San Clemente · Private Studio · By Appointment Only
A STUDIO BUILT AROUND YOU
Private, fully equipped, and designed around one thing: making your session feel as extraordinary as the portraits you'll take home.
THE STUDIO
TWENTY YEARS.
ONE SESSION AT A TIME.
My San Clemente studio wasn't designed to look good in photos. It was designed to feel like the right place to be — relaxed, unhurried, and completely taken care of.
I only schedule eight custom session per month and one custom session per day. That means the studio is yours from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. No other families in the waiting room. No one watching the clock. Just us, doing this well.
Everything you could possibly need is here — from thousands of props for your newborn or baby to 100+ maternity gowns to choose from, a lounge for the little ones with Netflix, Hulu, and over 250 movies, plus coffee, wine, and snacks because this should feel like a day you look forward to.
STUDIO AMENITIES
everything thought of. everything included.
From the moment you walk in, you'll realize this isn't a typical photo studio. It's a space designed to make your experience feel effortless — whether you're bringing a eight-day-old newborn or a family of twelve.
CHANGING STATION
A perfect spot to clean up baby with diapers, wipes and birth cloths all provided.
snacks
Popular snacks for kids and adults alike! These come in handy for hungry toddlers.
coffee & drinks
Different types of coffee and teas, as well as other beverages to keep you hydrated.
WINE & BEER
Looking for a bit more relaxation? Crack open a bear or pop a bottle of champagne.
steaming services
Streaming services and access to a movie library with over 250 family friendly movies.
workstation
A workstation with desk and wifi available during your longer sessions.
toys & books
Books and toys to entertain your littles during your a long session.
wardrobe styling
Our studio has a large selection of maternity dresses for client use during sessions.
maternity wardrobe
100+ gowns for you to choose from the studio wardrobe.
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The studio's maternity wardrobe has grown over the years into one of the most extensive in Orange County. With over 100 gowns — flowing boho styles, structured luxury dresses, form-fitting silhouettes, and fine art editorial looks — most clients choose 1 to 3 looks for their session.
Everything is available at no extra charge. You're welcome to bring your own outfits too — many clients do both. We go through everything together at your pre-session consultation so there's no guesswork on the day.
- Flowing boho and beach gowns
- Structured luxury maternity dresses
- Fine art editorial styles for studio sessions
- A range of colors, fabrics, and silhouettes
- All included — no rental fee
client wardrobe closet
dress for the session. not the stress of it.
The client closet is available to all session types — and it's designed to make wardrobe one less thing to think about. Every piece is hand-selected to photograph beautifully.
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For the Girls — Ages 1 to 10
Hand-selected dresses in sizes from toddler to tween. Flowy, whimsical, and timeless styles that photograph beautifully — in florals, neutrals, soft colors, and classic whites. No more scrambling for the perfect dress before a session.
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For Mom — Fine Art & Family Sessions
A curated selection of dresses for mothers and women — flowing gowns ideal for fine art family portraits, styled looks for studio sessions, and elevated pieces that feel luxurious without looking overdone. Available in a range of sizes.
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Boys & Little Ones
Hand-knit rompers, classic shirts, and coordinating pieces for little boys. Thoughtfully chosen to pair well with the girls' wardrobe and the families we photograph. We can style the whole family together, or use it as inspiration.
props & backdrops
thousands of options to customize your session.
Every session is unique because every family is unique. Eighteen years of collecting means the studio's prop and backdrop library is genuinely one-of-a-kind.
For newborn and baby sessions, the collection runs into the thousands — wraps, bonnets, headbands, posing bowls, baskets, crates, organic fabric bundles, and seasonal sets in every color palette you can imagine.
For portraits and families: over 75 backdrops — seamless paper, hand-painted canvas, textured fabric, and natural material — plus a curated collection of chairs, stools, settees, and furniture pieces that gives each session its own distinct look and feel.
