photos you will treasurematernity

Pregnancy is a journey full of joy and excitement—

and nausea and nervousness and moments of

“I can't see my toooeessss!"

 

But it's all a part of the experience, and it's a time you'll want to capture to remember forever—

enter maternity photos.

 

Here's where you can get my top tips for a great maternity photo shoot, enjoy!

 

XO, Heather

maternity newsletter signup page

 

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.

There’s nothing quite like the stillness of a newborn asleep, curled up just as they were days ago. These are the fleeting moments you’ll never want to forget.

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When I look at your baby, I don't see a prop or a pose.

I see the way their fingers stretch when they yawn.

The way they melt into your arms when they're calm.

The tiny, perfect details that are already changing by the day. 
 
To me, that's where the beauty is. Natural. Simple. Real. 
 
These aren't just photos- they're a way to remember what it felt like in those first quiet days as a family. 
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#vallentynephotography #carlsbadnewbornphotographer #petitejoys #sandiegonewbornphotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #newbornphotography #newborn #familyphotography #motherhood #motherhoodrising #newbornsofinstagram #newbornoninstagram #everydaynewborn #love #NewbornShoot #BabyPhotography #BabyLove #NewbornPortraits #NewbornMagic #CuteBaby #SweetBaby #NewbornArt #BabyMoments #TinyMiracle #SleepingBaby #BabySnuggles #NewbornLife #NewbornBliss #BabyBundle #AdorableNewborn
I love color… but black and white? It completely took the cake for this session.
There’s just something about it—how it strips everything down to the connection, the emotion, the light.
Black and white portraiture feels timeless in the best way.
It doesn’t follow trends. It doesn’t age. It simply is.
For this family, it felt like the perfect fit—simple, honest, and full of feeling.
The kind of portraits that will look just as beautiful in 30 years as they do today.

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Sometimes the simplest scenes stop you in your tracks. A wide sky, wings in motion, and a reminder that beauty is always unfolding overhead.

#carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #oceansidephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #familyphotographer #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #DocumentYourDays #TheEverydayPortrait
There’s something so timeless about black and white studio portraits.
They draw your eye to what matters most—the emotion, the connection, the little details.
And yes… even with a wild two-year-old, that magic is still there.
The movement. The mischief. The way they light up the room just by being themselves.
Studio sessions don’t have to mean stillness.
They just make space for the real moments to shine.
And in black and white? Those moments become something truly unforgettable.

#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
The way kids reach for their dad—the squeeze around his neck, the way they fit perfectly in his arms—those are the kinds of moments that only last for a season. Photos like this freeze it so you can come back to it, long after the hugs have grown.

#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

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california