{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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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
Photography isn’t just about taking pictures—it’s about holding onto memories.⁣
⁣
I want you to look back at these photos and remember the way it felt to hold your kids, the sound of their little laugh, and all those tiny moments that make this time so special.⁣
⁣
Because they’re only this little once. 💕⁣
⁣
Book your session today! Link in bio.

 

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.

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
Photography isn’t just about taking pictures—it’s about holding onto memories.⁣
⁣
I want you to look back at these photos and remember the way it felt to hold your kids, the sound of their little laugh, and all those tiny moments that make this time so special.⁣
⁣
Because they’re only this little once. 💕⁣
⁣
Book your session today! Link in bio.

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california