An award-winning newborn photography San Diego studio specializing in fine art newborn photography. Explore the newborn, maternity, and family galleries below to find inspiration for your session!
You have come to the right place! If you've just welcomed a tiny new love into your life—congratulations! This is one of the most incredible moments you'll ever experience, and I'm so honored to help you capture it.
I'm Svetlana, a professional San Diego maternity and newborn photographer, and I know how quickly these precious first days fly by. Those tiny fingers, sleepy smiles, and the way your baby fits so perfectly in your arms—it’s pure magic. My goal is to preserve these fleeting moments so you can cherish them forever. I can’t wait to welcome you into my cozy studio and create timeless, heartwarming portraits that celebrate your growing family!
Bringing a new life into the world is one of the most magical experiences, and I am honored to help families capture this incredible chapter. As an award-winning, internationally recognized fine art photographer, I specialize in maternity, newborn, and family photography and I love all things newborn! My work is known for its dreamy, soft editing style, elegant posing techniques, and exquisite use of light and color harmony. Each session is thoughtfully designed to reflect the deep love and connection between you and your little one.
I pour my heart into every session, ensuring that every tiny detail—the way their tiny fingers instinctively grasp yours, the soft rise and fall of their breath as they sleep, and the gentle flutter of their lashes against their rosy cheeks—forever captured in a way that preserves the magic of these first precious days. These are the moments that take your breath away, and I am here to make sure they last forever.
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Every session with me is an experience—one filled with warmth, laughter, and maybe even a well-earned nap. My cozy, fully equipped studio is a haven where parents can unwind while I safely and artfully pose their little ones. I know that new parents are running on fumes, fueled by coffee and love, so I’ve made sure the studio is a place where you can truly relax.
The comfy couch? Perfect for catching up on some much-needed rest. The soothing music and gentle white noise? Designed to lull both babies—and often their exhausted dads—into a peaceful slumber. In fact, my favorite part of every session is watching dads fall asleep before their newborn baby does! And without fail, they always joke afterward that the nap was the best part of the whole experience. Hey, as a San Diego baby photographer, I get it—parenting is hard work, and I’m here to make at least this part of it easy, enjoyable, and completely stress-free.
Although primarily self-taught, I have trained with some of the world’s best newborn photographers to refine my skills and ensure that I provide an unparalleled experience for my little clients. Over the past 15+ years, I have meticulously perfected my craft by photographing hundreds of newborns, allowing me to develop a distinctive style that blends artistry with warmth and care for my san diego baby photography style.
My workflow is efficient, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable session for both baby and parents. Working alongside my dedicated assistant, we create a calm and nurturing environment, even for the fussiest of newborns. Many of our clients lovingly refer to us as "baby whisperers," often expressing how magical it is to watch us gently pose their little ones and transform those tender moments into breathtaking works of art.
I absolutely love designing custom newborn sessions! It’s such a joy to bring creative ideas to life and craft the perfect experience for each San Diego family. Every detail is carefully planned to reflect your style and preferences. One of the first things I ask my clients is, "What color is your nursery?" With an extensive collection of backdrops in my newborn photography San Diego studio, I can seamlessly match your home’s aesthetic.
I provide all the props, outfits, and accessories, ensuring a beautifully styled session customized just for you. From luxuriously soft wraps to enchanting, vintage-inspired setups, I thoughtfully craft each detail—so you can arrive, relax, and enjoy every magical moment with your baby.
I specialize in San Diego newborn photography baby and maternity photography and understand that pregnancy is the most magical moment in a woman's life because you are developing a new human being!
Your body is beautiful and powerful. It created a new life inside of you and feeling the movement of your baby is the best feeling in the world. A pregnancy photography san diego shoot allows you to look back and remember this special moment with
your family for the rest of your life. As a San Diego maternity photographer I love capturing the joy of anticipating the arrival of your newborn baby, as well as the gorgeous glow that all expectant mothers radiate.
