Beach Family Photographs in Carlsbad, California

This beautiful extended family was visiting Carlsbad, California on their annual beach vacation this year! This is the second year I got to work with these lovely people and I always think is such a great idea to do a family portrait while you are on vacation! Family portraits while on a family vacation are a great way to remember your trip, while at the same time taking care of holiday cards, Christmas presents, and building your family album of amazing memories!

If you’re looking for a family photographer in Carlsbad, please get in touch!

What is a great time of day for Beach photos? Sunset is always a favorite but I also love Sunrise. Yup, I said it. This gorgeous Carlsbad, CA beach session was one of my favorite extended families who visit and call me every year, love them! The sunrise colors were soft, pastel, even, and no squinting! I just love the beach at sunrise.

Carlsbad, CA Beach Family PortraitsCarlsbad, CA Beach Family Portraits

Once again, I had the privilege of working with this beautiful, extended family on their annual beach vacation in Carlsbad, California. Our second photo shoot was just as fun as the first. With the ocean breeze in your hair, the soft lull of the waves setting a calming rhythm – this is the perfect backdrop for a family portrait, don’t you agree?
Vacations are a treasure trove of memories, waiting to be captured to remember. And what better way to celebrate these vacations than with a family portrait? It’s almost like bottling up the sunshine, the laughter, the shared stories, and the love that bonds you together and then getting to look at it on your wall at home for the rest of the year when it might be cold and stormy.
Think about it – you’re already together, relaxed and happy. The scene is set, the mood is right, and the smiles are genuine. All it takes is a click to capture that perfect moment in time. A family portrait on vacation does double duty. It not only serves as a vibrant reminder of your trip but also takes care of holiday cards and Christmas presents.
But more than that, it’s a page added to your family album. It’s a story told without words, a testament to the amazing memories you’ve built together as a family. So here’s to love, laughter, and the joy of family vacations, and here’s to the beautiful pictures that tell our story.
How amazing is this photo with these grandparents and all their grandchildren? As an only child with no cousins, I am super impressed and think these kids are the luckiest in the world!

Carlsbad, CA Beach Family PortraitsCarlsbad, CA Beach Family PortraitsCarlsbad, CA Beach Family PortraitsBig extended family get together vacation in Carlsbad with all the grandkids Carlsbad, CA Beach Family PortraitsCarlsbad, CA Beach Family PortraitsCarlsbad, CA Beach Family PortraitsCouple celebrating their anniversary on vacation in Carlsbad Carlsbad, CA Beach Family PortraitsCouple walking on the beach in Carlsbad on vacation

Planning your own photos? Lets chat!

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One minute, you're walking them into kindergarten with a backpack that’s almost bigger than they are… and somehow, you're standing on the beach, watching them get ready to graduate high school.
It goes fast. Too fast.
That’s why senior portraits matter.
Not for the cap and gown—but for who they are right now.
The smile that still looks a little like their five-year-old self.
The confidence that came from years of growing up under your wing.
Let’s capture it—before the next chapter begins.

#seniorportraits #seniorphotographer #seniorszn #classof2026 #classof2027 #carlsbadseniorphotographer #oceansideseniorphotographer #sandiegoseniorphotographer #encinitasseniorphotographer #seniorpictures #seniorphotoshoot #modernsenior #portraitphotographer #carlsbadphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #northcountysandiego #southerncaliforniaphotographer #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #lajollaphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #vallentynephotography #timelessportraiture
Photography isn’t just about capturing moments—it’s about preserving memories. ⁠
⁠
I want you to look back at these photos and remember how it felt to hold your baby, what their giggles sounded like, all the little things!⁠
⁠
Because they're only little once. 💕 ⁠
⁠
Book today! Link in bio.⁠

#newbornphotographer #newbornphotography #carlsbadnewbornphotographer #oceansidenewbornphotographer #sandiegonewbornphotographer #encinitasnewbornphotographer #newbornportraits #newbornsession #newbornphotos #newbornlove #babyphotography #carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #oceansidephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #familyphotographer #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #DocumentYourDays #TheEverydayPortrait
It’s the little things that mean the most. Tiny toes, big milestones.
Those curled-up feet, barely the length of your finger…
One day they’ll be running, climbing, dancing through your home.
But for now—they’re still. New. Perfect.
These are the details you’ll want to remember.
The ones that change too fast. The ones that matter most.

#newbornphotographer #newbornphotography #carlsbadnewbornphotographer #oceansidenewbornphotographer #sandiegonewbornphotographer #encinitasnewbornphotographer #newbornportraits #newbornsession #newbornphotos #newbornlove #babyphotography #carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #oceansidephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #familyphotographer #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #DocumentYourDays #TheEverydayPortrait
I don’t pose newborns in elaborate setups.
Not because there’s anything wrong with that—it’s just not how I see them.
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.

