Capturing Motherhood,
Empowering Your Legacy

Renata Lutz, The Portrait Mama recently mentioned in NBC, FOX, Style Magazine, CBS, Times of San Diego, SD Voyager

Top Newborn Photographer in San Diego
Top Newborn Photographer in San Diego
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Empowering Women Through Elegant, Bespoke Photography

In San Diego, life moves fast, and no one understands this better than moms. From the moment you discover you’re pregnant to watching your children grow, time seems to fly by. Days are long, but years go by in the blink of an eye. Capturing the beauty and importance of these fleeting moments is my passion. As a luxury photographer in La Jolla, I offer full-service maternity, newborn, family, and personal branding photography to ensure these memories last a lifetime.

I’m honored to serve mothers across San Diego County, from La Jolla to Encinitas, and from Rancho Peñasquitos to Coronado. Whether you’re welcoming your first child or managing a business while raising a bustling household, I specialize in photographing the milestones you’ll want to remember forever.

Every photo portrait I create is designed to help you relive the most important moments in your family’s life. And for the business owners I work with, my personal branding sessions are crafted to reflect your unique story and professional journey. Every mother has a journey and a story, and I’m privileged to help you tell yours through timeless, high-end photography.

I pride myself on developing strong relationships with my clients, allowing me to capture their personalities in every image. My clients often become great friends, and I’m honored to be part of these pivotal moments in their lives.

about me

Work With Me

My Services

Maternity and Newborn Photography in San Diego

From the moment you see that positive pregnancy test, everything starts moving quickly. As a mother myself, I know how overwhelming those early days of motherhood can feel. I specialize in helping San Diego moms pause and savor each step of their motherhood journey by capturing the beauty of each moment.

My maternity photography sessions are designed for expecting mothers in San Diego and the surrounding areas, such as La Jolla, Del Mar, and Encinitas. I offer both in-studio sessions in my luxury La Jolla photography studio and in-home sessions, ensuring you’re comfortable throughout the entire experience.

For newborn photography, I bring everything we need to your home or provide all props in my San Diego photography studio. My full-service approach means I provide newborn props, outfits, and backdrops, all selected to match your vision and style. Whether you want an intimate at-home session or a stylized studio shoot, I ensure a relaxed experience while capturing the precious moments of your baby’s first days.

Some of the sessions I offer include:

  • Maternity Photography Sessions: Capture the glow of pregnancy in a location that suits you—whether it’s my beautiful studio in La Jolla, a stunning beach in Encinitas or a serene park in Rancho Peñasquitos.
  • Newborn Photography Sessions: Specializing in newborn photography, I provide a calm and relaxed environment where your baby is the star. My goal is to create timeless portraits that you’ll cherish for years to come.
  • Milestone Sessions & Cake Smash Photography: From your baby’s first smile to their first birthday, I help capture every special milestone.

By offering both in-home and in-studio sessions, I prioritize your family’s comfort, ensuring that every aspect of the photoshoot is seamless. Ready to capture these fleeting moments with a luxury maternity or newborn photography session in San Diego?

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Child and

Family Photography

Family life is full of beautiful moments that pass by far too quickly. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to document your family’s unique dynamic, I offer family photography sessions that allow you to hold onto these memories forever.

In San Diego, families have many options for gorgeous backdrops, whether you prefer a beach session in La Jolla or a park shoot in Mission Hills. I take a play-based approach to family photography, ensuring a stress-free, fun experience for everyone—yes, even the dads!

One of the things that make my San Diego family photography sessions special is how I incorporate the personality of each family member. Whether it’s a toddler with a big personality or a quiet child who needs a little extra time, I ensure that each family’s story shines through in the photos. I believe in mixing posed portraits with candid shots, creating a balanced gallery of photos that reflect the authentic connection within your family.

And let’s not forget the pets! As a dog lover, I welcome the opportunity to include your fur kids in your family session. I understand how important pets are to many families, and I love capturing their personalities too. Whether we’re shooting in San Diego’s Balboa Park or in your backyard, these photos will be treasured for years to come.

Some of my most popular family services include:

  • Play-based Family Sessions: Capture genuine smiles and laughter during fun, interactive sessions designed to put your family at ease.
  • Candid and Posed Portraits: A perfect blend of structured and natural moments ensures a diverse set of photos to cherish.
  • Pet-Friendly Sessions: I welcome your pets to join in the fun—dogs are always a joy to photograph alongside your family.