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We go through the prop and backdrop selection at your pre-session consultation — so on session day, every choice is already made and the studio is already set.
Newborn safety
baby's comfort comes first.
Newborn sessions are unhurried by design. We photograph only one newborn per day at the studio — which means we never rush a feeding, a soothe, or a settling moment.
trained newborn handling
Julie and her assistant are trained in safe newborn posing and handling. Baby's safety is non-negotiable and guides every decision during the session.
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Baby's Schedule, Not Ours
The session flows around feeding times, soothing moments, and sleepy stretches. There's no rush. We work with your baby, not around them.
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Organic Cleaning Standards
All props, fabrics, and posing accessories that touch newborn skin are sanitized or washed with organic, baby-safe products between every session.
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Warming & Comfort
The studio is always kept warm for newborns. Nursing pillows, swaddle blankets, and white noise are all on hand. Come fed, ready to stay a while — this is a full experience.
props & backdrops
what to expect at the studio
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consultation first
Before your session, we meet to go over props, wardrobe, backdrop, timing, and everything in between. Session day is relaxed because it's already been planned.
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the studio is yours
One session per day. No other families, no shared waiting room, no clock-watching. The studio — and my full attention — belong entirely to you.
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fully guided
You don't need to know how to pose. I'll guide every moment — from how to hold the baby to where to look, how to move, how to be yourselves in front of a camera.
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private reveal day
1 to 2 weeks after your session, you come back to see your portraits on a large screen. We choose your wall art and albums together. No pressure, no hurry.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
STUDIO QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Everything you want to know before booking — from what to wear to what to bring (spoiler: nothing).
Can I use the studio's maternity dresses for my session?
Yes — the studio has over 100 maternity gowns available at no extra charge. Styles range from flowing boho beach gowns to structured luxury looks and fine art editorial styles. Most clients choose 1 to 3 dresses. We go through the wardrobe together at your pre-session consultation so everything is chosen in advance.
What props are available for newborn sessions?
The studio has thousands of newborn and baby props — wraps, bonnets, headbands, posing bowls, baskets, crates, buckets, and organic fabric accessories in every color palette. All props that touch newborn skin are sanitized between sessions using baby-safe, organic products. You don't need to bring anything.
Is there a wardrobe available for my kids?
Yes. The client closet includes hand-selected dresses for girls ages 1 to 10, fine art dresses for moms, and coordinating pieces for little boys. Everything is available to use during your session at no extra cost. You're also welcome to bring your own outfits — many clients do a mix of both.
What do you have to keep kids entertained during long sessions?
The studio has a dedicated lounge with Netflix, Hulu, and a library of over 250 family-friendly movies, plus tablets with age-appropriate content. There are also toys, books, and snacks on hand. Little ones can watch a movie, snack, and stay comfortable while the session is in progress.
How long is a session at the studio?
It depends on the session type. Newborn sessions typically run 3 to 5 hours because we work entirely around baby's feeding and sleep schedule — there's never a rush. Family portrait sessions are generally 1 to 2 hours. I schedule one session per day, so there's no time pressure of any kind.
Do I need to bring anything for a newborn or baby session?
Bring yourself, baby, and anything personally meaningful — a hospital blanket, a stuffed animal, a sentimental keepsake. Everything else is here: props, wraps, diapers, wipes, a changing station, nursing pillows, snacks, and drinks. Come ready to relax.
Is the studio private? Will other families be there?
The studio is completely private and by appointment only for custom sessions. I schedule one custom session per day — which means the studio belongs entirely to your family. No other clients, no shared waiting areas, no distractions. Just a relaxed, unhurried experience from start to finish. Mini-Session days will have multiple people, but you will have your own set session time.
Is parking available at the studio?
Yes, parking is available for clients. Specific parking instructions are provided at the time of booking confirmation. If you have any questions or need special accommodations, just ask — we'll make sure your arrival is as smooth as possible.
begin your experience
READY TO SEE THE STUDIO IN PERSON?
