You’re Going to Want to Remember This
HI, I'M HEATHER
Photographer. Mom. Professional wrangler of distracted husbands, energetic toddlers, and people who swear they're awkward in photos.
For more than 20 years, I've helped families throughout Carlsbad, North County San Diego, and Orange County create photographs that feel natural, connected, and genuinely like them.
Because the best family photos aren't about perfect smiles.
They're about remembering what this season of life actually felt like.
I'm a portrait photographer based in Carlsbad, California, and over the years I've photographed everything from editorial fashion and commercial work to weddings, newborns, seniors, and family portraits.
These days, helping families document their lives in a meaningful way is my favorite part of the job.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY CAN BE THIS EASY
Many families assume the hardest part is the session...
In reality, it's usually everything that comes after.
Choosing images.
Deciding what to print.
Figuring out frame sizes.
Wondering what belongs on the wall and what belongs in an album.
That's why I guide the process from beginning to end.
From planning your session to helping you select artwork for your home,
everything is designed to feel straightforward, relaxed, and enjoyable.
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.
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.
Studio or outdoors?
You don't have to know yet.
My Carlsbad portrait studio is perfect for newborns, milestone sessions, professional headshots, and families who love a clean, timeless look.
If your family feels more at home at the beach, among coastal trails, or exploring one of North County's beautiful outdoor locations, we'll find the perfect setting together.
Whether we're in the studio or chasing sunset light along the coast, the goal is always the same:
Photographs that feel natural and true to your family.
Your photographs deserve
better than a hard drive
One of the things clients tell me most often is:
"I never would have printed these if you hadn't helped me."
They're probably right.
Life gets busy.
That's why I help families turn their favorite photographs into framed artwork, albums, and prints they'll actually enjoy every day.
The framed portrait in the hallway.
The album your kids pull off the shelf.
The photographs that quietly become part of your family's history.
Those are the pieces that matter most.
Let's create something
you'll love looking back on
Whether you're planning family photos, welcoming a new baby, celebrating a senior year, or simply realizing how quickly time is moving,
I'd love to help.
Tell me a little about what you're envisioning.
Vallentyne Photography is a portrait studio in Carlsbad, CA, serving families throughout North County San Diego and surrounding coastal communities.
With 20 years of experience, we specialize in natural, timeless portraits for families, maternity, newborns, and seniors — photographed on location or in our beautiful natural light studio. Our goal is to make the experience feel relaxed, meaningful, and easy from start to finish while creating artwork you’ll love for years to come.
You keep saying you’ll book family photos when you feel more like yourself…
But the truth is—there’s always something. Life is busy. Your body changes. The timing never feels perfect.
And underneath that… it’s not really about the timing. It’s about not wanting to be happy in how you look.
But your kids don’t see any of that. They just see you. The way you hug them, laugh with them, show up for them every day.
If this has been on your heart, maybe this is your sign not to wait another year 🤍
When you work with me, you don’t just get a photographer—you get someone who plans, guides, and creates artwork you’ll love for years. If that’s what you’ve been searching for, let’s start.
For me, photography has never just been about images—it’s about people, relationships, and the stories we share. If that’s what you’d like in your portraits, let’s talk.
At the end of the day, portraits are about people—the ones you love most. If you’d like photos that reflect that love, I’d love to create them for you.
No two families are alike, and no two sessions should be either. That’s why I design each one with your unique story in mind. If you’d like that for your portraits, let’s plan something special.
Families often thank me for making the process so simple and stress-free. That’s exactly how it should feel. If you’d like that kind of experience, let’s chat.
Every stage of life deserves to be remembered—from newborn snuggles to senior year and beyond. If you’d like to capture your family’s journey, I’d love to work with you.
