{santa barbara weekend :part 1: justin and mayumi}

This past weekend I headed up to Santa Barbara to visit friends and do a few photo shoots I have been conceptualizing and thinking about for a while. I absolutely love shooting weddings but when it comes down to it, there is always an important schedule to follow. This is what makes it different from a commercial shoot where I can direct the whole thing according to my shots.

Last summer I shot the wedding of Justin and Mayumi in Carpinteria, California. Justin and I already knew each other and I quickly discovered how sweet and perfect for Justin his fiance Mayumi was. The reception was held at their family’s home on an avocado grove overlooking the ocean. I was completely amazed by the beauty of the area and since we didn’t have time to shoot around the property I already knew I wanted to go back to do another shoot with the couple. Some people call it a “trash the dress shoot”…I am not sure about that name but I absolutely love doing post-wedding photos. These are some of my favorite images from the day!








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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.⁠
*
*
*
*
*
#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
They’ll never be this tiny again. Every newborn is a once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece—just days old, yet already entirely themselves. These early moments are fleeting, raw, and unrepeatable. Capture them not just for now, but for the decades ahead when these sleepy yawns and curled-up fingers feel like a dream.

#newbornphotography #tinytoesbiglove #oceansidephotographer #carlsbadnewbornphotographer #newbornportraits #northcountysandiego #babyphotographer #motherhoodunplugged #newbornmagic #vallentynephotography
Because the truth is—your kids probably won’t sit still.⁠⁣
They’ll make silly faces, run in opposite directions, or collapse into giggles just when you were hoping for that “one perfect shot.”⁣
⁠⁣
And honestly? That’s exactly what I want to capture.⁠⁣
⁠⁣
The real smiles. The chaos. The snuggles. The way your toddler leans into you when they're tired, or how your baby clutches your finger like it’s the most important thing in the world.⁣
⁠⁣
That’s the good stuff.⁣
⁠⁣
And those are the moments you’ll actually want to remember.⁠
There’s something so special about gathering the whole family—generations together, kids running barefoot through the sand, golden light pouring in.

This sunset session was filled with tiny, beautiful moments: a toddler twirling in her grandma’s arms, cousins holding hands, laughter between siblings who’ve grown up side by side.

It’s these in-between moments that mean the most. The ones that tell the real story of your family—just as you are, right now.

#CarlsbadPhotographer #CarlsbadBeach #OceansidePhotographer #SanDiegoFamilyPhotographer #NorthCountyPhotographer #FamilyBeachPhotos #CarlsbadFamilyPhotographer #OceansideBeachPhotography #ExtendedFamilySession #NaturalFamilyPhotography #SunsetFamilyPhotos #SoCalFamilyPhotographer #HeirloomPhotography #FamilyPhotosCarlsbad #carlsbadportraitphotographer
They say a day well lived makes every yesterday a dream—and I believe it. These really are the best days of our lives. Not because they’re perfect, but because they’re filled with love, laughter, and those tiny everyday moments that make life beautiful—if we pause long enough to notice.

Today reminded me how important it is to slow down. To take a breath, step away from the hustle, and make space for the in-between moments that are everything.♥️

#carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #love #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidephotographer #familytime #familyfirst

 

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 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.⁠
*
*
*
*
*
#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
They’ll never be this tiny again. Every newborn is a once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece—just days old, yet already entirely themselves. These early moments are fleeting, raw, and unrepeatable. Capture them not just for now, but for the decades ahead when these sleepy yawns and curled-up fingers feel like a dream.

#newbornphotography #tinytoesbiglove #oceansidephotographer #carlsbadnewbornphotographer #newbornportraits #northcountysandiego #babyphotographer #motherhoodunplugged #newbornmagic #vallentynephotography
Because the truth is—your kids probably won’t sit still.⁠⁣
They’ll make silly faces, run in opposite directions, or collapse into giggles just when you were hoping for that “one perfect shot.”⁣
⁠⁣
And honestly? That’s exactly what I want to capture.⁠⁣
⁠⁣
The real smiles. The chaos. The snuggles. The way your toddler leans into you when they're tired, or how your baby clutches your finger like it’s the most important thing in the world.⁣
⁠⁣
That’s the good stuff.⁣
⁠⁣
And those are the moments you’ll actually want to remember.⁠
There’s something so special about gathering the whole family—generations together, kids running barefoot through the sand, golden light pouring in.

This sunset session was filled with tiny, beautiful moments: a toddler twirling in her grandma’s arms, cousins holding hands, laughter between siblings who’ve grown up side by side.

It’s these in-between moments that mean the most. The ones that tell the real story of your family—just as you are, right now.

#CarlsbadPhotographer #CarlsbadBeach #OceansidePhotographer #SanDiegoFamilyPhotographer #NorthCountyPhotographer #FamilyBeachPhotos #CarlsbadFamilyPhotographer #OceansideBeachPhotography #ExtendedFamilySession #NaturalFamilyPhotography #SunsetFamilyPhotos #SoCalFamilyPhotographer #HeirloomPhotography #FamilyPhotosCarlsbad #carlsbadportraitphotographer
They say a day well lived makes every yesterday a dream—and I believe it. These really are the best days of our lives. Not because they’re perfect, but because they’re filled with love, laughter, and those tiny everyday moments that make life beautiful—if we pause long enough to notice.

Today reminded me how important it is to slow down. To take a breath, step away from the hustle, and make space for the in-between moments that are everything.♥️

#carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #love #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidephotographer #familytime #familyfirst

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california