Let’s celebrate that special moment in your life with gorgeous san diego maternity photography that will bring that memory alive for you for years to come. I want you to feel comfortable and beautiful during your maternity session which will result
in stunning maternity portraits that you will be proud to share with your friends and family. I encourage you to bring your spouse and older kids to the maternity photoshoot for some fun and memorable maternity pictures San Diego.
Pregnancy Photographers San Diego
To create breathtaking pregnancy photos San Diego photographers usually scout a location before the photoshoot. I think it’s a very important step to make sure we get the best lighting, scenery, and overall atmosphere to perfectly complement the beauty
and emotion of this special moment. I usually check a few locations whether you are looking for a beach or park for your san diego pregnancy photography session and confirm the meeting spot with you the day before your San Diego pregnancy photography
session.
As a San Diego newborn photographer, I feel so lucky to call this place home. We are spoiled with warm weather and can do newborn outdoor photo sessions almost year-round. I just love our beautiful San Diego outdoors with endless background options.
As you might already know, newborns settle best when they're very warm. This means that if you decide to go with an outdoor newborn photography session, your newborn will be wrapped or dressed in a warm stylized outfit unless it's hot outside, then
we can squeeze in some cute naked baby pictures. A heater and a pop-tent are used to keep the baby warm and cozy and protected from direct sunlight. Outdoor newborn photography in San Diego is always dependent on the weather and what’s blooming in
the area. As a result, each session is unique due to the location, time of day, and preferred style. Outdoor sessions tend to be more vibrant, and colorful and feature natural elements, greenery, and flowers. If you prefer neutral colors such as white,
cream, and gray, you would need to go with a studio session where setups are designed to match your nursery and home décor. If you can not decide which session is best for you and want to have the best of both worlds, you can go with a combo package,
that comes with a 1.5 hour studio session and a 1.5 hour outdoor session. I tend to do both sessions on the same day, with the studio newborn session scheduled in the morning and an outdoor session in the afternoon, about 2 hours before sunset for
the most beautiful golden hour lighting.
If you're considering booking a newborn session in San Diego but aren’t sure whether to choose an indoor or outdoor setting, I offer both options to suit your vision. My studio is fully equipped with a vast collection of carefully selected props, including charming baskets, swings, tiny beds, and delicate hammocks. I’ve also curated a beautiful selection of handmade newborn outfits, cozy hats, and elegant headbands—many of which I design and create myself, blending my background in engineering and fashion design to craft truly one-of-a-kind portraits.
My goal is to make your infant photography San Diego session a stress-free, enjoyable experience. Parents often tell me how magical it is to watch as I gently and safely pose their little ones, using my many baby-soothing techniques to keep them calm and comfortable. In my studio, you’ll find a cozy sitting area where you can relax, feed your baby, or even take a much-needed nap while my assistant and I work our magic creating your San Diego newborn photos.
A typical newborn session lasts about three hours, allowing plenty of time for posing, feeding, diaper changes, and soothing. Sessions that include siblings, pets, or multiple babies may take a bit longer, and additional time can always be arranged if needed. I also encourage bringing grandparents whenever possible—capturing three or even four generations in a single portrait creates priceless heirlooms that will be treasured for a lifetime.
As a devoted animal lover (and proud bird mom!), I know that pets aren’t just pets—they’re family. They were your first baby, your adventure buddy, the unconditional love when you needed it mo. And now, they’ve just been promoted to big brother or sister! No pressure, of course, but let’s be honest—they’ll make the best babysitters ever. :)
That first meeting between your newborn and their furry sibling is pure magic—gentle sniffs, curious paws, maybe even a protective little nuzzle. It’s the start of a lifelong friendship, and I’d be honored to capture every heart-melting moment.
I’ve photographed dogs of all sizes and personalities—big, small, bouncy, bashful, and everything in between—and I adore them all. My pet-friendly newborn photographer San Diego studio is always open to well-mannered pups who want to be part of this special chapter. So, if your fur baby is ready to be the star of the show, let’s make it happen!