Looking to preserve your family’s special moments with a luxury family photography session in San Diego?

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Personal Branding Photography for San Diego Entrepreneurs

Running a business is hard work, and being the face of that business can feel overwhelming. I understand how tough it can be to show up confidently in front of the camera, especially for San Diego mompreneurs juggling both family and business responsibilities. That’s where I come in.

As a personal branding photographer in San Diego, I help women entrepreneurs take control of their brand’s image with high-end, personalized branding photography. Whether you’re a business owner in La Jolla, a mompreneur in Encinitas, or a social media influencer in Rancho Peñasquitos, my branding sessions are designed to capture your unique voice and message.

From modern lifestyle headshots to on-brand social media content, I provide everything you need to connect with your audience authentically. My branding sessions are about more than just pretty pictures—they’re about helping you feel confident and ready to market your business with stunning visuals that attract your dream clients.

Each session begins with a planning call, where we’ll discuss your business’s needs, your brand’s aesthetic, and how you want to show up online. On photoshoot day, I’ll guide you through poses, wardrobe choices, and props, ensuring that your final images reflect who you are as a business owner.

Some of my branding photography services include:

  • Personalized Branding Photos: Customized to reflect your brand’s unique identity, these images help elevate your marketing materials.
  • Social Media Content Photography: Create scroll-stopping content with photos that align perfectly with your brand.
  • Modern Lifestyle Headshots: Capture authentic and approachable headshots that speak directly to your ideal clients.

Ready to show up confidently and attract your dream clients with a luxury branding photography session in San Diego?ence to conquer your most ambitious goals!

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Client testimonials

the kindest words …

Book your session with Renata today it will be a wonderful investment with memories to last a lifetime!

Where do I start with Renata’s amazing professional photography talent? She’s been our go to photographer since we’ve moved to the area and we’ve entrusted her with some of our most special memories. My children immediately warmed to her and were at ease, no small feat considering these two are often uncooperative when taking photos. Her kindness, ability to connect with her clients and patience are amazing! Renata captured milestones for my daughter, family sessions and our beloved dog who is no longer with us. I am so grateful to have found such a talented photographer who has such passion for her work. She not only tries to capture everything you are hoping for but also manages to get the most beautiful candid images. Book your session with Renata today it will be a wonderful investment with memories to last a lifetime!
Katie A.

We’ve started posting some of the brand shoot photos onto our social platforms and marketing materials and have already seen a huge increase in engagement and overall interest.

Working with Renata was an absolute dream! When it comes to planning a brand shoot it can be a big project, but Renata made the whole process easy and enjoyable. She worked with us on developing a game plan before the branding shoot, making sure our brand voice came through our photos. As someone who can feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, Renata made me (and everyone else involved) feel so confident. She also perfectly captured the aesthetic and look we were going for. We’ve started posting some of the brand shoot photos onto our social platforms and marketing materials and have already seen a huge increase in engagement and overall interest. If you’re in need of content that embodies your brand and speaks to your target audience – Renata is the photographer for you!
Ashley Hughes
Co-Founder of ‘Do the thought work’ podcast
CEO of Willow Marketing

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my brand photos!!!

Working with Renata for my Brand Photos was a dream. She had everything taken care of – from poses, location, and even suggestions for wardrobe and props, she made my experience “The Best.” She gently guided me with conversation and laughter to capture my essence in my photos, and left meeting a new dear friend. She was also able to take the vision I had for myself & brand and bring it into reality in a way that was even better than that what I imagined. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my brand photos!!! Renata, is phenomenal and recommended her to anyone I know needing brand photos that truly brings out the essence of you & your brand.
Naheemah McMicheaux
CEO of The story inside you

The results are always spectacular and will leave you wondering how she captured the moment so quickly!

Renata has been such a blessing to our family! She is so warm and genuine, she always goes out of her way to help keep the photoshoot going even with a fussy toddler and puppy!! The results are always spectacular and will leave you wondering how she captured the moment so quickly!
Veronica A.

She has somehow made my shyness and awkwardness in front of the camera disappear in her shots.

