San Diego newborn photographer

More Than a Photo
a story of your baby’s first days

You're going to want to remember this.

Bringing a new baby into the world is a beautiful, fleeting experience.

Those first weeks fly by in a blur of cuddles and sleepless nights—

your little one changing before your eyes.

 

I understand how quickly these moments slip away...

and that’s why I’m here to help you preserve them in a way that feels effortless and meaningful.

 

With a calm, baby-led approach, I create timeless newborn portraits that

celebrate the magic of life with a new baby and the sweetness of these early days.

 

More than just photographs, these images are transformed into tangible art—

something you can hold, display, and treasure for a lifetime.

no matter how smalla person's a person

AN EASY Newborn Session

Welcoming a new baby is a whirlwind,

so I’ve designed my sessions to be simple and seamless.

 

From outfit guidance to creating a cozy, soothing environment,

I handle the details—

you just enjoy the moment and watch the images unfold.

 

Your baby's comfort comes first— a gentle baby led approach

With years of experience handling newborns,

I ensure every pose is gentle, natural, and baby-led.

Your little one’s comfort always comes first.

 

A Peaceful Studio Setting, Thoughtfully Designed for Newborns

My Carlsbad studio is the perfect space for your newborn session—

filled with soft natural light, calm energy, and everything we need already prepared.

It’s a relaxed, baby-led environment where you can simply show up, settle in,

and let me create timeless portraits of your little one.

the taylorsI am so happy we did this, I treasure these photos more than anything!

TIMELESS SIMPLICITY

My newborn sessions focus on genuine family connections,

capturing this fleeting time in a relaxed, natural way—

in my peaceful Carlsbad studio, designed just for babies and new parents.

 

My style is soft, organic, and baby-led—
I gently guide your little one into comfortable, natural poses without stylizing or using props,

because babies are perfect just as they are.

Tiny fingers wrapped around yours, sleepy smiles, the way they stretch or curl up

these simple, beautiful moments are what I love to capture.

They’re only this little once, and these images are made to last a lifetime.

 

This is how I remember my own babies, and it’s how I photograph yours.

Invest in memories

That last a lifetime -

because they grow and change

in the blink of an eye.

Booking Your Newborn Session

Newborn sessions are typically scheduled within the first 10 days of life,

while your baby is still in that sleepy, curled-up stage.

I recommend booking during your pregnancy to ensure availability for these sessions.

Some families choose to wait a bit, and that's fine too.

I also welcome older newborns and love this more active stage of the newborn era.

 

If you’re ready for a relaxed, full-service photography experience

that captures your baby’s earliest days in the most beautiful way, let’s chat.

You’ll never regret
taking these photos

Ready to chat? Fill out the contact form below!

Not quite ready?

Click here for more info and pricing.

Get in touch

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Pro tip: If you’re preparing for your first days home with a newborn,

The Bump has helpful tips for creating a cozy environment and navigating those early weeks.

 

You can also check out my maternity portraits or see more family sessions as your story grows.

Want to learn about what it’s like in my cozy, light-filled studio?

Get in touch to hear about my studio photography experience.

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.

When extended family portraits are finished and hanging on the wall, they become more than just pictures. They’re heirlooms—reminders of togetherness, milestones, and the bonds that carry through generations.

I love knowing that grandparents will flip through albums with their grandchildren, telling stories and pointing out how small everyone once was. These portraits aren’t just for now—they’re for decades from now, when they’ll mean even more. 💕

That’s why I treasure extended family sessions at the beach. They’re truly a legacy in the making.

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Extended family sessions are joyful, unpredictable, and full of laughter. There’s always a mix of candid chaos—kids running through the sand, cousins tackling each other—and then those quiet, tender moments where generations come together in one frame.

I guide each group so every family has their chance to shine while still keeping the energy light and natural. It’s not about stiff poses; it’s about personalities and connection.

Next up: the best part of all—seeing the finished portraits come to life. 🌅 (3/3 tomorrow!)

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There’s something so special about gathering multiple generations together on the beach. ✨ Parents, grandparents, kids, cousins—all in one place, enjoying the ocean breeze and each other.

Extended family sessions aren’t just about photos; they’re about capturing the love that spans decades. These are the kinds of moments that deserve to be preserved, not just for today but for years from now when the littles are grown.

Tomorrow I’ll share what makes extended family sessions so much fun (and why they’re one of my favorite things to photograph). 🌊 (2/3 coming next!)

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There’s something about that first time your baby wraps their fingers around yours.
It’s instinct, sure—but it’s also connection.
A silent little promise: I know you. I trust you. I’m safe here.
They won’t remember this moment, but you will.
And years from now, you’ll look at this photo and remember exactly how it felt.
That’s the power of something so small.

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First father-son moments. My newborn style is simple, no props, just beautiful portraits to capture the tininess of your new baby.

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Not trying to be dramatic- just honest. This season flies.

#TheEverydayPortrait #DocumentYourDays #FamilyPhotography #ModernParenthood #LetThemBeLittle  #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #carlsbadphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #oceansidephotographer  #sandiego #carlsbadbeach #carlsbadbeachphotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #carlsbad #lajolla #encinitas #sandiegolifestylephotographer #encinitaslife #lajollaphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #familybeachphotos #familyphotography #familyphotographer #carlsbadfamily #vallentynephotography #carlsbadcalifornia 
  #carlsbadphotographer  #oceansideca  lifornia  #oceansidepier  #oceansidephotograpapher

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california