{engagement shoots} what to wear

I love doing engagement shoots. I feel like it really allows me to get to know my clients as a couple, and also how they feel about being in front of the camera! When I have done an engagement shoot before the wedding, the big day goes so much easier because they are already comfortable having their picture taken and are ready to have a little more fun! Also, since they have already seen how great the photos come out, they understand my direction as I shoot a little better which is a big plus.

As far as clothing goes for the shoot, I am not a big fan of the matching outfits but I do like outfits that go together. For instance, if you wear a classy dress and he wears a collared shirt in a similar color or tone. Or if you both wear jeans and he wears a sweater and you wear a cute top. Here is my advice on the clothes: you will have these pictures forever so try to make it timeless. No crazy prints or really trendy cuts of clothes and no logos on shirts…stuff like that. I also think it looks good to stay in either the dark or light end of the color spectrum. It doesn’t have to be black or white (although that looks good) but dark or light colors look better than all mid-tones because they look more contrast-y and defined. And of course, I love dresses on girls, it is so fun and feminine. It is also easy to slip into if you want to change your clothes quickly!

I hope that helps, if you have any questions that are more specific, please send me an email or leave a comment here!

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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
Still so new to the world, and yet already so full of soul.
It’s these tiny, unexpected moments that take my breath away.
Simple. Honest. Powerful.
No props. No posing. Just your baby—exactly as they are.

#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
There’s nothing quite like those first days of motherhood.
The way she holds her baby close, still learning each other’s rhythms.
The quiet strength in her arms. The softness in her eyes.
It’s raw, overwhelming, beautiful.
And it passes faster than anyone warns you.
That’s why I keep things simple in the studio—so all the focus stays right here:
On the connection. The love. The beginning of it all.

#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
Is there anything better than the first real smiles you get from you baby?!!⁠
⁠
I don't think so!⁠
⁠
Baby's start smiling at people they recognized between six and twelve weeks of age!⁠
⁠
Want to capture some of those sweet smiles? Schedule your appointment 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

 

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.

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
Still so new to the world, and yet already so full of soul.
It’s these tiny, unexpected moments that take my breath away.
Simple. Honest. Powerful.
No props. No posing. Just your baby—exactly as they are.

#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
There’s nothing quite like those first days of motherhood.
The way she holds her baby close, still learning each other’s rhythms.
The quiet strength in her arms. The softness in her eyes.
It’s raw, overwhelming, beautiful.
And it passes faster than anyone warns you.
That’s why I keep things simple in the studio—so all the focus stays right here:
On the connection. The love. The beginning of it all.

#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
Is there anything better than the first real smiles you get from you baby?!!⁠
⁠
I don't think so!⁠
⁠
Baby's start smiling at people they recognized between six and twelve weeks of age!⁠
⁠
Want to capture some of those sweet smiles? Schedule your appointment 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

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california