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📷 Kids, Animals & Those Who Love Them
Capturing connection, personality & today's priceless moments
👇🏼 Choose to Be You

This quote by Toni Morrison stopped me today. How

This quote by Toni Morrison stopped me today.

How often do we let the world define who we are, what we’re capable of or what our story means?

This week, I’m choosing to remember: we get to define our own legacy.

What word are you choosing for yourself this week?

#MotivationMonday #Legacy #PortraitPhotography #FamilyStory #MeaningfulMonday

It’s Friday, and I’m spending the next few days we

It’s Friday, and I’m spending the next few days wearing one of my other hats, Certified Athletic Trainer, covering girls lacrosse camps through the weekend.

And today, I found myself so inspired watching these athletes.

Their strength.
Their confidence.
Their focus.
Their willingness to learn, work, push, grow and keep showing up for themselves.

There is something powerful about watching young women step into what they are capable of, not because someone handed it to them, but because they are building it, one skill, one practice and one brave moment at a time.

And honestly, that is one of the things I love most, whether I’m on the field or behind the camera.

I love encouraging women to see themselves clearly.
To recognize their strength.
To own their beauty.
To stand in the woman they are becoming, the woman they already are and the woman their friends and family already see.

That’s why I’m so excited for my upcoming Parachute Gown Sessions.

I’m looking for 3 women who are ready to experience something bold, beautiful and empowering.

This is for the woman who is ready to see herself as strong.
As worthy.
As accomplished.
As powerful.
As soft and fierce.
As the woman she has worked so hard to become.

Maybe you need to be reminded of your strength.
Maybe you’re celebrating a new chapter.
Maybe you’re ready to finally see yourself the way the people who love you already do.

Let’s do this.

I have space for 3 women for these upcoming Parachute Gown Sessions. If this is speaking to you, send me a message. I would love to create something unforgettable with you.

#ParachuteGownSession #EmpoweredWomen #WomensPortraits #SantaBarbaraPhotographer #PortraitExperience WomenSupportingWomen StrengthAndBeauty ConfidenceSession CelebrateYourself YouArePowerful

I am so honored and grateful to be nominated for @

I am so honored and grateful to be nominated for @sbindependent Best of Photographer 2026!

Voting opens today, and I would be so thankful for your vote this month.

Last year, I was incredibly honored to be named runner-up, and it was even more special because the winner was a dear friend of mine. What a gift to share space in a community filled with so much talent, heart and creativity.

To everyone who has supported me, trusted me and invited me into your lives, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to photograph your families, your children, your pets, your businesses and your beautiful stories. Thank you for letting me help empower you to see yourself the way others see you, with love, strength, beauty and joy.

And to everyone who has participated in my charity fundraisers, thank you for helping me use photography to give back to causes that matter.

I am so excited for this year, for the stories still to be told, for the families and businesses I’ll get to watch grow and for the memories we’ll create together.

If my work has touched your life in some way, I would be so grateful for your vote for Best of Photographer 2026 through @sbindependent. (I’m in the Romance section of course)

Thank you for being part of this journey. I appreciate you more than words can say.

Thank you,
Valerie

#BestOf2026 #SBIndependent #BestOfPhotographer #SantaBarbaraPhotographer #FamilyPhotographer PortraitPhotographer BrandingPhotographer PetPhotographer CommunityOverCompetition GratefulPhotographer VoteLocal SupportLocalArtists

Sometimes the ones who help us feel most like ours

Sometimes the ones who help us feel most like ourselves are the little hands that reach for us, the paws that follow us from room to room, or the quiet souls who love us without asking us to be anything but real.

That is what I love to preserve.

Not stiff poses. Not forced smiles.

The connection. The comfort. The confidence that comes from being loved exactly as you are.

My sessions are designed to be consultative, relaxed and focused on real interaction so we can create artwork that reflects the people and pets who make this season of life meaningful.

Because your love deserves to be seen every day.

If there is someone, or some furry someone, who brings out the best in you, send me a message. Let’s plan something beautiful together.

#existinphotos #santabarbaraphotographer #santabarbarapetphotographer #santabarbarastyle #loveyourlife

Some Mondays we all need this reminder… ✨ You are

Some Mondays we all need this reminder…

✨ You are amazing.

Not because of everything you do.
Not because of the roles you fill.
Not because of the expectations you meet.

You are amazing simply because you’re you.

You were never meant to fit into one box. You can be strong and gentle, ambitious and present, creative and practical—all at the same time.

Here’s to celebrating every chapter of your story. 💛

What is one thing about yourself you’re proud of today?

#MotivationMonday #YouAreAmazing #CelebrateYourStory #WomenSupportingWomen #Confidence EmpoweredWomen BeYourself ImagesByValerie

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© 2026 Images by Valerie

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