Free Sitting Fees on Sundays
With Each Free Half Hour Sitting Fee on Sundays between 5-7, you pay only $30 to purchase prints of any size….I know everyone including myself is in a slump due to the economy. I could not think of a better way to get out of this slump by offering a special deal [...]
Newborn Sessions and the importance of Props
Before I opened Valentine’s Photo Studio last year, I started out by turning my dining room into a studio so I could practice. But for my first Newborn Session, I actually went to the parents home. My first Newborn prop was a borrowed bean bag chair and black felt material to completely cover the bean [...]
Let the Holidays Begin…Holiday Photos make Great Presents!
A Week ago was Halloween…next comes Thanksgiving and then Christmas….Make the most from the Holidays with Portraits of your loved ones as gifts for the Holidays…either by a creative Christmas card sent to everyone you know and or a Framed Heirloom or a beautiful Canvas Wrap….Here is a story that I regret to tell that [...]
Beautiful Saturday for a Beautiful Wedding at Old Edwards Inn
This past Saturday, Andy + Paula were beautifully married at one of the hottest Wedding destinations around the world, Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, NC. It was definitely not hot in temperature, but a cool 60 degrees and the fall colors were enveloping our surroundings to make for a wonderful back drop. Perfect conditions for [...]
Sophisticated Senior Portrait Session @ Valentine’s Photo Studio
Bryon blossomed for the camera! I was told that he hated to have his picture taken and would be difficult. So I pulled out all my vices and started with what I knew he loved most, Soccer! I was once a Varsity Captain on my Soccer team and knew a little bit about the game…it [...]
Long Time Experience with Real Estate Photography
I have been photographing homes, businesses and developments professionally since 2000. Its been my bread and butter. It literally fell in my lap. I was working for a top producing Real Estate Agent as a administrator assistant. One day my boss tells me about this new marketing product called Visual Tours. She said I would [...]
Shawn & Shanone’s Wedding ~ Total Romance Package
Shawn & Shanone are the most wonderful couple you could ever meet. Not only are they striking but a really fun couple. I first met them we had done an engagement session back in March. We chose the Farm because of its lush gardens and backdrops. I feel the wedding came out 10 times better [...]
I LOVE NEWBORN SESSIONS
Newborn Session are my most favorite subjects to photograph more than anything in the world. I normally like to photograph newborns within the first two weeks of birth. They are just a lot easier to manage to get the results you want but there are times that the Mother can not bring the baby to [...]
Photo Preview of the Laurel Garden Kitchen Tour
I have been working on this special project for the local Laurel Garden Club of Highlands NC for their annual garden tour for the past several months. The Tour of Kitchens will take place this fall from 9 to 5, Saturday, September 24th. Tickets are available online at HighlandsLaurelGardenClub.com. I have to say its some of [...]
The Connection is Very Important on your Wedding Day with your Photographer
I have now had two weddings that I have photographed that I did not meet the bride before the wedding and it never pays off. I just do not feel the connection during the wedding. Even if I ask a series of personal questions, the face to face connection, the intimate conversations about the day, [...]
My Fine Art Documentary Photography
On a good day….Which is most..I wake up at 5 am every morning, have a cup of OJ, make the coffee, feed the animals, have a cup of Jo and head to wonderful home office and look at what needs to be done or plan on what I need to take for a shoot usually [...]
It’s the in between shoots that really surprise me
Today is a wonderful holiday called Memorial day. Not only does it really start the summer season but it represents all of the fallen heroes that have served our country. It begins the time of the year when we all somehow get together and create a holiday feeling for our family and friends. This is [...]
Mother’s Day Family Portrait Session
Before I left for Baltimore, I sent out an email to all my friends and family in Baltimore, Md to set up Family Portrait Session after my 3 day stint at Oldfields School Alumnae Weekend April 14-17. My Mother was the first one to respond requesting a session of my own Family. What a MOM! [...]
Event Photographer goes back to High School
Over 3 years ago, I went back to my old High School called Oldfields School for an Alumnae Weekend. It’s a beautiful and wonderful all girls boarding school and day school located in the town of Glencoe outside of Baltimore, Md. I spent 4 great years there. I was usually found at the barn riding [...]
March 19, 2011~Super Moon Saturday
I was so slammed on March 19th, 2011. I had 4 separate sessions; Engagement, Wedding, Newborn and a 4 hour 70th Birthday Party. I truly wonder if the super moon had anything to do with it. I apologize for not being more up to date with my blog. I have found getting a new laptop [...]
Valentine’s Photo Studio Gets All New Equipment ~ YaY!
Thankfully, I kept serial numbers, receipts and records of all my equipment so when it was stolen, I could prove to the Insurance company what I had and what was taken from the Studio on January 24th. Now, I have all new equipment! I have the Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L, Canon 24-70 [...]
Free Mini Sessions
Some time ago, I had brought up the topic of Free Mini Sessions during the month of February for the “Joy of Love” campaign for the love of Photography. I thought it would be a great idea to set up mini sessions where they at least get one digital photo file Free. Since then a [...]
Holly & Gordon’s Wedding in Highlands NC @ Old Edwards Inn & Spa
Holly and Gordon were the most wonderful couple I had to photograph for a wedding. It kind of helped that their colors were red, all the way down to the brides shoes. So before the wedding I had asked permission to use their photos for my promotional piece since my studio colors are red, black [...]
Holly & Gordon’s Wedding 02.04.11 at Old Edwards Inn & Spa, Highlands, NC
Holly & Gordon were my ideal couple of life! We had so much fun! They were so willing to play and we played around with so much. Here is just a small sample of how this couple really were like. I was so thrilled with her colors, I asked her to help promote my wedding [...]
Highlands NC Portrait Photographer is working on the Joy of Love in February
I am constantly trying to find new ways to improve the quality of my portraits and my theory is…practice practice practice….I came across an awesome project that I am going to need help with. During the month of February, I will receive an email each day from Willette Designs http://www.willettedesigns.com/newsite/wordpress/ . “participants will receive daily [...]