Besame Photography, San Diego

Although Dianna Ippolito of Bésame Photography is a San Diego native, it was in Europe where she truly honed her craft. After graduating from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, she found herself traveling through the streets of Paris and the watery canals of Venice, snapping shots of passersby, buildings, and landscapes in search of Europe's romantic essence. Since returning to the States, she has featured much of this work in exhibitions across California, and carried that romantic essence with her into all her shoots.

More than 20 years into her career, Dianna knows better than to be a control freak. When snapping photos, she allows brides, infants, and stone-jawed bodyguards to express their emotions naturally, so that every shot feels spontaneous and genuine. She then immortalizes these images in soft, pastel hues or classic black-and-white.