Take a look at my newborn photos with dogs portfolio, and you’ll see—every tail wag, every nose boop, every loving glance tells a story. Let’s capture the beginning of yours.
Watching my clients’ families grow is one of the greatest joys of my work. It’s the highest compliment when families choose me as their newborn photographers San Diego specialist and return to my studio with their second or third baby, trusting me to capture yet another precious milestone.
Family portraits are the heart of my newborn sessions. I always encourage moms to step in front of the camera with their fresh, tiny miracle—even when they don’t feel their absolute best after giving birth. And you know what? They always thank me later. Because when they see those breathtaking images—the love in their eyes, the tiny fingers curled around theirs—they realize just how beautiful this moment truly is.
Some poses will come naturally, while others might need a little guidance, and that’s where I come in. I’ll ensure you’re in the most flattering position, bathed in the best light, so you not only look amazing but feel comfortable and confident. Because looking good in photographs isn’t just about angles—it’s about feeling at ease and embracing the love that surrounds you.
As one of the top San Diego newborn photographers, I collaborate with some of the most talented makeup artists and hairstylists in the area for your newborn session San Diego. Whether you want a soft, natural glow or a touch of glam, they’ll help you look and feel radiant for your very first family portraits.
Let’s capture these once-in-a-lifetime moments—beautiful, timeless, and filled with love in my professional baby photography San Diego studio.
The newborn session fee is $250. It includes a 3 hour custom session, the use of newborns props and outfits, the photographer and assistant time and talent and a 1-hour ordering appointment. The session fee does not include any pictures. Prints, products, and digital images have to be purchased separately. There is a $600 minimum order required in addition to the session fee. You can decide on the final package when you see your pictures at your ordering appointment. On average clients spend $1000-$3000+ on digital images, prints and albums.
Welcoming a newborn into the family is an unforgettable and precious moment. It is a time when we experience a sense of joy and happiness that is impossible to describe in words. One way to capture this special moment is by scheduling a professional newborn photo shoot.
Newborn photography San Diego is an art form that requires great skill and experience. By investing in professional newborn photography you can freeze these fleeting moments in time and enjoy beautiful and timeless newborn pictures San Diego CA for a lifetime.
Photographs are more than just images—they are love, frozen in time. One of the greatest joys of investing in professional newborn photography is having these cherished memories displayed in your home, where they become daily reminders of the love and warmth that fill your family’s life. Seeing their baby pictures framed on the walls or nestled in a beautifully crafted album gives children a profound sense of belonging and self-worth. It tells them: "You are loved, you are treasured, and you are an irreplaceable part of this family".
Beyond the emotional connection, printed photos help create a legacy—a visual story of your family’s journey. As your child grows, they will look back at these images and see how much they have been loved from the very beginning. These tangible memories provide a sense of continuity and history, strengthening family bonds and preserving the magic of their earliest days for generations to come.
A home filled with these heartfelt images is a home filled with love. Beautiful, professionally printed newborn portraits add warmth and personality to your space, turning your house into a place of comfort and connection. Newborn pictures San Diego not only invite smiles and spark conversations but also serve as cherished reminders of the joy and love that define your family’s story.
The world of newborn photography offers a multitude of creative and adorable poses that capture the innocence and beauty of newborns. While individual preferences may vary, here are some of the most popular newborn poses frequently requested in newborn sessions.
This is my absolute favorite pose! Babies tend to LOVE this pose and they look so adorable like this! The Tushie-up pose shows off their little face and size perfectly and that foot that peeks out below their tushie? Isn’t it the cutest?! The tushie-up pose allows a newborn photographer to capture the baby in a natural way, and from different angles, too!
This classic pose involves the baby lying on its back, cradled in the arms of the parent or a prop such as a basket, flower or nest. It showcases the baby's tiny features and creates a sense of warmth and security.
In this pose, the baby is gently curled up into a fetal position, resembling a little taco. It highlights the baby's flexibility and captures their natural inclination to curl up, reminiscent of their time in the womb.
