Capturing Carlsbad Village: A Family Portrait Session in the Heart of the Community

A Family Session in Carlsbad Village

Why Carlsbad Village is a Dream Backdrop for Family Photography

Carlsbad Village has this timeless energy—cozy, coastal, and full of character. As a photographer, it’s one of my favorite places to shoot because every corner has its own vibe. For this local family, it wasn’t just a location; it was their neighborhood. We wandered from their favorite coffee spot to a few historical buildings that, sadly, have since been renovated or replaced. I’m so grateful we were able to capture them when we did—it’s like having a visual time capsule.


Exploring the Village Through the Eyes of a Local Family

We started the session near the Carlsbad Village Coaster Station, where the trains rolled by and gave us some candid, motion-filled moments. From there, we made our way toward Carlsbad Village Beach for a few wind-in-your-hair seaside shots. The light, the breeze, the easy laughter—it felt like a slice of SoCal summer wrapped in love.


Stopping for Slices, Scoops, and Smiles

After the more posed moments, we slipped into real-life mode—grabbing pizza at Fresco Trattoria & Bar and a well-earned treat from Handel’s Ice Cream. These little detours are some of my favorite parts of a session. When the kids are happily munching and the parents are relaxing a bit, that’s when the most authentic photos happen.


Places Worth Remembering in the Village

This session also gave us a chance to capture places that, not long after, changed or disappeared altogether. The family shared stories of shopping at small Carlsbad Village boutiques that no longer line the street and grabbing smoothies after yoga at a now-closed local studio. It was a beautiful reminder that photography doesn’t just freeze people in time—it preserves the places that hold their memories too.


Planning Your Own Family Photos in Carlsbad Village

Whether you live just around the corner or you’ve only strolled through the Village on a weekend, this little pocket of Carlsbad has so much to offer. Picture your family session starting at Carlsbad Village Station, exploring murals and window shopping, then winding down with sunset photos on the beach. Not to mention: snacks and bribes are built right in thanks to the nearby pizza joints and sweet shops.

I absolutely love this family portrait session I shot with one of my favorite Carlsbad local families! We found all the best street art and even got the chance to shoot at one of my favorite places, the outdoor book shop. I think the photos are adorable and you have so much fun doing this photoshoot! It was hard to pick but are a few of my favorites!

If this feels like part of your family’s story too, I’d love to help you capture it. Whether you’re after something relaxed and playful or a little more polished, I’m here to make the process effortless—from planning to printed art that actually makes it onto your walls.

Check out more of my family portrait sessions
See the full photo portfolio here
Learn more about how I work with families
Reach out to start planning your session

Let’s turn your favorite local spots—and the people you love most—into lasting art you’ll enjoy every day. ✨

Planning your own photos? Lets chat!

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Take a look around, and click here to get in touch with me about your own photos!

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Almost every parent walks away from their session thinking, “There’s no way we got anything good.”

But I promise you—we did.

In between the wiggles and snack breaks, there are always moments of connection: the way your toddler grabs your hand, the way they laugh when you chase them, the way they melt into your arms when they’re done.

Those are the moments that make the best photos. And those are the memories you’ll want on your walls years from now.

#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
If you’re worried your toddler won’t cooperate during photos, you’re not alone. Every parent tells me the same thing before their session.

Here’s the truth: toddlers are busy, unpredictable, and full of opinions. And that’s exactly how they’re supposed to be.

I’ve spent years photographing families with little ones, and I know how to work with it. We keep things moving, we play, we take breaks, and we roll with whatever happens.

You don’t need a perfectly behaved toddler to get beautiful family photos. You just need to show up—I’ll handle the rest.

#carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #oceansidephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #familyphotographer #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #DocumentYourDays #TheEverydayPortrait
The holiday season sneaks up fast—and it’s the perfect time to update your family portraits. 

#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
I get it—being pregnant can feel overwhelming. You’re tired, you’ve got a million things on your list, and the thought of planning a photo session might feel like one more thing to manage.

That’s where I come in.

From helping you choose what to wear, to finding the perfect location, to guiding you through every pose—I’ve done this hundreds of times. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to show up, and I’ll take care of the rest.

