maternity portrait 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, your journey begins, and the next, you're feeling tiny kicks and daydreaming about the moment you’ll finally hold your baby.

This is a time of anticipation, excitement, and let’s be honest—a lot of unexpected moments!

And while it may not always feel magical, trust me—it is.

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

Whether you want a sunset beach session, a relaxed in-studio maternity shoot, I make the process easy and enjoyable.

Because you deserve to soak in this moment.

As a maternity portrait photographer in Oceanside, Carlsbad and Encinitas,

I believe this season of anticipation and change deserves to be remembered with timeless, natural images.

it was youI have always known

A Maternity Session Designed With You in Mind

What to wear?

I provide a simple, flattering wardrobe guide (plus access to beautiful maternity gowns if you’d like!).
Feeling unsure in front of the camera?

I’ll direct you every step of the way + natural classic retouching is included.
Not sure where to take photos?

I’ll help you choose between an outdoor location maternity photoshoot, a modern studio pregnancy shoot.
Wondering what to do with the photos?

Whether you want a framed portrait for the nursery, an album to treasure forever, or even a gallery wall that grows with your family—

I’ll take care of it all.
Worried your partner isn’t into it?

That’s okay! I keep the session light, fun, and relaxed—no forced smiles, just genuine connection.

Curious what to wear or how to prepare for your shoot?

The What to Expect blog offers fun inspiration for maternity photo styles.

Many of my clients begin with a maternity session,

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

 

Not ready yet? No problem!

Just click here for more info about the session and pricing.

The o'harasI cried when I saw how beautiful my belly looked! I'm so grateful.

Why 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.

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

 

How It Works:

A Seamless Process

 

Get in Touch

Fill out my contact form or send a quick email.

We’ll chat about your vision, ideal timing, and what will make your session perfect.


Plan Your Session

We’ll select the perfect location—whether it’s a beach maternity photoshoot or a simple studio session.

You’ll also get all the wardrobe guidance you need.


Enjoy the Experience

I’ll guide you every step of the way, ensuring you feel comfortable and radiant in front of the camera.


Choose Your Favorites

After the session, I’ll help you select your favorite images, and retouch + print the ones you love.


Receive Beautiful Artwork

Whether it’s framed prints, an heirloom album,

or a growing gallery wall,

your images will be delivered ready to enjoy in your home.

No extra work for you—just stunning, tangible memories.

Get in touch

Send

Message sent successfully, thank you!Error submitting form, please try again or email heather@vallentynephotography.com directly.

Thank you for being here!

For over 20 years, I’ve been photographing growing families in Oceanside 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 Carlsbad, Encinitas, and Oceanside.

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.

google reviews-large grid

 

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.

These are the moments that make up a lifetime.
The kind you don’t plan. The kind you can’t pose.
Just a girl chasing the man who makes her laugh the hardest.
This is what real memories look like—movement, joy, love.
The way he turns to let her catch up. The way she thinks he’s the most fun person on the planet.
It’s not perfect lighting or perfect stillness. It’s perfect connection.

#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
She's a Beauty inside and out and she's off to college for an amazing adventure, wishing her all the luck in the world!

*
*
*
*
*
#vallentynephotography #sandiegoseniorphotographer #seniorphotos #seniorphotography #carlsbadseniorphotographer #encinitasseniorphotographer #seniorologie #sandiegoportraitphotographer #sandiegophotographer #carlsbadphotographer #temeculaseniorphotographer #seniorpictures #beachseniorpictures #lajollaseniorphotographer #ranchosantafeseniorphotographer #carlsbadsenior #sandiegoseniorsession #carlsbadhighschoolsenior #seniorstyle #csusmgrad #sanmarcosseniorphotographer #collegegrad #seniorstyleguide #sandiegophotographers #sandiegobeachphotographer #beachphotoshoot #seniorportraits #cathedralcatholichighschool
You can almost hear the quiet, can't you?

Sometimes a photo is less about what you see
and more about what it makes you feel.

#TheArtOfEveryday #VisualPoetry #FineArtPhotography #ChasingLight #EmotivePhotography
The best moments are totally unplanned.
You can’t script a moment like this—
Not posed. Not polished. Just real life, unfolding in front of the camera.
That’s where the magic is—and I’m here to catch it before it’s gone.

#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
The love, the laughter, the chaos. This is family.
It’s not always quiet. It’s rarely neat.
But it’s real—and it’s yours.
The way your kids tumble into each other during a hug.
The belly laughs that come out of nowhere.
The moments when you think, this is wild, and also, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
That’s what I’m here to capture—the perfectly imperfect magic of your real life, just as it is.

#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
Love this mama's tattoo; "No Matter What"
"A mother is always a Mother: No matter how many times her feelings get hurt, she never stops caring for her children, and never stops praying for the best of them."

#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 	#TheEverydayPortrait #DocumentYourDays #LetThemBeLittle

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california