This pose mimics a frog-like position, with the baby's hands placed near their face, and their legs bent at the knees. It requires careful handling and is often achieved by combining multiple images during post-processing for safety reasons. Not all San Diego newborn photographers can do this pose.
This versatile pose captures the baby lying on their tummy, often with their hands delicately placed near their face or under their chin. It showcases the baby's facial expressions and features.
This is ABL Photography's signature pose. The hammock was custom-designed for my studio and it's my all-time favorite. There is something magical about a picture of a baby in a hammock. This prop helps to pose the baby in a curled-up position with one leg dangling and the little footsie showing under the baby's tushie. How cute is that? Handcrafted with intricate knots and delicate patterns, the hammock provides a soothing cocoon for babies to relax and sleep. The gentle sway of the hammock mimics the motion babies experience in the womb, creating a tranquil atmosphere that promotes relaxation and serenity.
Including older siblings in newborn photography, sessions creates heartwarming moments. Siblings can be captured cradling the newborn, kissing their forehead, or gently interacting with them, showcasing the special bond between siblings.
Props such as baskets, buckets, crates, or soft blankets can be used to pose the baby in various adorable positions. These props add visual interest and provide a cozy and secure environment for the newborn.
Involving parents in a baby session is a popular trend. Parents can hold their baby, cradle them in their arms, or gently kiss their forehead, capturing the love and connection between parent and child.
While many newborns sleep during photoshoots, capturing them awake can create unique and engaging images. These photos often showcase the baby's alertness and curiosity as they explore their surroundings.
Babies are photographed beautifully wrapped in soft and stretchy wraps. Most of the newborn babies love being swaddled. So, it's usually the photographer's go-to pose when dealing with a fussy baby. Once wrapped newborns usually relax and fall asleep. It's no surprise the Potato Sack Pose is a newborn photographer's favorite pose because it's the easiest pose for babies and photographers, they both LOVE it. Haha! :)
It's the opposite of the easy Potato Pose! The hanging pose is very challenging and time-consuming. It requires the help of an assistant and extensive post-production work. Also, it solely depends on the baby's temperament and sleepiness. If you have
any specific infant photo ideas San Diego please contact me ahead of time for your complimentary baby shoot San Diego consultation.
Your baby’s safety and well-being are my priorities. Those first few days of life are delicate and precious, and I take every measure to ensure that your little one is safe, comfortable, and nurtured throughout our session. Using gentle posing techniques, soft support aids, and, when necessary, professional composite editing, I create images that capture the beauty of your newborn while prioritizing their safety at all times.
With over 15 years of experience and hundreds of newborns photographed, I’ve learned that every baby is unique. While I prepare a variety of gorgeous setups to give you a stunning gallery, your baby will always lead the way. Some little ones love to stretch
out, while others feel most secure when wrapped snugly. Together, we’ll adjust our approach to match your baby sleep schedule, temperament, and sensitivity, creating a relaxed and peaceful experience for everyone involved. My ultimate goal as an experienced
San Diego newborn photographer is for you to leave not just with breathtaking images, but with beautiful memories of this special time, knowing that your baby was cared
for with love and patience.
"Choosing a professional baby photographer san diego can be extremely overwhelming and Svetlana was the best decision we've made when planning for the arrival of our little princess. If you are looking for a fantastic photographer, stop looking, you've found her! I booked her when I was near my due date and knew she was the right choice after reviewing her websites (Yelp, Instagram, Google, and Facebook). Svetlana was very accommodating and responsive to my messages on Instagram and Yelp. She has a beautiful studio in her home in San Diego with a breathtaking set-up and just a ton of wonderful props, backdrops, blankets, etc. to use. Svetlana and her assistant were very patient and soothing with our newborn. I had absolutely no idea how the shoots were going to go and was worried my baby wouldn't cooperate, but I was totally wrong as she is truly a baby whisperer! I can't say enough about Svetlana and her assistant. We are so happy that we found ABL Photography while scouring the internet for the best San Diego newborn photographers. If you are hesitating - don't! I did plenty of research and am so glad I found Svetlana!! I highly recommend her for newborn shoots San Diego. I cannot wait to see the finished product, but I am confident they will be stunning. Tips: - Book her in advance. - Show up on time (I know this is hard with a newborn, but this will allow maximum time for the session to go smoothly). - If you have something in mind let her know ahead of time to save time. We have received our pictures and the end result was excellent. We got many compliments already on our daughter's pictures. A newborn session is indeed an investment, but working with Svetlana and receiving such a high-end product makes it well worth it. If you are looking for a maternity or newborn photographer Svetlana is the best newborn photographer San Diego CA, she knows what she is doing! "
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"Trusting someone with my newborn and maternity photos is not something I take lightly. One of my friends recommended Svetlana as one of the best San Diego baby photographers and she exceeded my expectations in every aspect. She is so fun to work with and puts me at ease through each shoot. She handled my fussy newborn with such care and ease for her photo session which really reflected in the photos.
