They won’t be this little forever.
san diego family photographer
THE CHILDHOOD COLLECTION
Portraits of who they are now, artwork you’ll keep forever.
The little expressions, big personalities, and everything that makes them who they are.
From individual children's portraits to siblings and the whole family, our San Diego studio creates timeless photographs that celebrate the people you love most.
Curious how it works?
Ready to begin?
Let's make something beautiful together.
SPECIAL EVENT • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
The Little Portrait Event
Little FACES. BIG PERSONALITIES.
Looking for something more personalized?
Keep scrolling to explore our full studio portrait experience.
The sweetest holiday gifts aren't found in a store.
They're the little faces, silly expressions, and personalities we wish we could hold onto forever.
That's why every session includes three beautiful 8×10 fine art prints. A little something to keep, a little something to gift to grandparents, and memories you'll treasure long after they've grown.
This is what we create.
Not just portraits, artwork.
There’s a difference, and you’ll feel it when you see your child in a finished portrait. The little expression you know by heart. The confidence beginning to emerge. The laugh, the seriousness, the personality that is completely and unmistakably theirs.
The Childhood Collection was created around a simple idea: who they are right now deserves to be remembered.
Every portrait is created with your home in mind, turning this season of childhood into artwork you’ll treasure long after they’ve grown.
The Childhood Collection is a private children’s portrait experience in San Diego, thoughtfully designed around your child, your family, and the artwork you want to create.
Children’s Portraits in San Diego
The Childhood Collection
A Fine Art Studio Portrait Experience
Your experience is guided from beginning to end, from planning your session and creating the portraits to seeing them for the first time at your private reveal and choosing artwork for your home.
These are more than photographs for right now. They’re portraits of childhood, created to become part of your family’s story.
Your child doesn’t need to sit still, smile on command, or know what to do in front of the camera. And you don’t need to spend the session trying to make it happen.
Our studio is a space for kids to be kids. We give them time to settle in, get curious, and enjoy the experience while we take care of the rest.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR SAN DIEGO PORTRAIT SESSION
Come in. Get comfortable. We’ll take it from here.
Pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee while your little one gets comfortable at our coloring and creativity station. This is their time to look around, warm up to the space, and settle in before stepping in front of the camera.
01 SETTLE IN
Little ones can play with our children’s camera, explore how photography works, and get curious about what we’re creating together.
We want the studio to feel interesting and fun, not like somewhere they’ve been brought to sit still and perform.
02 LET THEM EXPLORE
Take a seat and enjoy watching your child be completely themselves.
We’ll guide, play, and follow their personality as it unfolds. The big laughs, quiet expressions, silliness, confidence, and all those little looks you know so well.
No pressure for perfect behavior or perfect smiles. We’re looking for them.
03 YOU RELAX. WE CREATE.
Walk out feeling proud of how wonderfully your child did and excited to see what we created together.
At your private reveal, you’ll see their finished portraits for the first time and choose the ones you love most.
04 LEAVE WITH A FULL HEART
EXPLORE our full studio experience Below
A Private studio experience
BROWSE BELOW:
Portraits for Every Season of Childhood
Celebrate birthdays, missing teeth, growing personalities, and the little milestones worth remembering.
Timeless portraits centered around your child and the personality that makes them completely their own.
You don’t need a milestone. Sometimes who they are right now is reason enough.
Preserve the connection, laughter, and wonderfully unique relationship they share.
Step into the frame and preserve this season of your family together.
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We start with a conversation about your child, your family, and what you’d love to create.
We’ll also talk about your home and finished artwork so your session feels intentional from the start.
Your portrait session is fully guided, giving us plenty of time to create a variety of beautiful portraits without rushing the experience.
You can relax while we take care of the rest.
After your session, we’ll meet for your private reveal, where you’ll see your finished portraits for the first time.
We’ll help you choose your favorites and decide how you’d most love to enjoy them.
THOUGHTFUL FROM START TO FINISH
The Process
Once your portraits are selected, we’ll create your finished artwork.
From custom-framed wall art to albums and fine art prints, each piece is designed to become part of your home and your family’s story.
