Authentic, Timeless Photography for Families Who Value Real Moments
One minute, they’re tiny and holding your hand everywhere you go.
The next, they’re borrowing your shoes and rolling their eyes at your jokes.
Time moves fast, but photography lets you hold onto the moments that matter.
I’m Heather, one of the most trusted Oceanside CA photographers,
creating natural, joyful portraits for families visiting or living in Carlsbad, Encinitas, and all of North County.
Many of my clients come to me looking for an Oceanside photographer who offers a full-service experience—from styling to wall art.
As a North County local, I know the best hidden gems from Oceanside & Carlsbad to San Diego,
the perfect lighting and backgrounds, and how to make your session feel natural and fun.
From planning to finished artwork, I make the process simple, so you can focus on what matters most—
being present with the people you love.
Planning your session? Learn more about my family portrait experience.
Expecting? Check out my natural studio maternity sessions.
Hi, I’m Heather!
I’m based in Oceanside and specialize in capturing family connections with a clean, bright, and natural style. Whether you’re drawn to studio or an outdoor location (I know all the best spots!), my goal is to create images that feel true to you.
As one of the most experienced Oceanside CA photographers, I specialize in creating timeless images for families. I make the process easy and enjoyable, so you can relax and focus on the people who matter most. Let’s create something special together!
Get in touch—I’d love to chat.
testimonials
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS THAT TELL YOUR STORY...
THROUGH NATURAL LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY
Vallentyne Photography is a San Diego-based family photographer specializing in natural, joyful portraits for families in Oceanside, Encinitas, and the North County coastal communities. Whether we’re capturing beach photos in Oceanside, warm golden light in Carlsbad, or timeless portraits in our studio, my sessions are designed to create meaningful art you’ll be proud to display. I offer full-service photography experiences, including custom-designed wall art and high quality albums that celebrate the people you love most.
Full-Service Photography for Families in Oceanside, Carlsbad & Beyond
Vallentyne Photography is a portrait studio in Oceanside, CA, with a newborn studio in Carlsbad, CA, serving North County and San Diego. With 20 years of experience, we specialize in natural, timeless portraits for families, maternity, newborns, and seniors—capturing genuine moments on location or in our beautiful portrait studio.
We’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable. Let’s start with a quick chat about what matters most to you. We’d be honored to create portraits you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Honestly? They barely noticed I was there. So in love!!
Just two people, wildly into each other,
cracking up on the beach like it’s the only place that matters.
10/10 would third wheel again.
#ModernLoveStory #CouplesSession #TheEverydayPortrait #DocumentYourDays #BeachPhotography #ProposalIdeas #SurpriseProposal #BigSurProposal #CarmelByTheSeaProposal #ProposalPlanning #EngagedInBigSur #ProposalInspo #ProposalPhotographer #HowHeAsked #SheSaidYes #EngagementSeason #RomanticProposal #ProposalInspiration #CaliforniaProposalPhotographer #MontereyPhotographer #CarmelProposalPhotographer #BigSurEngagement #CoastalProposal #LuxuryProposal #CreativeProposals #proposal #sunset #love
Did Oceanside get cuter, or am I just noticing more now?
Shot this sweet branding session for @brookes_mind_therapy at one of my favorite coffee spots—and yeah, it’s wild how much this neighborhood has changed. I used to live just around the corner back in college when it was... let’s say, a little rougher around the edges.
Time does its thing. Places evolve.
And I love seeing small businesses thrive in spaces that feel this good.
#BrandingPhotography #OceansideVibes #SmallBusinessLove #ModernBranding #TheEverydayPortrait @communalcoffee #vallentynephotography #oceansidebusinesses #carlsbadbusinesses #sdphotographer #sandiegocalifornia #personalbrandphotography #personalbrandingphotographer #businessphotographer #socalphotographers #sandiegobusinessowners #encinitasbrandingphotographer #sandiegopersonalbranding #sandiegopersonalbrandingphotographer #brandingphotographer #oceansidebrandingphotographer #sandiegolifesylephotos #smallbusinessmarketing #northcountysd #local #localbusiness #carlsbad #oceanside
A wild little laugh, some flying baby limbs, and a dad who’s all in. These are the moments you can’t plan, and honestly, why would you?
#DadLifeUnfiltered #LetThemBeLittle #DocumentYourDays #TheEverydayPortrait #RealLifeCaptured #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #carlsbadphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #encinitasphotographer #lacostaphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiego #carlsbadbeach #carlsbadbeachphotographer #sandiegophotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #carlsbad #lajolla #encinitas #sandiegolifestylephotographer #familybeachphotos #familyphotography #familyphotographer #carlsbadfamily #vallentynephotography #carlsbadcalifornia
#carlsbadphotographer #oceansidecalifornia #oceansidepier #oceansidephotograpapher
Just two people and a whole new chapter rolling in with the tide.
No shoes. No stress.
Just soaking it in before everything changes.
#OceansidePier #MaternitySession #BeachVibesOnly #ModernParenthood #TheEverydayPortrait #vallentynephotography #maternity #maternityphotographer #photography #oceansidematernityphotography #carlsbadmaternityphotographer #encinitasmaternityphotographer #pregnancy #pregnancyphotographer #pregnancyphotography #oceansidepregnancyphotography #carlsbadpregnancyphotographer #encinitaspregnancyphotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #maternityphotoshoot #sandiegomaternityphotographer #delmarmaternityphotographer #oceansidematernityphotographer
I love color… but black and white? It completely took the cake for this session.
There’s just something about it—how it strips everything down to the connection, the emotion, the light.
Black and white portraiture feels timeless in the best way.
It doesn’t follow trends. It doesn’t age. It simply *is.*
For this family, it felt like the perfect fit—simple, honest, and full of feeling.
The kind of portraits that will look just as beautiful in 30 years as they do today.
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#carlsbadfamilyphotographer #carlsbadphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #encinitasphotographer #lacostaphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #sandiego #carlsbadbeach #carlsbadbeachphotographer #sandiegophotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #carlsbad #lajolla #encinitas #sandiegolifestylephotographer #encinitaslife #lajollaphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #familybeachphotos #familyphotography #familyphotographer #carlsbadfamily #vallentynephotography #carlsbadcalifornia
#oceansidecalifornia #oceansidepier #oceansidephotograpapher #blackandwhite #blackandwhiteportraits
When I look at your baby, I don’t see a prop or a pose.
I see the way their fingers stretch when they yawn.
The way they melt into your arms when they’re calm.
The tiny, perfect details that are already changing by the day.
To me, that’s where the beauty is. Natural. Simple. Real.
These aren’t just photos—they’re a way to remember what it felt like in those first quiet days as a family.
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#vallentynephotography #carlsbadnewbornphotographer #petitejoys #sandiegonewbornphotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #newbornphotography #newborn #familyphotography #motherhood #motherhoodrising #newbornsofinstagram #newbornoninstagram #everydaynewborn #love #NewbornShoot #BabyPhotography #BabyLove #NewbornPortraits #NewbornMagic #CuteBaby #SweetBaby #NewbornArt #BabyMoments #TinyMiracle #SleepingBaby #BabySnuggles #NewbornLife #NewbornBliss #BabyBundle #AdorableNewborn
