Beach Shoot San Diego

I bought a deal to do a photo shoot for my mom’s 60^th birthday; which I was super excited about. Until I realized the scam they are running.
I purchased a deal through LivingSocial ($ 99), the deal did NOT state that they will only accept your business if you purchase over $ 1,500 in products. Which I only learned after they wasted an hour of my time going through their «consultation».
It was indicated to me that «we ask our clients to be comfortable spending between $ 1,500 and $ 1,700» (a direct quote) when I indicated I was not comfortable with that I was told they would issue me a full refund because «we take care of our clients». By not honoring their advertisements apparently.
I was told there is «no way to share this policy on LivingSocial» and I indicated that there is absolutely a way, all you have to do is state that in the disclosures. I was then told «no one would purchase it if we did that».
Of course they wouldn’t. That is the entire point. They wasted my
Their prices are triple and sometimes quadruple that you would be able to get elsewhere. Ex: selling a basic photobook for over $ 1,000, a 3×3 photobook for about $ 400, wall art at even more absurd prices. Apparently the prices have gone up since previous reviews. Or maybe these are special rip-​offs for people who purchase through living social/​groupon.
They pretend to offer unique or better quality products than you can get elsewhere, but frankly that is not true. Save yourself the time and money. Go to a photographer that doesn’t try to rip you off and purchase the digital prints and use shutterfly (they offer all the same services and more) for a very small fraction of the price.
My advice is save yourself the headache and being treated like a moron. He basically blamed me for the entire problem by saying some clients call and confirm they are not going to be ripped off before they purchase the deal. Basically implying it was my fault that they did not include this information, even in the fine print.
They are knowingly deceiving potential customers.
If you are rich and have money to burn, this is the place for you. Otherwise stay clear! I happen to have the money to do this, if I had wanted to. But I was so pissed about their deceitful practices that I opted for the refund. Most people on living social probably don’t have an extra $ 1,500 or more to throw away because they were deceived.
All you had to do is state this information in the «special». #badbusiness

Our family had a awesome experience with Megan and Ren yesterday. My husband, 2 kids (7 & 4 years) and I all had a wonderful time. The kids haven’t stopped talking about it! Megan was wonderful with them and us. We all felt relaxed and comfortable from the photos on the beach, to the kayaking, to the fun with the marine life. Megan and Ren went out of their way to get the best pictures and make sure we were all enjoying the experience. I highly recommend them and can’t wait to share the photographs with family and friends. Speaking of the photographs, we were able to preview them right after the trip and were so pleased. They are beautiful and really fun. These will easily be the best and most unique pictures we have as a family — the pictures of the kids are priceless! Thanks again Megan, it was truly a pleasure and we can hardly wait to get the photographs!
P. S. Thank you to Daniel for the follow up phone call and congratulations on the birth of your baby boy — what a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Purchased a voucher from Living Social which includes the kayak adventure along with one picture from the photo shoot. At first it was a bit confusing because we had thought the shoot was going to be somewhere in San Diego, but was rather held in Laguna Beach. We were slightly uneasy at the fact that the website says San Diego, but was held in Laguna, but our uneasiness was lifted once we started our adventure.
Daniel was very kind and entertaining and we had absolutely no problem with him. Although the distance we traveled was a bit far, it was definitely a great workout and experience! We did our shoot along with another couple so it wasn’t just an awkward shoot between us and the photographer. We took numerous pictures in front of sea lions (which was incredible), and a couple’s shoot on a private and deserted beach. Daniel was great at directions and helped us when ever he saw we were veering in the wrong direction. All in all the actual kayaking adventure was a wonderful experience and would definitely do it again.
Now to the pictures. The pictures came out unbelievable and he also showed us a couple tricks that he does to enhance the pictures. Once he had finished, he printed out the one picture that we wanted and started his sales pitch. Like others have stated, he does try and get you to purchase the high res photos instead of the low res web photos. But he does not pressure you to the point where it is uncomfortable. He even offers a deal if both couples purchase the high res photos which was amazing. After looking at the unbelievable detail that we had noticed in the picture he had printed, there was no arguing that we wanted the high res photos. He also made a GREAT point in which he said, how often are we going to be photographed by someone who specializes in water and kayaking? With that being said along with the detail and beauty we had seen in the pictures, we had no problem paying for hi res photos.
All in all, the experience was great and the pictures were worth it. I have already recommended Daniel to others.