#newbornphotographer #newbornphotography #carlsbadnewbornphotographer #oceansidenewbornphotographer #sandiegonewbornphotographer #encinitasnewbornphotographer #newbornportraits #newbornsession #newbornphotos #newbornlove #babyphotography #carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #oceansidephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #familyphotographer #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #DocumentYourDays #TheEverydayPortrait
Your journey into motherhood is worth celebrating, and maternity photos are a beautiful way to remember this special time. ⁠
⁠
Let’s capture your glow, your strength, and your love in timeless portraits!⁠
⁠
💕 Schedule your session today—link in bio!⁠

#maternityphotographer #maternityphotography #carlsbadmaternityphotographer #oceansidematernityphotographer #sandiegomaternityphotographer #encinitasmaternityphotographer #delmarmaternityphotographer #maternityphotoshoot #pregnancyphotographer #pregnancyphotography #expectingmom #maternitysession #carlsbadphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #beachmaternitysession #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #ModernParenthood #LetThemBeLittle
Just the two of them. A quiet walk on Oceanside Pier. 
It becomes more than a memory—it becomes yours.
The spot where it all began.
The day everything shifted in the best possible way.

#maternityphotographer #maternityphotography #carlsbadmaternityphotographer #oceansidematernityphotographer #sandiegomaternityphotographer #encinitasmaternityphotographer #delmarmaternityphotographer #maternityphotoshoot #pregnancyphotographer #pregnancyphotography #expectingmom #maternitysession #carlsbadphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #beachmaternitysession #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #ModernParenthood #LetThemBeLittle

 

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.

One minute, you're walking them into kindergarten with a backpack that’s almost bigger than they are… and somehow, you're standing on the beach, watching them get ready to graduate high school.
It goes fast. Too fast.
That’s why senior portraits matter.
Not for the cap and gown—but for who they are right now.
The smile that still looks a little like their five-year-old self.
The confidence that came from years of growing up under your wing.
Let’s capture it—before the next chapter begins.

#seniorportraits #seniorphotographer #seniorszn #classof2026 #classof2027 #carlsbadseniorphotographer #oceansideseniorphotographer #sandiegoseniorphotographer #encinitasseniorphotographer #seniorpictures #seniorphotoshoot #modernsenior #portraitphotographer #carlsbadphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #northcountysandiego #southerncaliforniaphotographer #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #lajollaphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #vallentynephotography #timelessportraiture
Photography isn’t just about capturing moments—it’s about preserving memories. ⁠
⁠
I want you to look back at these photos and remember how it felt to hold your baby, what their giggles sounded like, all the little things!⁠
⁠
Because they're only little once. 💕 ⁠
⁠
Book today! Link in bio.⁠

#newbornphotographer #newbornphotography #carlsbadnewbornphotographer #oceansidenewbornphotographer #sandiegonewbornphotographer #encinitasnewbornphotographer #newbornportraits #newbornsession #newbornphotos #newbornlove #babyphotography #carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #oceansidephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #familyphotographer #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #DocumentYourDays #TheEverydayPortrait
It’s the little things that mean the most. Tiny toes, big milestones.
Those curled-up feet, barely the length of your finger…
One day they’ll be running, climbing, dancing through your home.
But for now—they’re still. New. Perfect.
These are the details you’ll want to remember.
The ones that change too fast. The ones that matter most.

#newbornphotographer #newbornphotography #carlsbadnewbornphotographer #oceansidenewbornphotographer #sandiegonewbornphotographer #encinitasnewbornphotographer #newbornportraits #newbornsession #newbornphotos #newbornlove #babyphotography #carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #oceansidephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #familyphotographer #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #DocumentYourDays #TheEverydayPortrait
I don’t pose newborns in elaborate setups.
Not because there’s anything wrong with that—it’s just not how I see them.
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.

#newbornphotographer #newbornphotography #carlsbadnewbornphotographer #oceansidenewbornphotographer #sandiegonewbornphotographer #encinitasnewbornphotographer #newbornportraits #newbornsession #newbornphotos #newbornlove #babyphotography #carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #oceansidephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #familyphotographer #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #DocumentYourDays #TheEverydayPortrait
Your journey into motherhood is worth celebrating, and maternity photos are a beautiful way to remember this special time. ⁠
⁠
Let’s capture your glow, your strength, and your love in timeless portraits!⁠
⁠
💕 Schedule your session today—link in bio!⁠

#maternityphotographer #maternityphotography #carlsbadmaternityphotographer #oceansidematernityphotographer #sandiegomaternityphotographer #encinitasmaternityphotographer #delmarmaternityphotographer #maternityphotoshoot #pregnancyphotographer #pregnancyphotography #expectingmom #maternitysession #carlsbadphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #beachmaternitysession #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #ModernParenthood #LetThemBeLittle
Just the two of them. A quiet walk on Oceanside Pier. 
It becomes more than a memory—it becomes yours.
The spot where it all began.
The day everything shifted in the best possible way.

#maternityphotographer #maternityphotography #carlsbadmaternityphotographer #oceansidematernityphotographer #sandiegomaternityphotographer #encinitasmaternityphotographer #delmarmaternityphotographer #maternityphotoshoot #pregnancyphotographer #pregnancyphotography #expectingmom #maternitysession #carlsbadphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #beachmaternitysession #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #ModernParenthood #LetThemBeLittle

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california