{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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They’ll never be this tiny again. Every newborn is a once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece—just days old, yet already entirely themselves. These early moments are fleeting, raw, and unrepeatable. Capture them not just for now, but for the decades ahead when these sleepy yawns and curled-up fingers feel like a dream.

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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.⁠
There’s something so special about gathering the whole family—generations together, kids running barefoot through the sand, golden light pouring in.

This sunset session was filled with tiny, beautiful moments: a toddler twirling in her grandma’s arms, cousins holding hands, laughter between siblings who’ve grown up side by side.

It’s these in-between moments that mean the most. The ones that tell the real story of your family—just as you are, right now.

#CarlsbadPhotographer #CarlsbadBeach #OceansidePhotographer #SanDiegoFamilyPhotographer #NorthCountyPhotographer #FamilyBeachPhotos #CarlsbadFamilyPhotographer #OceansideBeachPhotography #ExtendedFamilySession #NaturalFamilyPhotography #SunsetFamilyPhotos #SoCalFamilyPhotographer #HeirloomPhotography #FamilyPhotosCarlsbad #carlsbadportraitphotographer
They say a day well lived makes every yesterday a dream—and I believe it. These really are the best days of our lives. Not because they’re perfect, but because they’re filled with love, laughter, and those tiny everyday moments that make life beautiful—if we pause long enough to notice.

Today reminded me how important it is to slow down. To take a breath, step away from the hustle, and make space for the in-between moments that are everything.♥️

#carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #love #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidephotographer #familytime #familyfirst
Photography isn’t just about taking pictures—it’s about holding onto memories.⁣
⁣
I want you to look back at these photos and remember the way it felt to hold your kids, the sound of their little laugh, and all those tiny moments that make this time so special.⁣
⁣
Because they’re only this little once. 💕⁣
⁣
Book your session today! Link in bio.

 

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.

They’ll never be this tiny again. Every newborn is a once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece—just days old, yet already entirely themselves. These early moments are fleeting, raw, and unrepeatable. Capture them not just for now, but for the decades ahead when these sleepy yawns and curled-up fingers feel like a dream.

#newbornphotography #tinytoesbiglove #oceansidephotographer #carlsbadnewbornphotographer #newbornportraits #northcountysandiego #babyphotographer #motherhoodunplugged #newbornmagic #vallentynephotography
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.⁠
There’s something so special about gathering the whole family—generations together, kids running barefoot through the sand, golden light pouring in.

This sunset session was filled with tiny, beautiful moments: a toddler twirling in her grandma’s arms, cousins holding hands, laughter between siblings who’ve grown up side by side.

It’s these in-between moments that mean the most. The ones that tell the real story of your family—just as you are, right now.

#CarlsbadPhotographer #CarlsbadBeach #OceansidePhotographer #SanDiegoFamilyPhotographer #NorthCountyPhotographer #FamilyBeachPhotos #CarlsbadFamilyPhotographer #OceansideBeachPhotography #ExtendedFamilySession #NaturalFamilyPhotography #SunsetFamilyPhotos #SoCalFamilyPhotographer #HeirloomPhotography #FamilyPhotosCarlsbad #carlsbadportraitphotographer
They say a day well lived makes every yesterday a dream—and I believe it. These really are the best days of our lives. Not because they’re perfect, but because they’re filled with love, laughter, and those tiny everyday moments that make life beautiful—if we pause long enough to notice.

Today reminded me how important it is to slow down. To take a breath, step away from the hustle, and make space for the in-between moments that are everything.♥️

#carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #love #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidephotographer #familytime #familyfirst
Photography isn’t just about taking pictures—it’s about holding onto memories.⁣
⁣
I want you to look back at these photos and remember the way it felt to hold your kids, the sound of their little laugh, and all those tiny moments that make this time so special.⁣
⁣
Because they’re only this little once. 💕⁣
⁣
Book your session today! Link in bio.

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california