Family, Maternity, Newborns & SeniorsPhotographyVallentyne

Photos for Mother’s Day | Motherhood Mini Sessions Are A Favorite Every Year

Mother cuddling toddler in natural light studio – photos for Mother’s Day

Photos for Mother’s Day: Why Motherhood Sessions Are My Personal Favorites

Every spring, I open up just one weekend for a set of very special sessions—Motherhood Minis. These short and sweet, 20-minute sessions are my personal favorite of the entire year. If you’ve ever looked for meaningful, beautiful photos for Mother’s Day, this is it.

As a mom, I know how rare it is to be in the frame. Most of us are the memory-keepers—snapping candids of sticky hands and sleepy heads, but never stepping in front of the camera ourselves. That’s why I created this annual tradition. To honor the bond between mothers and their little ones in a way that’s simple, elegant, and unforgettable.

A Studio Experience That Creates Meaningful Mother’s Day Photos

These Motherhood Mini Sessions (more info here) are held in my natural light studio in Carlsbad, designed to keep the focus on connection. Minimal props, soft textures, and a neutral color palette help create timeless, modern imagery that won’t feel trendy or dated years from now.

➡️ Get all the details about this year’s Motherhood Minis here

Mother’s Day Photo Gifts You’ll Actually Want to Frame

Each session includes access to exclusive products only offered during these minis:

  • A handcrafted framed trio featuring three finely-torn edge portraits—an elevated, artistic piece for your walls

  • Fine art matted albums that hold a story in every spread—perfect for a heartfelt Mother’s Day photo gift

  • Signature editing, style guidance, and even curated wardrobe options for moms

Close-up of framed torn edge trio artwork from motherhood mini sessionElegant matted album spread with black and white motherhood portraits

Studio Photo Ideas for Mother’s Day – Why These Sessions Matter

Looking for meaningful photo ideas for Mother’s Day? These sessions are built for just that.

Your kids won’t stay little. Your five-year-old will soon be ten, your toddler will stretch into a lanky big kid, and you’ll forget the feeling of their chubby arms around your neck unless you capture it now.

And while I photograph full family sessions year-round, there’s something especially intimate about these minis. It’s just you and your children. Quiet. Focused. Beautiful.

Carlsbad studio photo shoot – photos for Mother’s Day

Year-Round Studio Sessions for Happy Mother’s Day Photos (and Beyond!)

While these Motherhood Minis are only offered once a year, studio sessions are available all year long—and they’re a perfect choice for so many families.

If you’ve ever tried scheduling photos in January through March (or even during May Gray and June Gloom), you know how unpredictable San Diego weather can be. A cozy indoor session means:

  • No chilly mornings or cranky little ones

  • No rescheduling because of cloudy skies or surprise rain

  • A consistent, beautiful setting that puts everyone at ease

Whether you’re planning a full session or looking to capture your own version of happy Mother’s Day photos, a studio shoot offers simplicity, style, and ease.

➡️ View more family portraits here
➡️ Contact me to book a full studio session

Photos of Mother’s Day That You’ll Cherish for a Lifetime

Every spring, I welcome families from Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar, Oceanside, Vista, and beyond for these one-of-a-kind sessions. These are more than just photos of Mother’s Day—they’re love notes in image form.

They book out quickly, so don’t wait!

Want to be the first to know when next year’s dates open?
Join the Motherhood Mini interest list here

And if you’re already on the list—welcome! You’re exactly where you should be.

Soft, modern motherhood portrait session in Carlsbad studio – photos for Mother’s Day

Planning your own photos? Lets chat!

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Families come back to me year after year because they know I’ll capture them as they are—real, imperfect, and beautiful. If you’re ready for photos that feel like your family, I’d love to work with you.

1 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18417423181186510
Families come back to me year after year because they know I’ll capture them as they are—real, imperfect, and beautiful. If you’re ready for photos that feel like your family, I’d love to work with you.

What I want most is for you to feel taken care of from start to finish—planning, session, artwork. You deserve an experience that feels effortless. If that’s what you’re looking for, let’s chat.