The entire experience working with her was seamless. She was extremely flexible, considering that we did not know exactly when the baby would be born.
And finally, the quality of the photos was EXCELLENT. We loved her classic, elegant style. She is the best San Diego newborn photographer. We are so happy with the final product and will recommend her to all our friends!"
"I spent quite some time searching for a baby photographer San Diego studio while pregnant with my second son. I was absolutely captivated by ABL Photography's portfolio. Given how stunning her work is, I assumed it would be out of our price range. I reached out to Svetlana and was shocked at how reasonable the pricing is for such a high-end product. We immediately booked with her and I was thrilled with the entire experience.
She was prompt to respond at all times. For our newborn shoot, she provided great details on how to prepare for the best shots possible. Upon arrival at the studio she has a large selection of both boy and girl newborn outfits, each one more adorable than the next, it looks like an Etsy showroom. Many were handcrafted by her assistant, they were so adorable it was hard to choose. She and her assistant are true masters of their craft, she has an eye for detail that cannot be matched. She and her assistant positioned my son perfectly. They are a dynamic duo with a talent that is beyond words. I was thrilled with the end result, my photos look like they belong in a magazine. I would highly recommend booking a photo shoot with ABL Photography. Do this early as she books up quickly. We now have priceless photos of our little guy we will cherish for years to come."
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"I was looking for an affordable newborn photography near me and found Svetlana through Yelp and immediately fell in love with her work for a newborn shoot San Diego. We did a package deal for maternity photos San Diego + newborn photoshoots. I'm so pleased with how the pictures turned out for both shoots. The photos capture once-in-a-lifetime moments. Honestly, I'm not only in awe but in shock that she was able to capture such beautiful pictures considering how difficult my toddler was being during both shoots! Looking through the pictures, you would've never known he was cranky most of the time. Svetlana was very patient with us and had great direction. She was very quick to capture the fleeting moments when my son was sweet.
My mother and mother-in-law were able to see the pictures and could not stop raving about how beautiful they turned out. The only complaint was that I should have used her for my firstborn also!
It's true that you get what you pay for, and these pictures were worth every penny. I could not be any happier and highly recommend her for anybody looking for the best San Diego newborn photography specialist."
"This review is for newborn photos San Diego (although she does maternity photo session as well!)
After searching extensively online for the best San Diego baby photographer - I am 110% pleased to say I am SO HAPPY we went with ABL Photography! Svetlana and her assistant are the best! If you're looking for a photographer, look no further. ABL's in-home studio is awesome! She has every prop you can think of... and the clothes? Oh my, they're SUPER cute!
She isn't an award-winning photographer for nothing! She (and her assistant) are absolute professionals!
- I reached out to her via email (as listed on their website) and she responded the same day (so awesome!)
- She mentioned the session fee and what it entailed (3-hour in-studio photo session using the props she has available)
- She also sent the price list (which is also on her website)
- You don't have to commit to purchasing anything when you pay for your session fee. You can decide on the package you want when you see your pictures.
We arrived on time for our appointment and the 3 hours went by so quickly! Svetlana and her assistant were amazing! My husband and I are new parents, and a baby being 12 days old - we were still getting the hang of things (.. we still are!)
