I absolutely loved working with this artistic couple at the cactus gardens in Balboa Park.
It was my first time shooting there and I am so happy I have discovered that amazing location! It was perfect for the style of this engagement session and I loved the photos we got!
Here are a few of my favorite images….feel free to pin or leave a comment, we’d love to hear from you!
Planning your own photos? Lets chat!
Welcome
Take a look around, and click here to get in touch with me about your own photos!
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
#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
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
family
maternity
newborn
senior
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.
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
#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
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