5 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18153760048431040
What I want most is for you to feel taken care of from start to finish—planning, session, artwork. You deserve an experience that feels effortless. If that’s what you’re looking for, let’s chat.

Photography isn’t just my career—it’s been my life’s work for more than 20 years. Each session still excites me, and I’d love to bring that passion to your portraits too.

10 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18095247634945166
Photography isn’t just my career—it’s been my life’s work for more than 20 years. Each session still excites me, and I’d love to bring that passion to your portraits too.

One of my favorite murals by @realfunwow 😍

Some of the best photos happen when nothing goes to plan—kids running, wind in the hair, real life unfolding. That’s where the beauty is. If that sounds like your family, I’d love to photograph you.

8 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18111053650639752
One of my favorite murals by @realfunwow 😍 Some of the best photos happen when nothing goes to plan—kids running, wind in the hair, real life unfolding. That’s where the beauty is. If that sounds like your family, I’d love to photograph you.

Full-service photography means I don’t stop at taking pictures—I help you design wall art, albums, and keepsakes you’ll treasure for a lifetime. If you’d like that kind of support, I’d love to work with you.

7 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18068860502539794
Full-service photography means I don’t stop at taking pictures—I help you design wall art, albums, and keepsakes you’ll treasure for a lifetime. If you’d like that kind of support, I’d love to work with you.

I’ve worked with families for generations—sometimes photographing the same people from engagement through grandchildren. It’s an incredible privilege. If you’d like a long-term photographer for your family, let’s connect.

3 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18060646736669792
I’ve worked with families for generations—sometimes photographing the same people from engagement through grandchildren. It’s an incredible privilege. If you’d like a long-term photographer for your family, let’s connect.
Oceanside California beach family portrait photographer

family

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newborn

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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.

Instagram

Families come back to me year after year because they know I’ll capture them as they are—real, imperfect, and beautiful. If you’re ready for photos that feel like your family, I’d love to work with you.

1 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18417423181186510
Families come back to me year after year because they know I’ll capture them as they are—real, imperfect, and beautiful. If you’re ready for photos that feel like your family, I’d love to work with you.

What I want most is for you to feel taken care of from start to finish—planning, session, artwork. You deserve an experience that feels effortless. If that’s what you’re looking for, let’s chat.

5 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18153760048431040
What I want most is for you to feel taken care of from start to finish—planning, session, artwork. You deserve an experience that feels effortless. If that’s what you’re looking for, let’s chat.

Photography isn’t just my career—it’s been my life’s work for more than 20 years. Each session still excites me, and I’d love to bring that passion to your portraits too.

10 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18095247634945166
Photography isn’t just my career—it’s been my life’s work for more than 20 years. Each session still excites me, and I’d love to bring that passion to your portraits too.

One of my favorite murals by @realfunwow 😍

Some of the best photos happen when nothing goes to plan—kids running, wind in the hair, real life unfolding. That’s where the beauty is. If that sounds like your family, I’d love to photograph you.

8 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18111053650639752
One of my favorite murals by @realfunwow 😍 Some of the best photos happen when nothing goes to plan—kids running, wind in the hair, real life unfolding. That’s where the beauty is. If that sounds like your family, I’d love to photograph you.

Full-service photography means I don’t stop at taking pictures—I help you design wall art, albums, and keepsakes you’ll treasure for a lifetime. If you’d like that kind of support, I’d love to work with you.

7 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18068860502539794
Full-service photography means I don’t stop at taking pictures—I help you design wall art, albums, and keepsakes you’ll treasure for a lifetime. If you’d like that kind of support, I’d love to work with you.

I’ve worked with families for generations—sometimes photographing the same people from engagement through grandchildren. It’s an incredible privilege. If you’d like a long-term photographer for your family, let’s connect.

3 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18060646736669792
I’ve worked with families for generations—sometimes photographing the same people from engagement through grandchildren. It’s an incredible privilege. If you’d like a long-term photographer for your family, let’s connect.
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email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

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located in oceanside, california