STUDIO SESSION FEE | $200
Your session fee includes:
• A private planning call before your session
• Up to 60 minutes of private portrait time
• A clean, timeless white backdrop
• Full guidance throughout your session
• A relaxed, child-centered experience
• A private reveal and artwork design appointment
• Up to four immediate family members
Artwork is purchased separately after your session, once you’ve seen your portraits and selected the images and artwork you love most.
THE CHILDHOOD COLLECTION
Your portraits are meant to be more than images on a screen. Choose from artwork designed to be seen, held onto, and enjoyed for years to come.
Artwork Created for Your Home
After Your Session
- Fine Art Prints
- Signature Albums
- Signature Display Acrylic Art
- Gallery Wrap Float Frames
- Custom Hardwood Framed Fine Art Prints
Most families invest between $450 and $1,800+ in their finished artwork, with some investing more for larger wall pieces, albums, or collections.
Every qualifying artwork includes a matching personal-use digital file, so you can enjoy your favorite portraits both in your home and digitally.
What’s included in the Studio Session Fee?
The $200 session fee includes your planning call, up to 60 minutes of private portrait time, full guidance throughout your session, and a private reveal and artwork design appointment.
Artwork is purchased separately after your session.
What ages do you photograph?
The Childhood Collection is designed for children of all ages, from babies and toddlers to older children and teens.
Every session is thoughtfully tailored to your child’s age, personality, interests, and comfort level.
What if my child is shy, energetic, or doesn’t want to sit still?
That’s completely okay. Your child doesn’t need to sit still, smile on command, or know what to do in front of the camera.
We give them time to settle in, play, explore, and get comfortable. The experience is designed around your child, not perfect behavior.
Who can be included in the portrait session?
Sessions include up to four immediate family members, with time to create individual portraits as well as sibling and family portraits together.
Have a larger family or someone special you’d like to include? Reach out before your session and we’ll talk through what works best.
Are digital files included?
The Childhood Collection is an artwork-focused portrait experience, and digital files are not sold separately.
Qualifying artwork includes a matching personal-use digital file, allowing you to enjoy your favorite portraits both in your home and digitally.
Do you only photograph children?
Not at all. In addition to children’s portraiture, the studio welcomes families, maternity, newborns, professional headshots and branding, as well as dogs and other pets.
If you have something specific in mind, reach out and we’ll help determine the best portrait experience for you.
Meet Your San Diego Children's Photographer
Valerie has always felt at home around children. Growing up in a big family and now raising two little ones, connecting with kids has always come naturally.
Before stepping behind the camera, Valerie worked as a certified assistant teacher in a Montessori school and studied child development, giving her an understanding of how children explore, communicate, and become comfortable in new environments.
Trained in studio portrait photography, her approach is patient, playful, and centered around capturing the personality parents know and love.
Get to KNOw VALERIE
I AM OBSESSED! My husband loved the album we created for Father’s Day. He had no idea we were doing it, and it was such an awesome surprise!
A Father’s Day worth remembering.
- Emily e.
I love them all! My son had so much fun. Val made him feel comfortable and really helped him come out of his shell. She captured him so perfectly.
Comfortable enough to be completely himself.
- Logan B.
Val is incredible. The attention to detail, excitement, and understanding she has when working with kids is amazing. You can tell how much she genuinely loves what she does.
A natural way with little ones.
- Megan R.
If you’re ready to preserve this season of your child’s life and create meaningful artwork for your home, the next step is a complimentary Studio Consultation.
During your consultation, we’ll talk about your child, their personality and interests, what you’d love to capture, and what you’re envisioning for your finished artwork.
Use the scheduler below to choose a time that works best for you. If you don’t see a time that fits, reach out at hello@elevenpawsphotography.com and we’ll help find something that does.
I can’t wait to hear about your little one and what you’re dreaming up.
With Love + Wonder,
Valerie
Children’s Portrait Photographer | The Childhood Collection
LET’S CREATE SOMETHING YOU’LL ALWAYS WANT TO REMEMBER.
READY TO RESERVE YOUR CHILD’S PORTRAIT EXPERIENCE?
