North County’s best for over a decade — from newborn to full grown and every stage in between.
Luxury Maternity, Newborn, Family, Senior, & Personal Branding Photography in Oceanside, California.
Serving families throughout North County San Diego.
As an experienced Oceanside CA photographer, we specialize in timeless portraits + custom printed photography, designed beautifully for your home.
Get in touch—I’d love to plan your session
Serving Oceanside, CA & surrounding locations
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.
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.
The Art of Being Taken Care Of
Step One: It begins with your story.
Before the camera ever comes out, we talk. About your family. About this season of life. About what feels meaningful right now — and how you want to remember it.
Step Two: Styling & Vision.
Together, we choose what to wear, where to photograph, and how your portraits will live in your home. Every detail is considered — from color harmony to wall placement — so everything feels cohesive and timeless.
Step Three: The Session.
You don’t need to know what to do. I guide you gently into natural movement and connection, creating images that feel effortless and real. You simply show up and love on your people.
Step Four: The Reveal.
This is where the magic comes to life. Seeing your story beautifully edited and thoughtfully presented for the first time — it’s emotional, powerful, unforgettable.
Step Five: Bringing It Home.
Your images don’t stay on a screen. They are crafted into heirloom albums, framed artwork, and tangible pieces you can hold — placed into your hands and onto your walls, where they belong.
Because being taken care of isn’t just about the session.
It’s about knowing your family’s story is preserved with intention — from the first conversation to the final installation.
Heather
Vallentyne Photography
#CarlsbadPhotographer #OceansidePhotographer #NorthCountySanDiego #LuxuryFamilyPhotography #HeirloomPortraits #FullServicePhotography #WallArtDesign #FamilyLegacy
You won’t remember the exact shade of their newborn hair.
Or the way their little brow furrowed while they slept.
Or how impossibly small they felt in your arms.
But your photographs will.
They will be tangible.
Safe from fading.
Safe from being lost on a hard drive or buried in a cloud somewhere.
This is why we create art.
Heirloom albums with thick, beautiful pages — storybooks you’ll pull from the shelf years from now. Wall portraits that quietly remind your children, every single day, that they are deeply loved.
Each piece is crafted with archival materials — not just for beauty, but for permanence. Designed to last for generations.
Because preserving your story isn’t just about today.
It’s a promise to your children that this fleeting, sacred season of being held and cherished will never truly disappear.
These moments matter.
And your story deserves to be preserved with intention.
Heather
Vallentyne Photography
#CarlsbadPhotographer #OceansidePhotographer #NorthCountySanDiego #HeirloomAlbums #LuxuryFamilyPhotography #NewbornPhotography #FamilyLegacy #PrintedMemories
Imagine a photo session where you feel completely taken care of.
Where you’re not worrying about what to wear.
Not wondering what to do with your hands.
Not stressed about what happens after.
Just present. With your people. 🤍
I believe your family’s story deserves to be told with intention and care —
not just for a fleeting Instagram post,
but for a lifetime.
My role is more than simply taking photographs.
I guide you through every step — from planning and styling to selecting the images that belong on your walls. I help you turn moments into finished artwork that lives in your home and becomes part of your family history.
Because these seasons don’t stay the same.
But the way you preserve them? That lasts.
If you’ve been thinking about documenting this chapter of your life, I’d love to create something meaningful with you.
Heather - Vallentyne Photography
#CarlsbadPhotographer #OceansidePhotographer #NorthCountySanDiego #FamilyPortraits #MaternityPhotography #NewbornPhotography #HeirloomPortraits #WallArtForYourHome #sandiegophotographer #love
So many families tell me they dread planning a photo session. My job is to take the stress away so you can just enjoy the experience. If that sounds like what you need, let’s chat.
Your portraits should feel like you—whether that means a beach sunset, a mountain trail, or a simple studio backdrop. If you’d like help deciding, I’m here to guide you.
As a mom and a photographer, I know how quickly the seasons of life pass. That’s why I create portraits that will matter just as much decades from now. Want to start planning? Reach out anytime.