Because these months go by faster than you think. And when they’re gone, you’ll want to remember the way it felt to be here, waiting.

#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
I know the questions already circling in your mind.

Will your toddler melt down?
Will you have time to pull outfits together?
Will your partner run out of steam?

I’ve thought of all of it—and planned for it, too.

Whether you’re preparing for maternity portraits or welcoming a newborn, every detail is handled. From wardrobe styling to location planning to gentle direction during your session, I’ll meet your family right where you are.

You don’t need to arrive perfectly polished—you only need to arrive. I’ll take care of the rest.

✨ Ready to turn these fleeting moments into timeless art for your home? Send me a DM or click the link in bio to reserve your session today.

#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 two people and a whole new chapter rolling in with the tide.
No shoes. No stress.
Just soaking it in before everything changes.

#OceansidePier #MaternitySession #BeachVibesOnly #ModernParenthood #TheEverydayPortrait #vallentynephotography #maternity #maternityphotographer #photography #oceansidematernityphotography #carlsbadmaternityphotographer #encinitasmaternityphotographer #pregnancy #pregnancyphotographer #pregnancyphotography #oceansidepregnancyphotography #carlsbadpregnancyphotographer #encinitaspregnancyphotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #maternityphotoshoot #sandiegomaternityphotographer #delmarmaternityphotographer #oceansidematernityphotographer

 

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.

Almost every parent walks away from their session thinking, “There’s no way we got anything good.”

But I promise you—we did.

In between the wiggles and snack breaks, there are always moments of connection: the way your toddler grabs your hand, the way they laugh when you chase them, the way they melt into your arms when they’re done.

Those are the moments that make the best photos. And those are the memories you’ll want on your walls years from now.

#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
If you’re worried your toddler won’t cooperate during photos, you’re not alone. Every parent tells me the same thing before their session.

Here’s the truth: toddlers are busy, unpredictable, and full of opinions. And that’s exactly how they’re supposed to be.

I’ve spent years photographing families with little ones, and I know how to work with it. We keep things moving, we play, we take breaks, and we roll with whatever happens.

You don’t need a perfectly behaved toddler to get beautiful family photos. You just need to show up—I’ll handle the rest.

#carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #oceansidephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #familyphotographer #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #DocumentYourDays #TheEverydayPortrait
The holiday season sneaks up fast—and it’s the perfect time to update your family portraits. 

#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
I get it—being pregnant can feel overwhelming. You’re tired, you’ve got a million things on your list, and the thought of planning a photo session might feel like one more thing to manage.

That’s where I come in.

From helping you choose what to wear, to finding the perfect location, to guiding you through every pose—I’ve done this hundreds of times. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to show up, and I’ll take care of the rest.

Because these months go by faster than you think. And when they’re gone, you’ll want to remember the way it felt to be here, waiting.

#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
I know the questions already circling in your mind.

Will your toddler melt down?
Will you have time to pull outfits together?
Will your partner run out of steam?

I’ve thought of all of it—and planned for it, too.

Whether you’re preparing for maternity portraits or welcoming a newborn, every detail is handled. From wardrobe styling to location planning to gentle direction during your session, I’ll meet your family right where you are.

You don’t need to arrive perfectly polished—you only need to arrive. I’ll take care of the rest.

✨ Ready to turn these fleeting moments into timeless art for your home? Send me a DM or click the link in bio to reserve your session today.

#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 two people and a whole new chapter rolling in with the tide.
No shoes. No stress.
Just soaking it in before everything changes.

#OceansidePier #MaternitySession #BeachVibesOnly #ModernParenthood #TheEverydayPortrait #vallentynephotography #maternity #maternityphotographer #photography #oceansidematernityphotography #carlsbadmaternityphotographer #encinitasmaternityphotographer #pregnancy #pregnancyphotographer #pregnancyphotography #oceansidepregnancyphotography #carlsbadpregnancyphotographer #encinitaspregnancyphotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #maternityphotoshoot #sandiegomaternityphotographer #delmarmaternityphotographer #oceansidematernityphotographer

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california