Meet Cary Pennington
Family, Headshot & Branding Photography in San Diego

I grew up surrounded by two things—guitars and cameras. My dad always had them around, and while music was my first love, photography eventually found its way into my life in the most meaningful way.

In my twenties, I realized how powerful a single photo could be. Looking back at candid images my father had taken of our family, I saw how they held memories and emotions in a way nothing else could. That discovery sparked something in me, and I picked up a camera to start capturing the world around me.

What began with street scenes and snapshots of my girlfriend (now wife of nearly 30 years) quickly turned into a passion I couldn’t ignore. I practiced, learned everything I could about lighting and storytelling, and eventually found myself photographing weddings, families, and milestones. Capturing families and their connections became especially meaningful—it’s where I saw photography’s true power to preserve love and emotion. By 2005, I had left my day job to pursue photography full-time.

Over the years, I’ve photographed countless families and weddings, helping people capture meaningful moments that last a lifetime. In 2018, I began focusing on professional headshots and personal branding photography, and today I specialize in headshots, branding, and family portraits, while still offering weddings and other special occasions.

With more than 20 years of experience, I’ve worked with people from every background—executives, entrepreneurs, actors, families, and business owners—helping them feel confident and natural in front of the camera. Whether you need updated professional headshots for LinkedIn or corporate profiles, a branding photography session that elevates your business, or timeless family portraits, my process is always relaxed and guided so you never have to worry about “what to do.” Each session is designed to capture authentic moments while highlighting your personality, professionalism, and connection with others.​​