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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There’s something timeless about a field at sunset. A family gathered close, waiting for the little one who will soon make them more. These quiet moments—bare feet in the grass, arms around each other, the soft curve of new life—are the kind of memories that become heirlooms.

#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
"Their laughter doesn't just fill the room- it fills the years with light."

#SimpleJoys #ChildhoodMagic #LaughterEchoes
#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
3/3 – The beauty of extended family portraits is in the little in-between moments—the ones you might never see again.

Grandparents hugging the littles tight, cousins whispering secrets, a hand on a shoulder during a laugh…these are the split-seconds that become irreplaceable when you look back.

That’s why I believe extended family portraits are one of the most meaningful investments you can make. They freeze time—because none of us know when these exact faces will be together again. ✨

#carlsbadphotographer #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #lajollaphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #carlsbadbeachphotographer #carlsbadbeach #carlsbadvillage #sandiegolifestylephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #familyphotographer #familyphotography #familybeachphotos #carlsbadfamily #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #oceansidepier #vallentynephotography #TheEverydayPortrait #DocumentYourDays #LetThemBeLittle
1/3 – There’s nothing quite like the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. 💕 These are the portraits that bring tears—tiny hands holding onto weathered ones, stories being passed down in smiles and laughter, the joy of generations side by side.

These images are more than just photographs—they’re treasures. Because one day, they’ll mean even more than we can imagine right now.

Next up: how extended family sessions also give each individual family their time to shine.

#VallentynePhotography #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidefamilyphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #delmarfamilyphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #ranchosantafefamilyphotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #carlsbadphotographer #oceansidephotographer #encinitasphotographer #delmarphotographer #lajollaphotographer #ranchosantafephotographer #beachfamilyphotos #familyphotographer #familyphotography #lifestylefamilyphotography #joyfulfamilyphotos #naturalfamilyphotography #portraitphotographer #sandiegolifestylephotographer #northcountysandiego #southerncaliforniaphotographer #vallentynephotography #timelessportraiture
Pregnancy is a special time worth capturing in all its beauty. To help you get the most out of your maternity session, here are a few tips!⁠
⁠
• Timing: Schedule your session when you’re between 29–36 weeks along. This window lets your bump shine without risking an early arrival that could make you miss your shoot!⁠
⁠
• Outfit Choices: Avoid wearing anything too tight on your skin beforehand—think elastic bands, waistbands, or anything that might leave a mark. Keeping your skin smooth will help us capture flawless photos!⁠
⁠
• Show Off That Bump: Tighter clothing tends to work best in photos, highlighting that beautiful belly. Loose clothing can hide your shape, so bring your favorite fitted pieces!⁠
⁠
• Go Bold: Embrace the studio setting and don’t be afraid to show a little skin! Tasteful nude and semi-nude shots can be stunning, and I provide soft draping fabric for a timeless look.⁠
⁠
• Family Welcome: Yes! Partners, kids, and even pets can join in these photos to celebrate this moment with you. After all, these portraits are about celebrating family! 💕⁠
⁠
Ready to book your maternity session? Click the link in my bio to schedule!⁠

#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.

There’s something timeless about a field at sunset. A family gathered close, waiting for the little one who will soon make them more. These quiet moments—bare feet in the grass, arms around each other, the soft curve of new life—are the kind of memories that become heirlooms.

#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
"Their laughter doesn't just fill the room- it fills the years with light."

#SimpleJoys #ChildhoodMagic #LaughterEchoes
#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
3/3 – The beauty of extended family portraits is in the little in-between moments—the ones you might never see again.

Grandparents hugging the littles tight, cousins whispering secrets, a hand on a shoulder during a laugh…these are the split-seconds that become irreplaceable when you look back.

That’s why I believe extended family portraits are one of the most meaningful investments you can make. They freeze time—because none of us know when these exact faces will be together again. ✨

#carlsbadphotographer #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #lajollaphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #carlsbadbeachphotographer #carlsbadbeach #carlsbadvillage #sandiegolifestylephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #familyphotographer #familyphotography #familybeachphotos #carlsbadfamily #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #oceansidepier #vallentynephotography #TheEverydayPortrait #DocumentYourDays #LetThemBeLittle
1/3 – There’s nothing quite like the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. 💕 These are the portraits that bring tears—tiny hands holding onto weathered ones, stories being passed down in smiles and laughter, the joy of generations side by side.

These images are more than just photographs—they’re treasures. Because one day, they’ll mean even more than we can imagine right now.

Next up: how extended family sessions also give each individual family their time to shine.

#VallentynePhotography #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidefamilyphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #delmarfamilyphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #ranchosantafefamilyphotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #carlsbadphotographer #oceansidephotographer #encinitasphotographer #delmarphotographer #lajollaphotographer #ranchosantafephotographer #beachfamilyphotos #familyphotographer #familyphotography #lifestylefamilyphotography #joyfulfamilyphotos #naturalfamilyphotography #portraitphotographer #sandiegolifestylephotographer #northcountysandiego #southerncaliforniaphotographer #vallentynephotography #timelessportraiture
Pregnancy is a special time worth capturing in all its beauty. To help you get the most out of your maternity session, here are a few tips!⁠
⁠
• Timing: Schedule your session when you’re between 29–36 weeks along. This window lets your bump shine without risking an early arrival that could make you miss your shoot!⁠
⁠
• Outfit Choices: Avoid wearing anything too tight on your skin beforehand—think elastic bands, waistbands, or anything that might leave a mark. Keeping your skin smooth will help us capture flawless photos!⁠
⁠
• Show Off That Bump: Tighter clothing tends to work best in photos, highlighting that beautiful belly. Loose clothing can hide your shape, so bring your favorite fitted pieces!⁠
⁠
• Go Bold: Embrace the studio setting and don’t be afraid to show a little skin! Tasteful nude and semi-nude shots can be stunning, and I provide soft draping fabric for a timeless look.⁠
⁠
• Family Welcome: Yes! Partners, kids, and even pets can join in these photos to celebrate this moment with you. After all, these portraits are about celebrating family! 💕⁠
⁠
Ready to book your maternity session? Click the link in my bio to schedule!⁠

#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