Del Mar Family Portraits | Elegant Wedding at L’Auberge Del Mar

A bride and groom share a kiss under the trees at L'Auberge Resort in Del Mar on their sunny beach wedding day.Miranda & David met online and Miranda knew right away that he was different and special. Even though they lived an hour away from each other, they made it work, seeing each other almost every weekend. Soon David introduced Miranda to his son and from there everything continued to work like clockwork! This couple is so sweet together and it’s wonderful that they found each other! So many of my couples meet online and I really love how many love stories have come out of this modern way of finding someone.

Wedding Venue:
Both the wedding ceremony and reception took place at L’Auberge Del Mar. This is one of my favorite southern California seaside wedding venues. Everything is so organized and the attention to detail is impeccable. Not to mention the delicious food and the unique venue that overlooks the ocean. You really would think that these types of views would be more common in wedding venues but they are actually quite unique! Every single wedding I have shot at L’Auberge in Del Mar, California has been flawless and beautiful, the couple has absolutely nothing to worry about but having a great time with their friends and family on their wedding day!

Star Vendors:
Venue: L’Auberge Del Mar
Coordinator: Catherine Adkins – L’Auberge Del Mar team
Florist: Organic Elements – Sharon Mintz
Ceremony/Cocktail Hour Musicians: The Vintage Strings 
DJ: Entertainment At Large – Mike Hogan
Cake: Sweet Cheeks Baking
Cupcakes: Sprinkles
Videographer: Good Times Productions – Darren Field
Hair & Makeup: Team Nicole
Bridal Gown: The White Dress in Portland, OR – Kitty Chen
Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Sung @ Nordstrom
Vroom & Groomsmen: Mens Wearhouse

My favorite moment:
My favorite moment was the sand ceremony where they incorporated David’s son. I think it is beautiful to make your own traditions! In this day and age of blended families, it is so wonderful to bring the kids into the ceremony so they understand how important and special they are at this moment of change and new beginnings!

What they said about us!
Q. Thank you so much for choosing Vallentyne Photography to photograph your wedding! We always value ways to make our business better so if you have a moment please let us know if there are any ways to improve or specific things you loved!
A. We absolutely loved working with you. Half the time we didn’t even know you were there! The quality of our photos are amazing, just what we were looking for! The shots, the lighting, the colors and our emotions you captured the day of our wedding was everything and more
Q. Was there anything you would change about the process of working with us? Any suggestions for us to improve in the future?
A. Absolutely not. I think you have the flow of your services from beginning to end down just perfect. Was so easy working with you and communicating with you.
Q. Would you recemmend our business to friends and family in the future? Why or why not?
A. Absolutely! You were a pleasure to work with! I wish we lived in the San Diego area so we could utilize your photography services more often for family photos and such.

A bride admires her wedding dress as a child reaches for it in the sunlit doorway at L'Auberge Resort, Del Mar. A white wedding dress with floral embroidery hangs in front of a window at L'Auberge Resort in Del Mar. Sparkly silver high heels, a beaded clutch, and a crucifix with pink flowers—perfect for a Del Mar beach wedding. Three wedding rings rest on a L'Auberge Resort invitation for a romantic Del Mar beach wedding, dated March 31st, 2017. A bridal bouquet with pink and white flowers for a Beach Wedding at L'Auberge Resort, Del Mar. Three boutonnieres included. Two silver rings and a diamond engagement ring rest on a succulent at L'Auberge Resort, amid soft pink flowers. Smiling woman with long, curled blonde hair stands by a door at L'Auberge Resort, wearing a white robe, looking outside. A bridesmaid zips up the bride’s dress; they smile with an older woman in lavender at L'Auberge Resort. A bride in a white strapless gown holds a pink bouquet and smiles at her Beach Wedding at L'Auberge Resort.

Planning your own photos? Lets chat!

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

Welcome

Take a look around, and click here to get in touch with me about your own photos!

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Many of my clients tell me they feel overwhelmed at first—but once we start planning, everything falls into place. If you’d like that reassurance, I’d love to guide you.
I believe the best portraits happen when families feel relaxed and cared for, not rushed or stressed. If you’d like that kind of session, let’s talk.
You look up one day and realize…
they’re not as little as they were.

The way they reach for your hand.
The way they lean into you.
The little things you think you’ll always remember.

But this stage? It moves fast.

And I hear it all the time—
“I kept meaning to book photos… I just never got around to it.”

If this has been on your mind, comment READY and I’ll send you the details 🤍

𝘅𝗼, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀? Let’s talk!
Message me anytime and we’ll hop on a quick call to plan something beautiful.
You’re the one capturing everything.

The first steps.
The little moments.
The way she reaches for your hand.

But when you look back…
you’re not in the frame.

And I hear this all the time—
“I just don’t feel ready yet.”

The truth is, there’s always going to be a reason to wait.
Life doesn’t slow down. Kids don’t pause.

And one day, these photos won’t be about how you looked…
they’ll be about the fact that you were there.

If this has been on your heart, comment READY and I’ll send you the details 🤍
It’s not about you. 

It’s about having a photographer who knows how to see you—how to guide you into natural movement, find the light that flatters you, and create a space where you can actually relax and be yourself.

Because when that happens? You don’t have to “try” to look good. It just shows up.

If you’ve ever looked at photos of yourself and thought, “that doesn’t feel like me,” I promise—it’s not you. It’s the experience you were given.

Let’s change that. Comment with a ♥️ if this is you!
When clients hang their portraits in their homes, that’s when I know we’ve created something lasting. If you’d like artwork for your walls, let’s start planning.
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

A person in a green dress holds soil with a small green plant growing in their cupped hands.

branding

 

Vallentyne Photography is a portrait studio in Oceanside, CA, with a natural light 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.

Many of my clients tell me they feel overwhelmed at first—but once we start planning, everything falls into place. If you’d like that reassurance, I’d love to guide you.
I believe the best portraits happen when families feel relaxed and cared for, not rushed or stressed. If you’d like that kind of session, let’s talk.
You look up one day and realize…
they’re not as little as they were.

The way they reach for your hand.
The way they lean into you.
The little things you think you’ll always remember.

But this stage? It moves fast.

And I hear it all the time—
“I kept meaning to book photos… I just never got around to it.”

If this has been on your mind, comment READY and I’ll send you the details 🤍

𝘅𝗼, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀? Let’s talk!
Message me anytime and we’ll hop on a quick call to plan something beautiful.
You’re the one capturing everything.

The first steps.
The little moments.
The way she reaches for your hand.

But when you look back…
you’re not in the frame.

And I hear this all the time—
“I just don’t feel ready yet.”

The truth is, there’s always going to be a reason to wait.
Life doesn’t slow down. Kids don’t pause.

And one day, these photos won’t be about how you looked…
they’ll be about the fact that you were there.

If this has been on your heart, comment READY and I’ll send you the details 🤍
It’s not about you. 

It’s about having a photographer who knows how to see you—how to guide you into natural movement, find the light that flatters you, and create a space where you can actually relax and be yourself.

Because when that happens? You don’t have to “try” to look good. It just shows up.

If you’ve ever looked at photos of yourself and thought, “that doesn’t feel like me,” I promise—it’s not you. It’s the experience you were given.

Let’s change that. Comment with a ♥️ if this is you!
When clients hang their portraits in their homes, that’s when I know we’ve created something lasting. If you’d like artwork for your walls, let’s start planning.

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

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

located in oceanside, california