san diego Couples, Anniversary & proposal photographer

As a San Diego proposal photographer, I capture the magic of your "yes" moment—whether it’s on the beach, the bluffs, or somewhere totally unique to you.

From the proposal to the anniversary, couples photography will tell your story.

Beautiful photos
that feel like you.

Because Love Evolves—Let’s Capture It Now

Your love story is always changing—growing deeper, stronger, and more beautiful with time.

 

Maybe you’ve just said “Yes!” and want to celebrate this exciting new chapter.
Maybe you’re planning the perfect proposal and want it beautifully documented.
Maybe it’s been years since you had professional photos together,

or you’ve never had images that truly feel like you.

 

It’s easy to say, “We’ll do it someday,” but life moves fast.

 

That’s where I come in. I make the process effortless, natural, and even fun—
so you can focus on what matters most:

celebrating your connection and creating art that belongs in your home.

cupcakes + frostingwe go together like

A Couples Photography Experience,

Designed for People Who Cherish Their Love Story

I specialize in natural, heartfelt couples photography in Oceanside

and surrounding areas of Carlsbad, North County, and San Diego—
creating beautiful, authentic images without the stress.

 

Whether you’re planning a surprise proposal, celebrating an engagement, marking an anniversary,
or simply want to capture the love you share right now, I’ll guide you through the entire process.

 

No stiff poses, no awkward moments—just real connection, genuine emotion, and timeless imagery.

As a full-service photographer, I take care of everything—
from planning your session to professional retouching and creating a stunning piece of art for your home.

 

No extra work on your plate—just effortless, beautiful results.

And if you’re visiting Oceanside on vacation or a babymoon, this is the perfect time to schedule a session.

 

Working with a San Diego proposal photographer means you get support planning every detail,

from where to stand to what time the light will be best.

Enjoy the experience, and I’ll have your finished artwork shipped right to your door—

so you can relive the memories every day without lifting a finger.

elle and tomI CANNOT stop looking at our engagement photos!!

Couples Photography, Made Easy

This will be so worth it.

Most couples tell me they’re surprised by how natural and effortless the experience feels—

no stiff poses, no awkward moments, just you and your person, having fun together.

 

From choosing the perfect location to guiding you into flattering, natural movements,

I make sure you feel comfortable every step of the way.

 

Never had professional photos together?

You’re in for a treat! It’s more than just a session—it’s an experience, a time to connect, laugh, and celebrate your love.

 

And if you're visiting Oceanside on vacation or a babymoon, this is the perfect way to capture this special time together.

 

I’ll handle everything, and your finished artwork will be shipped straight to your home, ready to enjoy.

 

Whether it’s a romantic date night, a surprise proposal,

or a way to honor your love story, you’ll walk away with something truly meaningful—

artwork that celebrates your connection every day.

Frequently asked questions

"I’m planning a surprise proposal—how does that work?"

First of all—how exciting! A proposal is such a big moment, and I’ll help you pull it off flawlessly. From choosing the perfect location to planning the best angles so I can capture the reaction, I’ll handle all the details so you can focus on the big question. Whether you want something intimate or a grand gesture, I’ll be there to document it naturally, so you’ll have beautiful images to relive the moment forever.

 

"Is an anniversary session worth it? We already have wedding photos."

Absolutely! Your wedding photos captured the beginning of your journey, but your love has grown and deepened since then. An anniversary session is a chance to celebrate where you are now—to slow down, reconnect, and create artwork that reflects your relationship today. It’s also a perfect excuse for a romantic date night, with photos that remind you every day why you chose each other.

 

"We just want beautiful photos together—do we need a special occasion?"

Not at all! Some of the best sessions happen just because. Your love is worth celebrating anytime, and a couples session is a fun, meaningful way to do that. Whether you want a relaxed beach walk at sunset or a cozy studio session, I’ll create images that feel like you.

 

"We didn’t love our wedding photos. Can we do a redo session?"