Working with Renata is always such a good experience! Also the product and the user friendly interface to review and order your photos… she has exceeded our expectations every single time, it only gets better with her! She is patient and great at guiding us to capture natural candid moments. She has somehow made my shyness and awkwardness in front of the camera disappear in her shots. I am convinced that she is a dog and toddler whisperer: try getting a good photo of 5-6 toddlers at the same time like she does! 🙂 She has beautiful locations, backdrops and fresh ideas for her sessions. 110% recommended! Keep up the great work, The Portrait Mama! We’ll see you again very soon.
Alejandra Z.

My business is not just a business. It’s a culture. Renata captures the essence of what we’ve worked so hard to create.

Renata is one of the very kindest and professional people I’ve ever worked with. The balance of kindness, fun and professionalism can be hard to find- but Renata has managed to do just that. Every photo she’s ever taken of me has become a favorite. In fact, Renata wins for taking my favorite picture of all time. And let’s be real, we are our own worst critic. But I love this photo! I’ve also had the joy of getting to sit with Renata on branding. My business is not just a business. It’s a culture. Renata captures the essence of what we’ve worked so hard to create. A culture that’s soft, peaceful, kind, pretty, accepting. Her pictures tell our story better than any words could. She is truly the best.
Kara Lee
Founder and CEO of The Well Community for Women

I have had three photoshoots with Renata, and all were amazing experiences!

I have had three photoshoots with Renata, and all were amazing experiences! Our first was with our newborn baby girl. Renata was always patient and gentle, and we got the most incredible photos. The second and third were for our daughter’s first and second birthdays and for each one, Renata managed to capture our her silly personality. 
Rachelle W.

THE GALLERY

Recent Work

Newborn baby nestled in a soft wrap, photographed by San Diego newborn photography studio The Portrait Mama
adorable newborn portrait, showcasing one of the poses and setups offered by San Diego's premier newborn photographer.
Older sister holding baby, captured in a professional San Diego milestone photography session, showcasing sibling love.
Newborn baby posed in an simple setup, highlighting the beauty of infancy in a San Diego photography studio.
Family portrait during a newborn session photo shoot highlingting the love for a new baby
Casual headshot of a La Jolla female busisness owner in a personal brand photo shoot
Newborn baby posed in a simple set up during a newborn session with the La Jolla baby photographer The Portrait Mama
Confident woman presenting celebrating business success in San Diego, embodying confidence and expertise in personal branding photography.

frequently asked questions

Newborn sessions

Personal brand sessions

Although I always recommend scheduling your newborn session while you are in your second to third trimester, your baby is still a newborn after that! As a matter of fact, I have photographed older babies frequently. 

The recommendation is to have your newborn session while the baby is around 7-14 days new. But, I totally understand the fog you go through after bringing that baby home, and I will do my best to fit you in and get those memories documented!

Absolutely not!!!! I offer a full-service session and will provide everything we need for the session: newborn props, outfits, fabrics, accessories, and backdrops.

I take newborn safety VERY seriously. I have been trained and certified in newborn safety and infant CPR. I will follow the baby’s lead throughout the session and will never ‘force’ a pose. My newborn props and outfits are inspected and sanitized between sessions. I am also fully vaccinated (including influenza, Tdap, and COVID-19).

I offer both in home newborn sessions and in studio newborn sessions. The location is completely up to you and where you feel more comfortable.

Not really. Although you will get some killer headshots during your session, personal branding sessions are way more than that! We will dive deep on your message and your ideal client, and create images that speak directly to them. We will showcase who you are, what you do and why you do it! We will create images that you can use for your website, mailing and online marketing, social media platforms, and much more!

Absolutely yes! As a matter of fact, it can be an accelerator into building up your business! I offer three different branding packages so I can serve women and their business in every stage.

I not only can, but I will. A big part of the preparation work for you photoshoot is actually diving deep in all aspects of your personal brand: brand aesthetics, brand message, and of course you as the face of your brand!

I do! I offer a package that includes multiple branding photo sessions with monthly payments. These packages can keep your social media content up to date and allows you for seasonal imagery.

Think we are a great fit?

I offer newborn photography, family photography, and personal branding photography to women in San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, San Marcos, Chula Vista, La Mesa and beyond!

Let’s connect!

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