About Heather & Vallentyne Photography
You’re Going to Want to Remember This
Hello
I'M HEATHER
Photographer. Mom. Professional wrangler of energetic toddlers, distracted husbands, and people who swear they're awkward in photos.
For more than 20 years, I've helped families throughout Carlsbad, North County San Diego, and Orange County create photographs that feel natural, connected, and genuinely like them.
Because the best family photos aren't about perfect smiles. They're about remembering what this season of life actually felt like.
I'm a portrait photographer based in Carlsbad, California, and over the years I've photographed everything from editorial fashion and commercial work to weddings, newborns, seniors, and family portraits.
These days, helping families document their lives in a meaningful way is my favorite part of the job.
"She Gives You The Perfect Amount of Direction."
- The Wesleys
Most People Don't Realize Family Photography Can Be This Easy
Many families assume the hardest part is the session... In reality, it's usually everything that comes after.
Choosing images.
Deciding what to print.
Figuring out frame sizes.
Wondering what belongs on the wall and what belongs in an album.
That's why I guide the process from beginning to end. From planning your session to helping you select artwork for your home, everything is designed to feel straightforward, relaxed, and enjoyable.
PHotography
View My Portfolio
Families
Colorful, Sweet & Organic
I'm honored to help you create memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. These sessions are so much fun! Your only job is to be yourself, laugh a lot and let me create photos you’ll love forever. I am a big director so I will be guiding you every step of the way.
Portraits are all about relationships and I love to show that in my images. As a mom of two boys myself, I use my motherly intuition and it has been called "infinite patience" ;) to work with your family on creating images that represent the deep connection you have together.
My job isn't done until your portraits are beautifully displayed in your home. I will help you from start to finish choosing your favorites to print after our session.
Maternity
Empowered, Beautiful, & Limitless
Nothing can let you relive your pregnancy like pictures. A maternity photo shoot will give you the chance to capture this priceless moment and look back on it time and time again.
Not only does a maternity photo shoot provide you with precious memories, but one day your baby will love getting the chance to catch a glimpse of their life on the other side. A maternity photo shoot is a great way for you to feel beautiful and own that baby bump. In the meantime, you will also be capturing precious memories that will last a lifetime.
You should look back on these photos with pride and a sense of accomplishment. You grew a human, Mama! Not everyone has the honor of such an experience!
Newborns
Innocence, Sweetness, & Connection
My newborn sessions focus on the family interaction and connection in your family when you bring your baby home. My sessions are in your home, relaxed, time efficient, and they result in a gallery full of beautiful moments captured that tell the story of this time.
I practice what I call natural "Baby Led Posing." This means that I don't ever put a baby in a flower pot. :) I think babies are beautiful as they are.
The natural unfolding of a newborn's limbs when the stretch, the way they curl up when placed on their belly for a moment, the way they look when cozily swaddled, all of that is so simple and beautiful to me. This is how I remember my babies, and that is how I photograph them.
Couples
Joyful, Fresh, & Natural
Joyful, Fresh & Natural
I love capturing couples in all stages of their journey—whether you're engaged, celebrating an anniversary, planning a surprise proposal, or simply wanting to document your love as it is right now.You’ll spend a lifetime together, but this season—right now—is something special.
A couples session isn’t just about photos; it’s about creating something meaningful, and artwork that brings you back to this chapter of your love story every single day.
Branding
Personal Branding Photography
Not only do I love doing photography, I love doing business. Systems and marketing plans are one of my favorite topics! I know how important it is to communicate your worth at a glance. This is why my service will take your business to the next level.
The images we create together will launch your brand to the next level while making your life easier by attracting the right clients to your company. I can't think of anything more fundamentally important to a business than that. This is a wise investment with a brilliant return.
Studio or outdoors ?
You don't have to know yet.
My Carlsbad portrait studio is perfect for newborns, milestone sessions, professional headshots, and families who love a clean, timeless look.
If your family feels more at home at the beach, among coastal trails, or exploring one of North County's beautiful outdoor locations, we'll find the perfect setting together.
Whether we're in the studio or chasing sunset light along the coast, the goal is always the same:
Photographs that feel natural and true to your family.
Your photographs deserve better than a hard drive
One of the things clients tell me most often is:
"I never would have printed these if you hadn't helped me."
They're probably right.
Life gets busy.
That's why I help families turn their favorite photographs into framed artwork, albums, and prints they'll actually enjoy every day.
The framed portrait in the hallway.
The album your kids pull off the shelf.
The photographs that quietly become part of your family's history.
Those are the pieces that matter most.
Let's create something
you'll love looking back on
Whether you're planning family photos, welcoming a new baby, celebrating a senior year, or simply realizing how quickly time is moving,
I'd love to help.
Tell me a little about what you're envisioning below.
Get In Touch
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.
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.
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.
Something new at Vallentyne Photography!
If you follow me here for family, maternity, newborn, or senior portraits, you may not know that I also photograph professional headshots and personal branding.
And now that I have my Carlsbad Village studio, I’ve created a whole new experience specifically for it: Modern Headshots.
These are for business owners and professionals who want photographs that feel polished and professional, but still approachable and like you.
Modern Headshots include professional hair and makeup, multiple wardrobe looks and backgrounds, plenty of guidance with posing and expression, and 2 professionally retouched images.
My first Modern Headshots Day is October 15 at the studio.
I’ve also created a separate page here on Instagram just for my headshot and branding work: @vallentynebranding
So if you’re the face of your business, come follow me over there! I’ll be sharing lots more headshot and personal branding inspiration.
And if your own headshot could use an update, send me a message and I’ll send you the October 15 details.
𝘅𝗼, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀? Let’s talk!
Message me anytime and we’ll hop on a quick call to plan something beautiful.
Every newborn photo is really a love story. Not just about the baby, but about the people whose hearts changed forever the moment they arrived.
#VallentynePhotography #NewbornPortraits #CarlsbadNewbornPhotography #StudioPhotographer #NorthCountyFamilies #BabyPhotography #FamilyConnection #OceansidePhotographer #NewbornSession
𝘅𝗼, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀? Let’s talk!
Message me anytime and we’ll hop on a quick call to plan something beautiful.
The photos are really for later. That`s what so many families tell me. Not for social media. Not for next week. For the future version of themselves who wants to remember everyone exactly like this.
#VallentynePhotography #ExtendedFamilyPhotography #BeachPortraits #CarlsbadPhotographer #FamilyConnection #NorthCountyFamilies #OceansidePhotography #FamilyMemories #SanDiegoPhotographer
𝘅𝗼, 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀? Let’s talk!
Message me anytime and we’ll hop on a quick call to plan something beautiful.
When the kids decide Mom is going in the ocean… 😂
This is the kind of moment I love during a family session—the completely unplanned ones that end up becoming part of the story.
Beautiful portraits are important, but so are the laughs, the chaos, and the moments you couldn`t have planned if you tried. 🤍
Family portraits in San Diego | Vallentyne Photography
#OceansideFamilyPhotographer #SanDiegoFamilyPhotographer #NorthCountySanDiegoPhotographer #SanDiegoFamilyPhotography #oceansidefamilyphotos