Yes, and you absolutely should. If your wedding photos didn’t capture you the way you’d hoped, a couples session is your chance to get the beautiful, artistic images you always wanted. No stress, no timelines—just the two of you, in a setting you love, creating photos you’ll actually want to display in your home.

 

"We’re on a babymoon—why is this the perfect time for a couples session?"

A babymoon is one of those fleeting, magical moments in life that deserves to be captured. It’s a time of excitement, anticipation, and deep connection before your world changes in the best way. A couples session during your trip gives you a chance to slow down, soak it all in, and create beautiful images together. The best part? You don’t have to worry about a thing—I’ll make the experience easy and seamless, and your finished artwork will be shipped straight to your home so you can enjoy it long after your vacation ends.

 

"We would like to include our family in the photos!"

I love this! I'm happy to include family portraits for the beginning or the end or as much of the session as you would like, view my family portrait portfolio here.

Get in touch

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Not sure where to start? The Knot's Proposal guide is full of ideas to help you plan the big moment.

I also recommend Visit San Diego for couples planning a destination proposal.

Love Letters from past & current clientsWhat People are Saying
Carly & Clayton“Heather is the best!! I CANNOT stop looking at our engagement photos. I thought I was nervous, but she definitely got Clayton and me at our best. She gives you the perfect amount of direction. She has a true gift and has down lighting, angles, and details.”
Elizabeth & EdVallentyne Photography was one of the best choices we made for our destination wedding. They were extremely professional, and every single one of their photos were
works of art. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for that "special" photographer with the magic touch to make their day truly extraordinary, for many years to come.
Stephanie & MikeWith out a doubt, Heather is one of the very best photographers I know. Not only are her pictures beautiful and candid, but she truly captures the mood and emotion of the day. She does all of this without being invasive. Most of the time we were unaware that we were being photographed. She is a true pleasure to work with.

 

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.

Because sit still and smile is not in their vocabulary
And honestly? I wouldn’t want it to be.
The laughter mid-air, the tiny toes kicking, the wild beach breeze—that’s the magic.
These aren’t just photos of your kids behaving… they’re memories of them being.
Because years from now, you won’t miss the perfectly posed moments—you’ll miss this.

#carlsbadphotographer #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegophotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #encinitasphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #lajollaphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #carlsbadbeachphotographer #sandiegolifestylephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #familyphotographer #familyphotography #familybeachphotos #carlsbadfamily #oceansidecalifornia #carlsbadcalifornia #carlsbadvillage #northcountysandiego #southerncaliforniaphotographer #vallentynephotography #TheEverydayPortrait #DocumentYourDays #LetThemBeLittle
No awkward poses. I promise only real beautiful moments.
You don’t need to perform to look amazing in your photos.
You just need to be you.
Whether that’s quiet and thoughtful or bold and full of energy—I’ll guide you every step of the way so it feels natural, never forced.
No cheesy backdrops. No uncomfortable poses. Just real, relaxed moments that feel like you, captured beautifully.

#oceansidematernityphotography #carlsbadmaternityphotographer #encinitasmaternityphotographer #sandiegomaternityphotographer #delmarmaternityphotographer #maternityphotographer #maternityphotoshoot #pregnancyphotographer #pregnancyphotography #blackandwhiteportraits #carlsbadbeachsunset #modernparenthood #reallifecaptured #dadlifeunfiltered #beachvibesonly #carlsbadlife #encinitaslife #sandiegomoms #carlsbadlocals #oceansidelocals #northcountysandiego #southerncaliforniaphotographer #familymaternitysession #photographyart #timelessportraiture
Real life is way more fun than perfect poses
Because the truth is—your kids probably won’t sit still.
They’ll make silly faces, run in opposite directions, or collapse into giggles just when you were hoping for that one perfect shot.
And honestly? That’s exactly what I want to capture.
The real smiles. The chaos. The snuggles. The way your toddler leans into you when they're tired, or how your baby clutches your finger like it’s the most important thing in the world.
That’s the good stuff. And those are the moments you’ll actually want to remember.

#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
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

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california