You’re Going to Want to Remember This.
One day, these messy, love-filled, chaotic moments will be the ones you miss most.
Let’s capture them before they slip away.
Hey, I’m Heather- Nice to meet you!
Like you, I know what it’s like to schedule a family session, only to end up with cranky kids and a snack emergency five minutes in.
Don’t worry—I’ve got you.
For over 20 years, I’ve been helping families, seniors, and new parents capture real, heartfelt moments.
—whether in my clean & modern studio or a beautiful outdoor location of your choice.
I don’t do stiff, awkward poses—
Instead, I guide you naturally,
so your photos feel like you.
Think your kids won’t sit still?
No Problem.
Some of the best photos come from the giggles, wobbly toddler runs, and those little hands reaching for yours.
My job is to make the process easy, relaxed, and even fun—so you can actually enjoy the moment.
What You Can Expect:
• An easy, full-service experience
From planning to final artwork, I handle it all.
• Studio or location sessions
Choose between a studio setting or a beautiful outdoor location.
• Guided posing (but not too much)
No idea what to do with your hands? I’ve got you.
• A photographer for all stages
Many of my clients come back year after year, and I love watching their families grow.
Your story is unfolding every day—
let’s capture it beautifully.
I work with families all over North County San Diego and love being a family photographer in Encinitas, Carl sbad, and Oceanside.
Reach out today, and let’s make it happen!
families
Colorful, Sweet & Organic
I'm honored to help you create memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. These sessions are so much fun! Your only job is to be yourself, laugh a lot and let me create photos you’ll love forever. I am a big director so I will be guiding you every step of the way. Portraits are all about relationships and I love to show that in my images. As a mom of two boys myself, I use my motherly intuition and it has been called "infinite patience" ;) to work with your family on creating images that represent the deep connection you have together. My job isn't done until your portraits are beautifully displayed in your home. I will help you from start to finish choosing your favorites to print after our session.
maternity
Empowered, Beautiful & Limitless
Nothing can let you relive your pregnancy like pictures. A maternity photo shoot will give you the chance to capture this priceless moment and look back on it time and time again. Not only does a maternity photo shoot provide you with precious memories, but one day your baby will love getting the chance to catch a glimpse of their life on the other side. A maternity photo shoot is a great way for you to feel beautiful and own that baby bump. In the meantime, you will also be capturing precious memories that will last a lifetime. You should look back on these photos with pride and a sense of accomplishment. You grew a human, Mama! Not everyone has the honor of such an experience!
newborns
Innocence, Sweetness, & Connection
My newborn sessions focus on the family interaction and connection in your family when you bring your baby home. My sessions are in your home, relaxed, time efficient, and they result in a gallery full of beautiful moments captured that tell the story of this time. I practice what I call natural "Baby Led Posing." This means that I don't ever put a baby in a flower pot. :) I think babies are beautiful as they are. The natural unfolding of a newborn's limbs when the stretch, the way they curl up when placed on their belly for a moment, the way they look when cozily swaddled, all of that is so simple and beautiful to me. This is how I remember my babies, and that is how I photograph them.
weddings
Romantic, Elegant & Authentic
I love weddings because each one is unique! There are so many important elements, and I transition between portraits, photojournalism, and details throughout the day to create well balanced coverage that tells the whole story. I always incorporate natural and organic elements into my photography that will reflect your wedding. I am primarily a natural light photographer, but I also have years of studio experience that allows me to find beautiful light in any situation.
couples
Joyful, Fresh & Natural
I love capturing couples in all stages of their journey—whether you're engaged, celebrating an anniversary, planning a surprise proposal, or simply wanting to document your love as it is right now.You’ll spend a lifetime together, but this season—right now—is something special.
A couples session isn’t just about photos; it’s about creating something meaningful, and artwork that brings you back to this chapter of your love story every single day.
branding
Personal Branding Photography
Not only do I love doing photography, I love doing business. Systems and marketing plans are one of my favorite topics! I know how important it is to communicate your worth at a glance. This is why my service will take your business to the next level. The images we create together will launch your brand to the next level while making your life easier by attracting the right clients to your company. I can't think of anything more fundamentally important to a business than that. This is a wise investment with a brilliant return.
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.
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
No awkward poses. I promise, only real beautiful moments.
Because you don’t need to “perform” to look amazing in your photos.
You just need to be you.
Whether that’s quiet and thoughtful or bold and full of energy—I’ll guide you every step of the way so it feels natural, never forced.
No cheesy backdrops. No uncomfortable poses. Just real, relaxed moments that feel like you, captured beautifully.
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#vallentynephotography #sandiegoseniorphotographer #seniorphotos #seniorphotography #carlsbadseniorphotographer #encinitasseniorphotographer #seniorologie #sandiegoportraitphotographer #sandiegophotographer #carlsbadphotographer #temeculaseniorphotographer #seniorpictures #beachseniorpictures #lajollaseniorphotographer #ranchosantafeseniorphotographer #carlsbadsenior #sandiegoseniorsession #carlsbadhighschoolsenior #seniorstyle #csusmgrad #sanmarcosseniorphotographer #collegegrad #seniorstyleguide #sandiegophotographers #sandiegobeachphotographer #beachphotoshoot #seniorportraits #cathedralcatholichighschool
The best thing about memories is making them…
running wild, laughing loud, and loving big.
No script, just joy — and maybe a little sand. 🌞
#Love #portrait #family #familytime #beach #sunset #carlsbad #summer
There’s something beautiful about a proposal that happens in a place you love. It becomes more than a memory—it becomes *yours.*
The spot where it all began.
The day everything shifted in the best possible way.
So grateful I got to be there to witness it.
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#ProposalIdeas #SurpriseProposal #BigSurProposal #CarmelByTheSeaProposal #ProposalPlanning #EngagedInBigSur #ProposalInspo #ProposalPhotographer #HowHeAsked #SheSaidYes #EngagementSeason #RomanticProposal #ProposalInspiration #CaliforniaProposalPhotographer #MontereyPhotographer #CarmelProposalPhotographer #BigSurEngagement #CoastalProposal #LuxuryProposal #CreativeProposals #proposal #sunset #love #anniversary #happyanniversary #grateful #thankful #blessed
