Serving Oceanside, CA & surrounding locations
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
testimonials
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.
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.
Your portraits should do more than live on a hard drive—they should be printed, framed, and enjoyed every day. If you’d like help designing artwork for your home, I’d love to guide you.
A little saltwater, a lot of love, and two kids who refuse to stay dry for more than 30 seconds! The kind of session where no one wants it to end because everyone’s having too much fun.
I believe portraits should be simple, natural, and full of love—not stiff or overly posed. If that’s the style you’re looking for, let’s make it happen.
Some families I’ve photographed since before their kids were born. Now those kids are teens. That long-term connection is what makes this work so meaningful. If you’d like that kind of relationship, let’s start today.
What we’re really creating together isn’t just photographs—it’s artwork for your home that reflects the people you love most. If you’d like that for your walls, let’s connect.
When clients tell me they feel comfortable and relaxed during their session, I know I’ve done my job. If you’d like an easy, natural experience, I’d love to work with you.
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
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