold, wet feet make almost everyone smile.

5. Photo advice for someone wanting to take a good photograph?? Aside from smiles, light is the most important thing! Light is more important than the background, more important than the posing, more important than what the subject is wearing. Try to put your subject in even light without harsh shadows or bright spots. For a professional look, make sure the background is in the same pretty, even light.

6. Just for fun, what is your favorite quote? "You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." -Aristotle