Pros: cheap initial cost (kayak rental and a photographer), beautiful scenery obviously, our photographer was great, photos came out nice for the most part
Cons: staff in the office (that is, OTHER than Daniel and our photographer Megan) were ridiculously unprofessional. If I was the owner I would be embarassed to have these people as the «face» of my business. The cost of the photos seems REALLY high… they are shown to you in a dingy office after your kayak trip.
Would not recommend

Daniel, Thats for the great experience. We had an awesome time. Myself and Jennifer will never forget the great time we had. Thank you for capturing the moment. We will charish the pictures forever. Can’t wait to see the final prints. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun time out on the water and to have the entire experience caapture on film forever. Two huge thumbs up!!!
~Jason

My boyfriend and I live in Los Angeles and sometimes dread the daily grind of living and working, so I thought it would be a really fun experience to get away from it all & do this kayaking photo shoot!
I decided not to tell my boyfriend and surprise him instead, and it ended up being the best day we’ve had in a long time!
Daniel was a great photographer to shoot with. He is such a vibrant personality, so much fun & even serenaded us a la Venice gondola-​style! Since it was our first time kayaking, he was also awesome at giving us direction as far as maneuvering the water!
Being a photographer myself, and having done some modeling in the past as well, I will say that Daniel is a natural at setting up «the shot» & directing people. He is definitely one of the most talented photographers I’ve worked with, and shooting in water is not an easy thing. My boyfriend & I were blessed with amazingly beautiful images that we will for sure cherish forever!
In response to the reviews below about the «relentless upselling», my boyfriend and I didn’t see any sales associates while we were there, only the photographer Daniel himself. And we definitely weren’t given any «corporate sales pitch» from anyone. Daniel was nowhere close to being badgering about it; he only told us what the prices and options were without giving us any sense of pressure. To be honest, the prices are pretty spot-​on for the quality of work he gives: the number of hours he spends with you shooting, the time he spends on editing the pictures, and the number of images you receive.

This is a little hidden gem in La Jolla.
Right from the start you need to be aware this is a professional photography company and as such the focus is, and should be, the photography.
It is not a kayak tour company… (but if it was it would be an impressive one as the on the water part is semi-​private or private and as such nice and personalized).
Rather than be your run of the mill, cookie-​cutter studio the people at Beach Shoot have created a great experience, one where you can get lost in the moment and just enjoy yourselves, and then have brilliant prints to enhance the memories.
Whether you’re looking for an engagement shoot, something sweet for your lover or family, or are just looking to document a fun day out — this is the place.
Kayaking in the area is a wonderful experience on its own — the waves roll in nicely but not too heavy as to scare off a novice. The cliffs and sea lions create a great backdrop and exploring the entrance to sea caves is a small rush.
Daniel, the photographer, knows what works yet he isn’t pushy about hitting the mark. You never feel like you are being over directed and importantly he’s a down-​to-​earth guy with a true love for both the ocean and his craft.

Daniel is both an amazing photographer and tour guide. We’ve used him 3 times for kayak/​snorkeling and my husband went lobster hunting with him. All were fantastic experiences. Anytime we have visitors from out of state we take them on a kayak ride with Daniel. He captures all the great moments on your tour.
Will def use him again. Oh, and he knows all the great spots in La Jolla too!

On the morning of my husband’s birthday I discovered a package deal on Living Social for a kayaking photoshoot — a perfect present, I bit. I was hoping it wouldn’t be just a photoshoot with poses out in the water, but some actual kayaking. I didn’t even care about photos so much as kayaking before we went. Surprise! Daniel Wood of Beach Shoot San Diego showed us a really good time doing both.
I have to say, this an idyllic location — we saw pelicans, cormorants, sea lions (we even have a pic with one in back of us!), and two dolphins playing about right near us as we paddled around the bay. Daniel is a multitalented guy with incredible physical stamina. He goes out kayaking with you, helps you take out and take back your kayaking equipment with minimum effort, explains safety points clearly, and has his various shooting areas all down so the photos come effortlessly for you while he’s clicking away — even as he’s treading water!
While this isn’t a kayak tour, as he points out, it’s a great beginning to get you hooked, and a professional photo package to have afterward. (I think it would make a great engagement shoot.) He definitely goes the distance and sets you at ease.
Somewhere toward the end, he announced standing up in his kayak that he was going to SING to us, in Italian. I winced thinking, Oh god. This is going to be excruciating. Guess what?! He’s really quite good!
The photos are like good magazine shots or good wedding shots.
We had a great time and would definitely recommend Daniel.

