sValentine Photos's Blog

Sagee Manor ~ Highlands NC, the Largest & MOST Beautiful Visual Tour in my 12 year history

admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:26:40 +0000

I have been working on my new story of my life recently, and it has really helped me get a better perspective on things as I want them to be. Anyway, I recently had the honor of photographing the largest and the most beautiful home in the universe. I could not say this if it were not for the graciousness of my awesome boss, Barbara Johnson, at the time for hiring me as her full time Administrative Assistant. Since she was already a top producing agent, she had a caliber of listings. In September of 2000, my very first day, I helped her sell a $900,000 house site, unseen, all because I could email jpeg pictures to her perspective client. No Lie! Shortly after Prudential Florida WCI Realty, had introduced to their agents a marketing tool software for listings called Visual Tour. In order for your listing to get in the corporate ad in the newspaper you had to have a tour! This was in 2000, 12 years ago. Seriously. The camera that I check out of the office was a Sony Mavica that took floppy disks. Not soon after, I started a part-time business called Sarah’s Visual Tours. Fast Forward 12 years to Sagee Manor tour that I photographed with my 3rd Canon 5d Mark II in Highlands, NC. WoW! Talk about a milestone! Not only for me but the marketing aspect, the technology, the consistancy, the love of craft, love of homes, the love of helping people, but also the business. Just goes to show that the Real Estate Market is still very strong in some areas, and not so in others, I hate to say…When I started it was seriously booming on Marco Island Florida and when I moved to Highlands NC in 2002 it was there as well. I have had such a great journey with having the honor to grace their presence in any shape or form. They tell a story about the people who live in them and cared about them. Even though, most of the time I photograph them without the owners inside, mainly because they were mostly second homes, I looked at the walls at their portraits and pulled them out in my mind when I photograph the house. I staged it as if they were there loving the place, knowing that thats how they would want me to project something so special. The house that I am about to present to you came to me because I fell in love with their gardens long before they even thought about selling it. In 2009, they had garden tours to raise money for mission trips to Haiti. I offered to photograph and the proceeds would go to their mission. I was not allowed inside but I covered most of the grounds. The grounds were beyond any garden I had ever seen. The house was a statue, all its own, among many. The whole presence of the property had been years of crafting in every detail imaginable. An extreme work of art! So when I was asked to photograph the inside, I was so excited. It was everything I imagined and then some. Took me days not hours. There were more details that a mind could take in at any one time or even a day. I would have to live there for 2 weeks to really cover it all. This is what I got from the garden tour as well as the 2 days he gave photographers to shoot his house. The house is featured in the latest DuPont Registry this month.

The main web site is here http://sageemanor.com/ My tour for Country Club Properties is here

The Titanic Prom Night for Highlands High School April 21, 2012

admin — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:42:46 +0000

It’s that time of year, when girls and boys start thinking about dresses and tuxes, a really fun time in a teenagers life. I remember my first prom in the 9th grade, yes the 9th grade, I am tall, so I attracted the older guys. I met him at a school dance at my boarding school called Oldfields. My first school dance, My first experience with make-up, the first time I fell in LOVE at a dance. His name was Tommy, otherwise known to his class-mates at “T-Bird”. He was the Varsity Lacrosse Captain of Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA. So, when he invited me to his prom, I was seriously on Cloud 9! My Mom sent me one of her beautiful dresses that she had, and I was so excited, I felt like Cinderella. Not dressed in yellow, but in a gorgeous silk taffeta turquoise dress with hot pink trim. The top was like a tube top. To my dismay,and knowledge of how to dress, and lack of breasts for better words….I did not know about strapless, padded bras at the time. Even though my Mom sent the dress, she forgot to tell me about what to wear underneath…. So after the prom and looking at my photos…I was not happy Tip: Before going to the prom, make sure you get a second opinion from someone who might have a little experience in fashion after you put it on. Have a pre-prom dress up to make sure you have everything in place! ) PLEASE! While I am getting geared up to photograph some Prom Ladies tonight, I will be looking for those red flags, and maybe can help someone with some “Fashion” tips, as I have been there and done that, I would not want anyone to have to go through what I did on my first Prom date. One of the ladies I will be photographing is in the Class of 2013 at Highlands High School, and I am looking forward to capturing her for her Senior Portraits. I know its going to be hard to give her a consult because she is probably one of the busiest, soon to be Seniors I know…She is very involved in her sports, job, and school activities. When I was talking to her Mom, to find out when would be a good time to talk, it was really hard to pin point a time. But all the same, I know that with perseverance I will have the pleasure of getting to know this emerging lady from the CLASS OF 2013. Well, last night was a blast. Totally opposite of what I went through. 5 girls all getting ready at one place. Caroline had invited a few of her friends to get ready…It was All about the fake eyelashes…I had so much fun watching the girls, watching the Mothers watch their girls and then the flurry of Mothers who were all there every step of the way until they had their private room in the back of Wolfgangs for Dinner…Here are a few from last night just to give an idea of how beautiful the ladies were all dressed up and the boys looking as dapper as ever!

