PhotographyVallentyne

Carlsbad Maternity Photographer

In 50 years, these photos will be Your Most Treasured Possession

Because This Moment Deserves to Be Remembered

Pregnancy is one of those rare seasons of life where time somehow moves both incredibly fast and impossibly slow.

 

One day, you’re seeing those first tiny kicks and imagining the moment you’ll finally meet your baby - and before you know it, everything changes.

 

These fleeting months deserve to be captured in a way that feels natural, effortless, and beautifully true to you.

 

Whether you envision a sunset beach session or a relaxed studio maternity shoot,

every session is thoughtfully guided to feel easy, comfortable, and meaningful from beginning to end.

 

Based in Carlsbad, I photograph maternity sessions throughout North County San Diego - from my studio in Carlsbad Village, to Oceanside, Encinitas, San Diego, and beyond.

“

I have always known

it was you

“

  • Pregnant woman in a white dress standing in a sunny garden, smiling and holding her belly.
  • A couple walks barefoot on the beach, holding hands; the woman is pregnant and smiling at the man.
  • Smiling couple holding hands and walking on the beach; the woman is pregnant and wearing a white dress.
  • Pregnant woman in a white dress stands in a sunlit garden, gently cradling her belly and smiling.
  • A couple in white clothes kisses on a sandy beach near rocks, reflected in calm water at sunset.
  • Pregnant woman in a blue dress kneeling on a sandy beach, smiling at the camera with the ocean in the background.
  • A smiling couple stands on a beach, the woman in a blue dress cradling her pregnant belly, with cliffs in the background.
  • A man embraces and kisses a pregnant woman in a blue dress on a beach, both looking serene.
  • Pregnant woman in a blue dress sits on sandy beach, looking up and smiling gently at the camera.
  • A pregnant woman and a man walk barefoot on a sandy beach near rocks, holding hands and smiling.
  • Smiling couple embraces on a sandy beach, the woman in a white dress holds her pregnant belly, ocean in the background.
  • A couple stands on a cliff overlooking the ocean at sunset, with waves and sandy cliffs in the background.

Thinking about a studio session? Take a peek at my Carlsbad portrait studio.

A Maternity Session Designed With You in Mind

What to wear?

I provide a simple, flattering wardrobe guide to help you feel comfortable and confident for your session.

 

Direction in front of the camera?

Every session is thoughtfully guided with natural direction and classic retouching included.

 

Wondering what to do with the photos?

From framed artwork for the nursery to heirloom albums and gallery walls,

your images are designed to become meaningful pieces you’ll enjoy every day.

 

Plan Your Session

Many of my clients begin with a maternity session,

then continue with newborn portraits and family sessions as their story grows.

"I cried when I saw how beautiful my belly looked! I'm so grateful."

- The o'Haras

This session will mean more than you ever expected

Right now, you might be thinking,

“Do I really want maternity photos?”

 

But here’s the truth: as the months pass and your baby finally arrives, you’ll look back at this time with a kind of nostalgia that’s hard to put into words.

 

Your body is doing something incredible.

This chapter deserves to be remembered.

 

Maternity photos aren’t just for you right now—they’re for your future self, for your baby, and for the family you’re building.

 

And the best part? You don’t have to do a thing except show up and enjoy the moment.

Get In Touch

A Session To Celebrate

Celebrate this special time with a maternity session that beautifully captures your journey to motherhood.

A family of five stands on large rocks under a clear sky, holding hands and smiling.

I can’t rave enough about Heather! I was searching for a family photographer after recently moving to California, and found her beautiful work. She is professional, kind, responsive, organized, and talented! We are so happy with the photos she captured for us!

Emily

A family of four stands outdoors; mom holds a girl, dad holds a boy upside down. They all smile and look happy.

Heather is absolutely fantastic! I was a little nervous that it would be difficult to capture my wiggly 9 month old, but Heather was so sweet with him and got some wonderful images that really capture his little personality. She is such a professional and from the moment we started the shoot she had such a good rhythm and direction for us. Each image is perfect, we love them all!

Whitney

Two children holding hands and walking in shallow water at the beach, with waves and a sailboat in the background.

We have used Heather as our photographer for the last 9 years, and I cannot say enough about how fabulous her photos are! She is patient and kind and so easy to work with (even my kids look forward to seeing her), and she captures the most precious moments. I highly recommend Vallentyne Photography- you will not be disappointed!

Carolyn

Session Details

Portrait Session, $290

Your session fee covers the planning, portrait session, and a personalized ordering appointment.

PRINT Collections BEGIN AT $990

After your session, you'll choose your favorite images and decide what you'd love to take home. Whether that's framed wall art, an album, printed photographs, or digital images, I'll help you create something you'll enjoy for years to come.

Get In Touch

Send

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THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE

For over 20 years, I’ve been photographing growing families in Carlsbad and beyond. Many of my clients start with their maternity session and continue with me for their newborn photography, family portraits, and every milestone after.

 

It’s an honor to be a part of these lifelong stories, and I take that trust seriously.

With 5-star Google reviews and countless families who return year after year, you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands. My job isn’t just to take photos—it’s to create an experience that feels natural, comfortable, and completely true to you.