If possible, I’d give 2.5 stars. 3 feels a bit much, but I hate the look of two.
I purchased a kayaking photo shoot deal through this company, and have pretty mixed feelings about the experience.
The good:
— The deal itself was cheap and fun to do, kayaking photos are a bit more sporty and unique than typical beach shots
— The photographer was willing to be flexible with me to find an afternoon with some sunshine (it had been very overcast lately)
— Throughout the shoot the photographer was friendly and gregarious, good at getting us to open up and have fun.
— We didn’t feel particularly rushed or pushed to move along.
The bad:
— The deal only bought web-​resolution level photos, which is pretty deceptive… worthy or complaining to Living Social/​Groupon about (which I didn’t do)
— At times it seems the photographer wasn’t conscious of finding angles that flatter.
— The photographer was absolutely ruthless in his badgering to upsell the photo packages. It was one of the most awkward and unpleasant sales experiences of my life — and we left feeling taken for a ride… which shouldn’t be the feeling you have walking out the door.
— If I’m remembering this right, we had to sign something that allowed the photographer to use any of our photos for his own marketing use. This should be something we opt into, not are FORCED to do after the sale is made. Some of the moments we felt were somewhat private, or some of the angles not our best… we shouldn’t be made to feel like any/​all of that could be on public display.
So…mixed feelings overall. I did like some of the photos a LOT, and most of the experience was fun… but I went out the door with a bad taste in my mouth, being intensely pressured to spend more money, and with on web-​res quality copies of any photos I didn’t buy extra packages for.

The wife and I had a pleasurable and memorable experience with this studio.
I wasn’t too sure at first about going to a photo shoot at the beach but once we got in the water is was a blast.
Because of the experience and the quality of work produced my wife ordered all the digital prints because of the the fantastic job.
La Jolla cove it self was a breath taking location to shoot, I love moving past the seals and massive kelp plants.
Word of advice if its your first time kayak and the tide is strong don’t go in the cave it may ruin your photo shoot, like it almost did for us.
The photographer was great and the service was even better.

Love the crew at Beach Shoot San Diego. Their excitement for the beach and the outdoors is completely contagious — and their desired to serve their clients through photography is completely evident.
If you want a fun time at the beach, and on the water — and want to have some rad photos of the experience, give these guys a ring.

I have to admit, after reading some negative reviews here, I was very nervous about cashing in our living social voucher last weekend. But I am extremely pleased with the whole experience!
I loved the very intimate feel of the adventure having just gone out with another couple and the photographer, as opposed to the tour groups which seemed just jam packed with people. Our photographer was very helpful and professional and not at all pressed for time which was very comforting.
Everything about the kayak adventure was just a lot of fun and I especially loved the professionalism back in the studio where we we weren’t pressured at all to purchase photo packages.
We received our web photos within a day!

Way disappointed. I bought the deal on LivingSocal. Paid $ 50, was marked down 82% from $ 274, so I’m thinking I shouldn’t pass this adventurous opportunity up. Well I recently called to schedule our shoot and here’s where the up-​selling starts. So basically, the 35 – 55 «downloadable» images are lo-​res, like worse than my phone, AND, they have a watermark. Who in their right mind would EVER pay $ 274 for this service. It’s barely worth it at $ 50. So yeah, totally feels like a bait and switch. They want you to pay another $ 200 for the images, or $ 99 for three hi res images. Are you kidding me?
Here’s the original ad, sure sounded like a good deal until you realize you’re going to get photos advertising their company name:
Peanut butter and jelly, Sunny and Cher, gin and tonic; some things just belong together. How about this for another great pair: beachside adventures and stunning pictures of ‘em. Today’s deal gets you both at 82% off. Drop $ 49 and Beach Shoot San Diego will whisk you away on a kayak trip for two and send along a professional adventure photographer to document the entire magical voyage (a $ 274 value). Your rental gear is arranged, and you’ll also receive 35 – 50 downloadable «Facebook-​ready» images from your adventure. Perfect for couples, the photo shoot begins with some fast and fun portraits on the shore and continues with a scenic kayak jaunt along the beach, through gorgeous caves, and among frolicking sea lions. So grab a friend and get ready — this deal might be for a pair, but there’s no match for the experience.
The fine print (where does it mention water-​marking?):
Appointments are required and subject to availability * Merchant cancellation/​re-​scheduling policy of 24 hours applies; voucher subject to forfeiture * Voucher good for 2 people * Voucher valid for 35 – 50 72 dpi downloadable photos; high-​res photos are available for purchase * Other conditions apply * PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES ON December 13, 2011

