Family, Maternity, Newborns & SeniorsPhotographyVallentyne

{santa barbara weekend :part 1: justin and mayumi}

This past weekend I headed up to Santa Barbara to visit friends and do a few photo shoots I have been conceptualizing and thinking about for a while. I absolutely love shooting weddings but when it comes down to it, there is always an important schedule to follow. This is what makes it different from a commercial shoot where I can direct the whole thing according to my shots.

Last summer I shot the wedding of Justin and Mayumi in Carpinteria, California. Justin and I already knew each other and I quickly discovered how sweet and perfect for Justin his fiance Mayumi was. The reception was held at their family’s home on an avocado grove overlooking the ocean. I was completely amazed by the beauty of the area and since we didn’t have time to shoot around the property I already knew I wanted to go back to do another shoot with the couple. Some people call it a “trash the dress shoot”…I am not sure about that name but I absolutely love doing post-wedding photos. These are some of my favorite images from the day!

Planning your own photos? Lets chat!

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Woman in a long red dress stands on a path surrounded by greenery and flowering bushes, smiling at the camera.

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Calm, clear shallow ocean water under a blue sky with Print Shop text in a hexagon in the center.

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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.

6 1

Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18107913730747143

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

#CarlsbadPhotographer #OceansidePhotographer #NorthCountySanDiego #LuxuryFamilyPhotography #HeirloomPortraits #FullServicePhotography #WallArtDesign #FamilyLegacy

16 3

Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18079343192058673

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

11 2

Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18079911146354556

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

13 2

Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18132124168516926

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.

11 1

Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 17874160422517575

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.

6 1

Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18096275060298859

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.

Oceanside California beach family portrait photographer

family

A couple embraces in a sunlit garden; the woman wears a white dress and appears to be pregnant.

maternity

Newborn baby sleeping peacefully on a white bed, wearing a white diaper, with arms curled near face.

newborn

Woman in a white dress walks barefoot on a sandy beach, looking back toward the camera near the shoreline.

senior

A smiling couple stands on the beach, embracing, with a pier stretching into the ocean behind them.

couples

branding

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.

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.

6 1

Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18107913730747143

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

#CarlsbadPhotographer #OceansidePhotographer #NorthCountySanDiego #LuxuryFamilyPhotography #HeirloomPortraits #FullServicePhotography #WallArtDesign #FamilyLegacy

16 3

Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18079343192058673

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

11 2

Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18079911146354556

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

13 2

Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18132124168516926

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.

11 1

Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 17874160422517575

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.

6 1

Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18096275060298859

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.

follow @vallentynephotography

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

A large, green, uppercase letter V on a white background.

located in oceanside, california