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!

Welcome

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It's been such an amazing summer filled with truly special photo sessions and so many people I got to meet and connect with! 
Can't believe we're already rolling into fall, and I am so looking forward to all the special families I will work with this holiday season! If you're thinking about doing photos, get in touch soon because dates are already booking fast and I would love to work with you! xoxo, Heather 

#carlsbadphotographer #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #love #carlsbad #carlsbadvillage
“The best days of your life are not just ahead—they’re happening right now, in every moment you choose to be present and grateful for what you have.”♥️
No rules, no stress, just your favorite location -and a lot of fun on our senior session. 

Confident. Calm. Completely herself.

Senior year, but make it golden. 🌞🌊

#SeniorPortraits #CarlsbadPhotographer #OceansideSeniorPhotos #BeachPortraits #ClassOf2026 #ModernSeniorStyle #NaturalLightPhotography #SoCalSenior
These are the moments that make up a lifetime.

The kind you don’t plan. The kind you can’t pose.
Just a little girl chasing the grandpa who makes her laugh the hardest.⁠
⁠
This is what real memories look like—movement, joy, love.
The way he turns to let her catch up.
The way she thinks he’s the most fun person on the planet.⁠
⁠
It’s not perfect lighting or perfect stillness…
It’s perfect *connection.*⁠

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*
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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⁣
⁣ #carlsbadphotographer⁣ #oceansideca⁣lifornia⁣ #oceansidepier⁣⁣ #oceansidephotograpapher⁣⁣
This moment right here: sunshine on their faces, love in the air, and a baby on the way 🌿✨
Big brother is ready (with sidekick pup, of course), and this growing crew couldn’t be sweeter.
There’s something about maternity sessions in open fields… time slows down, and the joy feels extra real.

#MaternityPhotosCarlsbad #GrowingFamilyLove #CarlsbadPhotographer #SunlitMemories #BigBrotherVibes #DogApproved #OceansideFamilyPhotography #BabyOnTheWay

 

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.

It's been such an amazing summer filled with truly special photo sessions and so many people I got to meet and connect with! 
Can't believe we're already rolling into fall, and I am so looking forward to all the special families I will work with this holiday season! If you're thinking about doing photos, get in touch soon because dates are already booking fast and I would love to work with you! xoxo, Heather 

#carlsbadphotographer #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #love #carlsbad #carlsbadvillage
“The best days of your life are not just ahead—they’re happening right now, in every moment you choose to be present and grateful for what you have.”♥️
No rules, no stress, just your favorite location -and a lot of fun on our senior session. 

Confident. Calm. Completely herself.

Senior year, but make it golden. 🌞🌊

#SeniorPortraits #CarlsbadPhotographer #OceansideSeniorPhotos #BeachPortraits #ClassOf2026 #ModernSeniorStyle #NaturalLightPhotography #SoCalSenior
These are the moments that make up a lifetime.

The kind you don’t plan. The kind you can’t pose.
Just a little girl chasing the grandpa who makes her laugh the hardest.⁠
⁠
This is what real memories look like—movement, joy, love.
The way he turns to let her catch up.
The way she thinks he’s the most fun person on the planet.⁠
⁠
It’s not perfect lighting or perfect stillness…
It’s perfect *connection.*⁠

*
*
*
*
*
#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⁣
⁣ #carlsbadphotographer⁣ #oceansideca⁣lifornia⁣ #oceansidepier⁣⁣ #oceansidephotograpapher⁣⁣
This moment right here: sunshine on their faces, love in the air, and a baby on the way 🌿✨
Big brother is ready (with sidekick pup, of course), and this growing crew couldn’t be sweeter.
There’s something about maternity sessions in open fields… time slows down, and the joy feels extra real.

#MaternityPhotosCarlsbad #GrowingFamilyLove #CarlsbadPhotographer #SunlitMemories #BigBrotherVibes #DogApproved #OceansideFamilyPhotography #BabyOnTheWay

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california