The San Diego creative community is in mourning after the tragic loss of celebrated lifestyle and music photographer Celina Kenyon, who died in a small plane crash in San Diego alongside Dave Shapiro, Daniel Williams, Kendall Fronter, Emma Huke, and Dominic Damian.
Celina, a 36-year-old gifted visual storyteller known for her ability to capture raw, candid emotion through her lens, was the owner and lead photographer at Celina Kenyon Photography. She was based in Carlsbad but frequently worked between Los Angeles and San Diego, offering her services globally. Her work touched countless lives and brands across both commercial and editorial landscapes.
A proud graduate of Valencia High School and a diploma holder in Professional Photography from the Brooks Institute, Celina grew up in Valencia, California, with a deep love for visual art. Her journey started in front of the camera as a child model, but it was the world behind the lens that ultimately captivated her.
“Being behind the camera has always felt so comfortable,” she once shared in her profile. “When I go to work, it really feels like I’m just making art with friends.”
Celina built her photography business not just through undeniable talent but also through the connections she formed. With a warm and welcoming spirit, she believed in the power of trust and personal relationships, a belief that made her highly sought after by brands and artists alike.
Her commercial portfolio included work for Vans, Ugg, Marvis, Patricia Heaton Home, Francesca’s, JustFab, and more. In the editorial world, she shot for Variety, Paper Magazine, Inked, Rock Sound, Monster Children, and Pump, among others. Her artistic style, rooted in authenticity and human connection, left an indelible mark on both the fashion and music industries.
Friends and colleagues describe Celina as “genuine, soulful, and deeply passionate about her art.” Many in the photography and music communities have taken to social media to mourn her loss and celebrate her legacy.
“Celina wasn’t just a photographer,” said a longtime friend and collaborator. “She had a way of making you feel seen, understood, and valued. She didn’t just capture moments — she captured energy, stories, and hearts.”
Celina’s death, alongside five others in the crash, has left a void not just in her industry, but in the lives of those who were lucky enough to know her.
She is remembered not only for her immense talent, but for her kindness, generosity, and the way she made her clients — many of whom became friends — feel truly special.
As the artistic world grapples with this loss, tributes continue to pour in. An outpouring of grief and love across platforms reminds us that Celina Kenyon was more than a photographer. She was a connector, a friend, an artist — and her spirit will live on through the images and memories she so beautifully left behind.