 

I specialize in natural studio maternity photography for expecting mamas in North County San Diego.

Whether you’re dreaming of classic black-and-white silhouettes, soft natural light portraits, or a simple and elegant indoor pregnancy photoshoot,

 

I’ll guide you every step of the way. Your session includes styling support, full-service artwork, and a calm, cozy studio space where you can feel beautiful, relaxed, and celebrated. 

 
 
 
  
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Top Rated  Service 2026
 
verified by Trustindex 
 
Trustindex verifies that the company has a review score above 4.5, based on reviews collected on Google over the past 12 months, qualifying it to receive the Top Rated Certificate.

 

Vallentyne Photography is a portrait studio in Carlsbad, CA, serving families throughout North County San Diego and surrounding coastal communities.

 

With 20 years of experience, we specialize in natural, timeless portraits for families, maternity, newborns, and seniors — photographed on location or in our beautiful, natural light studio. Our goal is to make the experience feel relaxed, meaningful, and easy from start to finish while creating artwork you’ll love for years to come.

INSTAGRAM

One of my favorite things to photograph is childhood wonder. The daydreaming, the imagination, the quiet moments that disappear as kids grow older. #VallentynePhotography #ChildhoodMemories #FamilyPhotography #CarlsbadPhotographer #NorthCountyFamilies #ChildPortraits #OceansidePhotography #FamilySession #GrowingUp

𝘅𝗼, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀? Let’s talk!
Message me anytime and we’ll hop on a quick call to plan something beautiful.

3 0
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18117394861989837
One of my favorite things to photograph is childhood wonder. The daydreaming, the imagination, the quiet moments that disappear as kids grow older. #VallentynePhotography #ChildhoodMemories #FamilyPhotography #CarlsbadPhotographer #NorthCountyFamilies #ChildPortraits #OceansidePhotography #FamilySession #GrowingUp 𝘅𝗼, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀? Let’s talk! Message me anytime and we’ll hop on a quick call to plan something beautiful.

The older kids get, the more parents tell me, "We`re overdue." Life gets busy and family photos get pushed to someday. Until suddenly everybody looks different.

#VallentynePhotography #FamilyPhotography #CarlsbadFamilyPhotographer #BeachFamilyPhotos #NorthCountyFamilies #OceansidePhotographer #FamilyPortraitSession #SanDiegoFamilies #MemoriesMatter

𝘅𝗼, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀? Let’s talk!
Message me anytime and we’ll hop on a quick call to plan something beautiful.

6 0
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18101669162195933
The older kids get, the more parents tell me, "We're overdue." Life gets busy and family photos get pushed to someday. Until suddenly everybody looks different. #VallentynePhotography #FamilyPhotography #CarlsbadFamilyPhotographer #BeachFamilyPhotos #NorthCountyFamilies #OceansidePhotographer #FamilyPortraitSession #SanDiegoFamilies #MemoriesMatter 𝘅𝗼, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀? Let’s talk! Message me anytime and we’ll hop on a quick call to plan something beautiful.

You’ll never hold them this tiny again. 🤍
Those first newborn days pass in such a blur. The tiny details, the way they curl into you, and how impossibly small they feel in your arms are all changing before you even realize it.
This is why I love creating simple, timeless newborn portraits that keep the focus exactly where it belongs—on your baby and your connection as a family.
Newborn sessions are photographed in my Carlsbad studio.

#CarlsbadNewbornPhotographer #SanDiegoNewbornPhotographer #NorthCountySanDiegoPhotographer #NewbornPhotography #CarlsbadPhotographer

4 0
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 17973974664141506
You’ll never hold them this tiny again. 🤍 Those first newborn days pass in such a blur. The tiny details, the way they curl into you, and how impossibly small they feel in your arms are all changing before you even realize it. This is why I love creating simple, timeless newborn portraits that keep the focus exactly where it belongs—on your baby and your connection as a family. Newborn sessions are photographed in my Carlsbad studio. #CarlsbadNewbornPhotographer #SanDiegoNewbornPhotographer #NorthCountySanDiegoPhotographer #NewbornPhotography #CarlsbadPhotographer

One day you`ll look back and realize these quiet moments together were the good old days. The ordinary days. The ones that felt normal at the time.

#VallentynePhotography #BeachPhotography #FamilyPortraits #CarlsbadPhotographer #CouplesSession #NorthCountySanDiego #OceansideBeachPhotos #FamilyMemories #SunsetPortraits

𝘅𝗼, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀? Let’s talk!
Message me anytime and we’ll hop on a quick call to plan something beautiful.

5 0
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18033624548890653
One day you'll look back and realize these quiet moments together were the good old days. The ordinary days. The ones that felt normal at the time. #VallentynePhotography #BeachPhotography #FamilyPortraits #CarlsbadPhotographer #CouplesSession #NorthCountySanDiego #OceansideBeachPhotos #FamilyMemories #SunsetPortraits 𝘅𝗼, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀? Let’s talk! Message me anytime and we’ll hop on a quick call to plan something beautiful.
A large, green, uppercase letter V on a white background.

3138 Roosevelt St M

Carlsbad, CA 92008