Hollie + Justin’s Wedding March 31, 2012 @ Old Edwards Inn at the Farm Highlands, NC

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:30:44 +0000

Hollie + Justin’s Wedding was a monumental day for themselves, family, and friends. They had been dating for 8 years, and got married on March 31, 2012. All of their Family & Friends were there to witness this striking couple who came to Highlands, NC to have the ceremony at one of the most beautiful destination Wedding locations in the World, Old Edwards Inn at the Farm. They asked me to capture all the details that it took, to put this magical day together. The photo of the rings, watch, cuff links, pearl, and boutonnière is what Justin timely put together for me to capture. Even though the watch was unique, I now appreciate the date and time on the watch to indicate this day in time. The colors of purple were everywhere, including the dress that Belle wore, who happens to be Hollie’s daughter. I was so smitten with the idea that Justin is the coach of Belle’s softball team, that I brought out a baseball bat, glove and ball for them to play ball with while I took pictures…

Love is in the Air for Christina + Tyler’s Wedding at Dry Falls Highlands NC

admin — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:03:05 +0000

I just fall in love every day! I get to photograph the most beautiful people, at the most beautiful places in the World! This has to be the most beautiful Wedding I had had the honor to photograph. I probably say that every time I have a Wedding, but this one stole my heart. It could not be more simple and elegant at the same time, because they used God’s Most Beautiful Gifts as their backdrop. You can hear, taste, and feel the water that enveloped us the entire ceremony. Combined with the power of love this couple had at one of the most famous landmarks in Highlands, NC known as Dry Falls is beyond words. Just Breathtaking! I need not say more…the pictures speaks volumes.

Your Family Photographer For Many Generations to Come

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:55:40 +0000

When I started practicing Portrait Photography in my dining room a few years back, I had no idea that I would be documenting Families growth. Now that I have been in the business of being a Portrait & Wedding Photographer for a little while, I have seen it and felt the true love of watching a couple get married with my Wedding photos, to the bride getting pregnant for my Maternity Session , having the baby for a Newborn Session, and the Milestones for their first child! I tell you, it can not get any better than that. I have been truly blessed by the repeat customers that have come my way. When I opened Valentine’s Photo Studio, I had no idea this was going to happen…now I totally embrace this and hope to be a part of Families for many generations to come. There is nothing more rewarding than being so close to one Family. I hope to one day be a Family name in everyones household in the Highlands~Cashiers Plateau area for taking the Best Family Portraits Ever! I created a video of one such Family from their Wedding, all the way up to their son’s First Cake Smash, so you too can see how valuable it is to have the same photographer throughout your Major Milestones!

Turning a Negative into a Positive

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:41:01 +0000

Ever since I became a part of Social Media, I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of people’s lives that I would not otherwise be a part of, I probably would not have gone to my High School Alumnae Weekend at Oldfields School. So, that being said…it has its drawbacks too…it can rob you of your time let alone your spiritual growth. You think its benefiting you to be a part of 100′s of people lives on one page…but is it sincere? To me, on certain levels, it is…if I am taking the time to wish someone Happy :) Birthday or even “Like” lets people know you are thinking of them…If it works or does not work for them is another story. However…I found myself making it a priority and not realizing it was taking all my time away from my creative side, my home, or my core, let alone the rest of my marketing with my blog or web site….This all came about after I had lost internet for a full 24 hours with Hughesnet…For Once in my life,I am GRATEFUL that my internet went down…and after I had an 8:30 morning meeting with my incredibly awesome Business Coach & Realtor, Susie Schiffli of Innovation Compass & White Oak Realty, whom I met for our first Coaching Session, and brought me to tears, bringing me down to the core to what may be holding me back from being more successful. What I had realized during our meeting that I had to start with taking a personal responsibility for my home life that was still living out of boxes…So after our meeting even though I had a serious Allergy infection and was in a total fog, I pressed forward and brought out those boxes that held me back, while I did it, I noticed that I got better, the fog was lifted! It seemed as though while I was sorting through those boxes and getting rid of the trash that took up way too much space, actually cluttered my thinking and added un-needed stress in my life as a whole. I did not climb Mount Everest…but I climbed Mount Washington….I truly saw the value in something terribly simple. You would not believe the tremendous amount of Clarity that came from yesterday…just from throwing out all the negative space that was taking up all my new Positive Space I would highly recommend Business Coaching if you really want to clear out the reasons that may be holding you back from being a totally successful business woman or man. Think of it as “Thinking Outside of the Box” in more ways you could ever imagine! This is not only for other professional photographers but for all the people that make a living doing what they love. So I will spend less time on Social Media and more time on my core values and my home life that includes a Rabbit named Rainy, My Cat named Jasper and my awesome dog named Daisy. I am sharing a recent photo that I took of Daisy in my studio for Easter Portrait Sessions for Pet Portraits. Our pets do not live long enough…and recently Daisy was diagnosed with Kidney Failure by one vet and got diagnosed that she has Addison’s Disease by another…so one day I thought I was going to lose her and then the next she can live a happy and healthy life with a daily dose of Predisone and a monthly & costly shot of Pecorten. High monthly maintenance but a life time with my best friend. So taking her picture allows me to document a life that gives me more unconditional love that anyone on this planet. I hope that everyone who reads this understands Life is Way to Short to waste on excuses, and call me to capture their loved ones before its too late and they are gone from our lives…either for good or moved away or too busy….Hold the Memories with a personalized Portrait Session at Valentine’s Photo Studio. If money is an issue from keeping you to Holding those Memories…I do take Installments…I want everyone to be able to walk in these doors and get rid of those excuses that plague our every day lives…that keep us from our core values. Let me lift your spirits up for many years to come by capturing those Memories that mean so much to Us.

