{santa barbara weekend :part 3: couture wedding fashion}


The 3rd day of my trip was something I have been looking forward to for a while. I have always loved the California coastline North of Santa Barbara. From camping at El Capitan, surfing at Jalama, to wine tasting in Los Olivos, it is an incredible place to visit at any time of year. Since I already knew I would be up there (see the previous 2 posts:) I decided to self-produce a bridal fashion shoot. I started my career in photography coordinating editorial fashion shoots so this is familiar territory for me, and something I love to do.

I was luck enough to be able to borrow 3 gorgeous gowns from Chez Bride Moderne, all designed by Valena Valentina….they were amazing!!

Here are a few of my favorite images from the shoot:






Thank you so much to my 3 beautiful models, Lauren of JetSet La Jolla, Sarah, and Melissa of Sleek Models Santa Barbara. You were all wonderful to work with and I look forward to doing it again in the future!

Gowns on loan from Chez Bride Moderne, La Jolla
All gowns designed by Valena Valentina
Hair and make-up by Hanalei Spengler and Jill Hedeler
Geena of Bella Fiori Flowers: Solvang, CA, Phone: (805) 693-1111

 

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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
Sometimes the most iconic settings are the simplest. A lifeguard tower, the ocean behind you, and everyone piled close together. It’s not about posing—it’s about capturing what your family looks like in this season, right here, right now.

#carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #oceansidephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #familyphotographer #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #DocumentYourDays #TheEverydayPortrait
If you’ve ever wondered if your kids will “sit still” for photos, here’s your answer. They won’t—and that’s perfect. The best images come from movement, laughter, and letting kids be exactly who they are.

#VallentynePhotography #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidefamilyphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #delmarfamilyphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #ranchosantafefamilyphotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #carlsbadphotographer #oceansidephotographer #encinitasphotographer #delmarphotographer #lajollaphotographer #ranchosantafephotographer #beachfamilyphotos #familyphotographer #familyphotography #lifestylefamilyphotography #joyfulfamilyphotos #naturalfamilyphotography #portraitphotographer #sandiegolifestylephotographer #northcountysandiego #southerncaliforniaphotographer #vallentynephotography #timelessportraiture
Class of 2026… your turn is right around the corner.
This season always feels a little magical to me—capturing who they are right now, before everything shifts and they step into their next chapter.
If you’re ready to start planning your senior session, let’s make something beautiful together.

XO, Heather
Are you ready to start planning your photos? Send me a message and we’ll chat!

 

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.

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
Sometimes the most iconic settings are the simplest. A lifeguard tower, the ocean behind you, and everyone piled close together. It’s not about posing—it’s about capturing what your family looks like in this season, right here, right now.

#carlsbadphotographer #sandiegophotographer #encinitasphotographer #oceansidephotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #southerncaliforniaphotographer #northcountysandiego #carlsbadcalifornia #oceansidecalifornia #familyphotographer #familyphotography #vallentynephotography #DocumentYourDays #TheEverydayPortrait
If you’ve ever wondered if your kids will “sit still” for photos, here’s your answer. They won’t—and that’s perfect. The best images come from movement, laughter, and letting kids be exactly who they are.

#VallentynePhotography #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidefamilyphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #delmarfamilyphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #ranchosantafefamilyphotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #carlsbadphotographer #oceansidephotographer #encinitasphotographer #delmarphotographer #lajollaphotographer #ranchosantafephotographer #beachfamilyphotos #familyphotographer #familyphotography #lifestylefamilyphotography #joyfulfamilyphotos #naturalfamilyphotography #portraitphotographer #sandiegolifestylephotographer #northcountysandiego #southerncaliforniaphotographer #vallentynephotography #timelessportraiture
Class of 2026… your turn is right around the corner.
This season always feels a little magical to me—capturing who they are right now, before everything shifts and they step into their next chapter.
If you’re ready to start planning your senior session, let’s make something beautiful together.

XO, Heather
Are you ready to start planning your photos? Send me a message and we’ll chat!

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california