- She'll ask what poses you like/want to do - so do your homework on her website prior to in case there's one you really love. She has more that she'll show you in her studio, but again, if there's one you really love - save it on your phone and show it to her when you arrive.
- She has everything set up (lighting, white noise, etc) to help your little one be as comfortable as possible.
- Once you choose your poses, you'll get to choose the clothing as well. There are so many cute outfits to choose from - all made by her (talented) assistant! If I could purchase them, I would! They're all so cozy and comfy.
- There's a sofa for you to relax, so once she and her assistant get started, you're welcome to either watch or take a nap. My husband got a short nap before our family pics.
She highly recommends taking pics when babies are 5-14 days old - and only takes a limited amount of clients each month. So if you're interested, reach out to her right away. I reached out to her when I was 7 months pregnant and so happy I did! I didn't have to worry about whether she was fully booked/committed during our due date. I highly recommend booking her ahead of time for your baby shoots San Diego."
"There are literally not enough good words to describe Svetlana, one of the best baby photographers San Diego. Her portfolio is exquisite for maternity and newborn photos and after some research, I knew that I wanted to go with ABL photography for my kids' photoshoot. Her professionalism is off the chart - prompt with responses, super creative, easy to work with, and not to mention the unique ability to interact with children and really bring out their character and capture those spontaneous, goofy moments that we will look back on with such fondness for years to come. Svetlana is patient, knowledgeable, attentive to details, thrives for perfection, and at the same time is relaxed and so easy and comfortable to work with - an essential characteristic for both parents and children. My girls were smiling within minutes of entering her studio and as a result, the images turned out so natural and alive, I honestly can't take my eyes off them. Her props collection is so impressive-she has something for any taste. Svetlana was very helpful throughout the whole process, helped with picking the outfits, and was quick to share my images! I honestly can't recommend her enough! She is one of the best infant photographers San Diego!"
"Svetlana is the most professional newborn photographer in San Diego area! My Father is a retired photographer. I sent him a list of 10+ local San Diego maternity and newborn photographers, all of which were raved about in local Facebook groups. He said
one of those many were okay but he found Svetlana on an Association site. My husband, who also has an eye for art said there’s no question we’re going with her. And, wow, are we glad we did!
She took us to a park for the maternity shoot. We were rushed only to catch the good sunlight - oh she did! I’m obsessed with waterfalls and she went above and beyond to find a great spot for our San Diego maternity photos.
Days after our son was born we went to her studio. Which I believe is the downstairs of her home but it was so nice and comfortable. As first-time parents we didn’t realize our poor little guy was so fussy because he was hungry. Although I was trying
to breastfeed it wasn’t working out so she gave us a small bottle of formula and he was happy as a clam. She even burped him and taught us how! The shoot went great. She has so many props. We told her my husband is a Car Guy and she found the perfect
kid-size car to sit our LO on. We are so in love with our photos and highly recommend ABL Photography as one of the best newborn photography San Diego studios."
If you are looking for the best San Diego maternity & newborn photographers, please contact me to check availability and book your infant session. I specialize in timeless and beautiful newborn pictures in San Diego CA. I photograph newborn babies
in my cozy home-based studio conveniently located in the Torrey Highlands/Carmel Valley area. It’s an easy up to 30-minute drive from all over San Diego County including:
San Diego | Alpine | Bonita | Carlsbad | Carmel Valley | Chula Vista | Coronado | Del Mar | El Cajon | Encinitas | Escondido | Fallbrook | Imperial Beach | La Jolla | Lakeside | La Mesa | Lemon Grove | Mira Mesa | Murrieta | National City | Ocean Beach | Oceanside | Poway | Ramona | Rancho Santa Fe | San Clemente | Santee | Solana Beach | Temecula | Valley Center | Vista | San Marcos, California
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(858)780-2889
mail@ablphotography.com Working Hours: Mon,Tue,Wed, Thu,Fri,Sat 10 AM–9 PM |
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