The Easter Bunny LOVES Valentine’s Photo Studio

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:30:30 +0000

March 4, 2012 was a monumental day for us in the Studio…Realizing the true beauty of photographing families growing up; From the Wedding all the way through to the First Year Cake Smash!

…not to mention that the Easter Bunny is seriously kicking up her heels! She is way too excited and moving around too fast to get a good shot. After the Easter Bunny appeared for the Easter Portrait Session we got to photograph our first 1 Year Cake Smash with someone we have been photographing since he was in his Mother’s Tummy…The little boy actually reunites with the Easter Bunny once AGAIN! ♥ I am truly beyond words of how much this truly means to me and the Valentine’s Photo Studio ♥ The Studio has only been here since April of 2010 but I plan to be here for Generations to Come. As the families grow, I grow along with them! If you are interested in our Easter Portraits we are offering Easter Portrait SPECIALS! Be Sure to call if your are considering one because the schedule for the month of March is filling FAST! CATCH THE EASTER BUNNY WHILE YOU CAN!

Help for the Cashiers Highlands Humane with Glamour photos of all the Animals

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:52:11 +0000

I have been an animal lover ever since I can remember…My family use to breed and train dogs for Field trials while I was growing up…My Mother met her last husband at a Field Trial…and I pushed little baby puppies around in my carriage…one of my chores growing up was to clean out the dog runs we had in the back of our house in Richmond, Va. So I know the ins and outs of having a pet. What I can not stand is pets without loving homes. I have always adopted and found that they can be more loving and reliable than some of the pure breeds or bought animals I have had…the one I have now was a gift for my 40th Birthday from my Mother but the rest of the 3 dogs and one cat have been adopted. I see a huge trend with the economy today that people are giving up their animals because they can no longer take care of them because of the cost…I know full well of the costs of having animals and truthfully I would starve before I would give up any of them…Believe me my animals often eat better than me…cause I know that the rewards of having that unconditional love is way more important to me than food for me. For some time, I have wanted to give something back to all the animals that have saved me when I adopted them. So I paired up with my local Humane and took my backdrop and lights and set up a little studio right in their little office and took pictures of all of the animals there that needed homes and even the ones that were adopted to show the kind of animals that can be found. With the help of a few friends that one by one brought them in front of me to capture their character and souls. It was the hardest day in photography for me…yet the most rewarding…I wanted to take them all home…But maybe this way I can find them all a home! If you happen to see someone you might like to adopt and bring home you can call the Cashiers Highlands Humane Society at 828-743-5752

Free Sitting Fees on Sundays

admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:16:47 +0000

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 so that everyone who may have wanted to come into the studio and thought they could not afford it can come…I truly love what I do and I love this community. Spread the word and let the studio Shine from the smiles that are photographed inside those walls. Wonderful new decorations were hung and carefully placed by my awesome neighbor and friend, Amanda Crowe, last Wednesday. The studio looks absolutely beautiful. Now I just need the town to fill it with their smiles I will be walking around town with Flyers leaving them everywhere and anywhere letting people know about my offer in case they do not know about it through this blog or Facebook. In the mean time I already had an adorable little girl named Leela and a great Mom come in on Thursday to give it a test drive….If you are interested in coming any Sunday between 5-7 and taking me up on my offer, contact me and make an appointment. No walk-ins, Sorry…You can email me at Sarah@sValentinephotos.com or call 828.526.0368. I look forward to hearing from you.

Newborn Sessions and the importance of Props

admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:03:53 +0000

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 bag chair and found used the biggest window in the home. Since then I have found that each time I have a newborn session I have used various props to invoke a special feeling and originality to make each Newborn session a unique as possible, as unique as the special Newborn that I am photographing. So no two newborn session are a like…that is why I am always on the search for new ideas from this great web site called PropInsanity.com. Here are a few samples from my latest Newborn Sessions. I truly get such an inspiration whenever I have a Mother to Be who wants a Newborn Session and I find out a little about the Mother and how she is going to decorate the baby’s room….I would travel far and wide to photograph Newborns. They are my most favorite of muses to photograph. Whenever I done one, I feel like I am on cloud nine after each Newborn Session. They take my breath away!