Originally my scheduled appointment was around 3 weeks from today. But, unfortunately my grandmother had passed away the night before our appointment. They were SUPER accommodating. Even though my Living Social deal would have expired a week later from our original appointment they told me that they will act as if it would not expire AND they would let us keep the original deposit we made for pictures without penalty for a last minute cancellation. I was even able to hold off making the second appointment for a little over a week.
Yes, the pictures are expensive even with the Living Social deal. However, they are worth it especially if you take a different special deal of buying the package the day you set your appointment. Once you see your pictures you will definitely want to keep them. The day you make your appointment they spell everything out for you over the phone and in an e-​mail. They take a lot of pictures, and you can also ask them if you can do any additional poses you had in mind for even more pictures.
Everything was safe. The location is gorgeous especially during a sunset photo shoot. Our photographer was hilarious as well as knowledgable. Once again, the pictures are gorgeous. Worth every penny.

I purchased the Beach Shoot package through Living Social and the photographer was nice and did a decent job. I was not aware, however, that the package only comes with web-​only low resolution photos (around 700KB) that has the beach shoot’s website watermarked on the images.
It costs $ 200+ to purchase the high resolution images, that you have to purchase separately! What a rip-​off! Like other reviewers have mentioned, they will pressure you relentlessly to purchase their package.

So, we were late for our 1.30 appt from Orange County as traffic moves at 20 miles/​hour, but these guys being awesome, accommodated for a later time slot .
I wanted pics for our blog but seeing how passionate these folks are about what they do, ended up getting got high resolution pictures. Totally worth it. Great job.

Let’s acknowledge the good points:
–The photographs are excellent.
HOWEVER…
–The sales pressure here is downright relentless. I was told IN LENGTH about the photo packages I would want to purchase from the moment I booked my excursion (the call took 35 minutes due to the owner Daniel’s sales pitch). I just wanted a fun kayak ride on my birthday with some nice pictures to keep for the scrapbook (the simple promo-​package). These people wanted to up-​sell me $ 300+ portraits.
–I started feeling sorry for the obviously new employees who were clearly afraid of the abrasive manager who barked at our sales associate whenever she veered from what was absolutely a corporate sales script.
–After we were soul sucked for twenty minutes. The sales associate kindly reminded us that it was customary to leave a gratuity for our photographer. When I asked what the full value of our promo-​package was, she replied «umm one-​hundred-​fifty, NO wait… three-​hundred dollars.» Is this THE PRICE IS RIGHT???
Long & Short… Go anywhere but here.

My husband and I had a blast on our kayaking adventure with Daniel from Beach Shoot San Diego last year! He takes great pictures to capture the moments and is a great instructor for first time kayakers. Ask about their Romance Package… More info here:
Can’t wait to go out again soon!

My boyfriend and I found a great promo on Daily Deals for a Kayak Adventure… of course when I suggested it he thought it was corny and refused to get it and we went on with our day.
To my surprise he purchased it without telling me!
We made our day into La Jolla on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Daniel made our day very special and exciting! Capturing all the moments you always think, «Gee, I wish I had a picture of that!» I’m glad he got my boyfriend to do some poses of what I like to call «romantical» stuff. (Oh, but my boyfriend played nice and was a great sport!)
We sure got a great workout in kayaking out to the caves and got the pictures to prove it!
Daniel was very creative and had tons of great ideas for the photos. The pictures turned out great and we had such a good time! (He even sang to us!)
2 Thumbs up! (If i had more than two thumbs, I’d give Daniel them as well!)