Every session starts with a consultation — where we tour the studio, go through the wardrobe, plan your session, and answer every question you have before a single photo is taken.
Julie Irene Photography, a luxury portrait studio in San Clemente, California. Newborn, family, maternity, headshots and personal branding for Orange County
san clemente, ca
Follow @JULIEIRENE
Dr. Christina Jenkins is a board-certified colorectal surgeon who also runs an aesthetic medicine clinic in Irvine. She built both practices around one idea: that patients deserve to feel heard, safe, and genuinely cared for.
She came in a little camera-shy. She left with these.
That`s the job.
She Means Business sessions booking now. Link in bio.
@NuVieMD
#shemeansbusiness #sanclementephotographer #brandingphotographer #ocwomenentrepreneurs #orangecountyphotographer
This is what an extended family session actually looks like before you see the final images.
Two strobes on the beach are a must with this many people if you plan on getting that gorgeous sunset perfect. Twenty-some people in eucalyptus trees requires hauling some stools.
Then you have me trying to get everyone to look the same direction at the same time, which never happens.... but good thing I know how to head swap!
Swipe to the last slide.
That`s the part they actually hang on the wall.
#extendedFamilyPhotography #SanClemente #OrangeCountyPhotographer #familyportraits #southOC
Yesterday I took a mental break. I’ve been dealing with some perimenopause symptoms for the last few years and the worst part of it all has been my sleep.
2am. Wide awake. Again.
my mind goes from thing to thing – nothing important, not one clear thought I could actually grab onto. I’m laying there doing breathing exercises, hoping that will help but sometimes that just makes me more aware that I’m still awake. My heart’s going a little faster than it should be. I’ve read enough about cortisol at this point to understand why, but understanding something and being able to fix it are two different things.
I have been doing everything. Functional medicine appointments, every few months, bloodwork, daily workouts because they’re supposed to help, supplements I could fill a small cabinet with. I just received a cooling mattress pad last week in hopes that will help as well. I cut off all caffeine after 10 AM. Even warm showers at night. Next step I’m gonna consider acupuncture.
Some months are great. Then all of a sudden weeks will go by without one good night sleep.
The thing that nobody told me about Perry menopause is that it’s different for everybody. Nobody hands you and manual, and most of the advice you get doesn’t actually apply to you.
I’m figuring it out. Slowly. Some nights are better than others.
If you’re in the same place, I generally love to know what’s helping you. I’m sharing this for another reason then I know I’m not the only one lying awake at 2 AM doing math and how many hours of sleep I can still get.
The women who book She Means Business sessions are usually the ones who have been doing kick ass things for years and still don`t have images that show for it.
They`ve got speaking gigs, writing books, and clients who trust them — and a headshot from 2016 they`re quietly embarrassed by every time they have to use it.
The session is a full day at my San Clemente studio. Hair and makeup. Multiple looks. Behind-the-scenes footage they can use for their businesses. A feature in the She Means Business Orange County magazine at the end of the campaign. As well as an invitation to the campaign-end Gallery Exhibition.
We still have space for 17 more amazing women. If you`ve been meaning to do this, this is the one for you!
Link in bio to start the conversation.
Summer is almost upon us. This is the time of year the whole family may actually be in the same place.
Cousins running around and having fun. The grandparents getting all their hugs and snuggles in with the grandkids. Someone is grilling and there is always that one complaining about the sand or heat. And sadly, nobody has thought about portraits — because why would they? The moment feels infinite.
It isn`t.
I`ve been photographing families for almost 20 years, and the sessions I think about most are the extended family ones. Not because they are the most complicated to coordinate (they are), but because I feel they are the most important. From personal experience I had these done before my father passed and those photos I treasure the most.
If your family is together this summer, it`s worth a conversation with everyone to make it happen.
My studio is in San Clemente. Sessions booked by retainer, and summer fills faster than people expect. If you`ve been thinking about reaching out, the sooner the better.
