Real moments. Honestly told.
Never forget what it was like.
Wesley D Photography Family Photographer · Orange County
Family photography around Orange County. Mostly outside, mostly around golden hour, and mostly while your kids are busy doing something nobody planned.
45 Five-Star Reviews on GoogleNo Travel Fee to Los Angeles
Book Your SessionSix Weekend Dates · 2026
The Weekend Matinee.
Fifteen minutes, twenty-five photos, one family at a time. For those fifteen minutes I'm the guy on the tarmac waving the batons and you just follow me. Six weekend dates at three spots I keep going back to, September 19 through December 5.
See the Dates
About Daniel
Photos that feel
like your actual family.
Hey, I'm Daniel Wesley. I photograph families in a way that's easy, natural and actually fun for your kids, which mostly means I'm willing to look ridiculous.
I come from a family of elementary school teachers, so connecting with kids and following their energy comes pretty naturally. At family gatherings I was always the one who stayed at the table with the women and the little ones instead of heading out to the grill, so this is familiar ground. I'll give you gentle direction and a few prompts to work with, but the goal is always real moments and real connection, in a session that feels a lot more like play than work.
Most parents show up a little unsure, and leave saying, “That was way easier than we expected.”
Get to Know MeMeet the Team
NoodlesEditor in Chief
He has strong opinions about who makes the cut, so make sure you read your session guide!
Samanthafrom Accounting
Ask when your deposit is due and she'll tell you right meow.
Kind Words
Daniel has a great eye and knew exactly how to guide us without over-directing, so nothing felt stiff or overly posed. He let us be ourselves, and the photos reflect that. If you're looking for someone who knows what they're doing but also knows how to make it fun, Daniel's your guy.
I was blown away by his exceptional photography skills and his natural ability to connect with our kids. He expertly guided our family of six, capturing sweet, candid moments and big smiles from everyone. Initially our kids were a bit shy, but Daniel's gentle approach brought out their natural smiles.
The Sessions
Every family has chapters.
Four of them, roughly in the order life tends to happen. Nobody actually starts at chapter one, and you don't have to either. Most families jump in wherever they are right now.
Chapter One · Maternity
Before everything changes.
One of these was a bowl of ramen.
That one happened in the couple's own kitchen, with their dog underfoot and takeout on the counter, and it worked. Golden hour out on a trail works too. Either way I guide you through the whole thing so nobody is left standing there guessing, and your partner, the big kids and the dog are all welcome in it.
Explore Maternity →
Chapter Two · Newborn
The first soft weeks.
The baby runs this one.
I come to your house and use whatever light you already have, so there's no studio to get to and no car seat battle on the way. The baby sets the schedule. If that means we stop for forty minutes and start again, we stop for forty minutes and start again. This is the quietest thing I do, and I've never once been in a hurry at one.
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Chapter Three · Family
A Picture Book, or a Side Quest.
The everyday magic.
The Picture Book is about an hour. You pick the place, the sunset picks the time, and we walk around it. The Side Quest is closer to two hours doing an actual thing: pancakes at your house, hunting for crabs in the tide pools, an entire afternoon of leaping off the couch into a pile of pillows. Neither one is the upgrade. They're two different days.
Explore Family →
Chapter Four · Seniors
The last year at home.
The Main Character, or the Origin Story.
The Main Character is one location, one outfit, one vibe. The Origin Story is multiple locations, outfits and vibes, for a senior who can't narrow it down to one. Bring your style and wear clothes that feel like you, and if there's something you love doing, the Origin Story has room to capture all of it.
Explore Senior Sessions →You Made It To The Bottom
Congratulations, you scrolled.
That's farther than most people get, and I'm oddly touched. Since you're already down here, you may as well tell me what you're planning.
Jump Right Into BookingI usually reply within 24 hours.