content with character

portraits with heart

southern california commercial photography studio

Black background with the words 'Good Vibes Only' written in elegant cursive, with the phrase 'Good Vibes' in a rust color and 'Only' in black.

With over a decade of experience, SoCal native Katelin Wallace brings commercial and portrait photography to life at The Salty Dog Studio, before heading home to her husband, three daughters, and pup, Captain.

Hi, I’m Katelin

I’m a SoCal native, a Fine Art Photography graduate, and a photographer who has spent over a decade perfecting my signature look. I founded The Salty Dog Studio in Costa Mesa to capture content with character—whether that’s a striking commercial campaign for your brand, a vibrant family milestone, or a soulful pet portrait (whiskers and all!).

Our oceanfront studio is built for creativity, culture, and connection. When I'm not behind the lens, I’m running around with my husband, our three daughters and our beloved pup.

Grab a cup of coffee and let’s collaborate—I can't wait to see you in the studio!

A woman in a pink dress holding a camera, smiling, standing in front of a checkered wall background.

 What We Do

A small brown dog with large eyes and floppy ears, sitting on a white platform against a colorful background of neon pink, yellow, blue, and orange post-it notes. The dog is wearing a yellow collar with a purple leash attached, and there are small gold tags hanging from it.
Close-up of a gray cat with bright green eyes against a light yellow background.
Young girl with brown hair wearing a pink and orange plaid dress, sitting on a wooden block, smiling and tilting her head to the side, against a beige background.

COMMERCIAL

They’re more than just pets—they’re family. Whether your pup is a natural performer or a little camera-shy, we know exactly how to capture their unique quirks, soulful eyes, and favorite expressions. Come visit our Costa Mesa studio and let’s create art of the ones you love most.

PET PORTRAITS

From dynamic lifestyle campaigns to clean product imagery, we create high-impact, professional visuals that showcase your brand’s personality. We know how to wrangle the talent (peanut butter spoon included) to deliver the "wow factor" your brand needs to stand out in a crowded market.

FAMILY & KIDS

Kids grow up fast, and family life is beautifully chaotic. We skip the rigid, forced smiles to capture the genuine laughter, windswept hair, and joyful energy of your family. Whether in our coastal studio or out on location, we create relaxed, vibrant portraits you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Woman lying upside down on a red sofa, with her head on the floor and her legs raised against the wall. She is smiling, wearing a leopard print coat, ripped jeans, and red shoes. There are two dogs resting on the sofa beside her, one as a Husky mix and the other as a Labrador mix. The room has a teal plant and a small succulent on a side table.
Black background with pink cursive text that reads "You".

Is your pet the next big thing?

The Salty Dog Studio is regularly casting dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds for commercial and lifestyle brand shoots. Introduce us to your favorite four-legged model by filling out the application form below!

A brown dog with a white patch on its chest, wearing a pink and white plaid collar, sitting against a plain beige background.
A small tan and white dog with floppy ears, wearing a teal and pink harness, sitting against a plain beige background.
Become A Pet Model
A Bernese Mountain Dog lying down against a plain beige background. The dog has a happy expression with its tongue out and wears a yellow harness. In front of the dog, there is a pink square dog tag, a yellow leash, and an assortment of colorful dog accessories.

From Concept

To Captured

Producing a commercial shoot with moving parts (and moving paws) can be daunting. We handle the heavy lifting from start to finish—managing everything from creative direction, location scouting, and talent wrangling to high-end photography and post-production. Combining technical expertise with a relaxed, highly efficient studio environment, we deliver a premium asset library tailored perfectly to your brand guidelines. You bring the vision; we handle the execution.

Contact Us

670 W 17th St. Unit G3

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Map of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, California, showing landmarks such as 16th Street Beach, Newport Marina, Balboa Island, South Coast Plaza, Fairview Park, The Salty Dog Studio, The Lab Anti-Mall, and streets including Harbor Blvd., Victoria St., W. 177th St., and roads 55 and 73.