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A fun and unique holiday photo experience

Where the holidays and your unique personalities meet

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

Sometimes we spend so much time taking care of eve

Sometimes we spend so much time taking care of everyone else that we forget to take care of ourselves. 💙

Last night I did something I honestly hadn’t done in well over a year…

I got a massage.

And apparently, my body had some things to say about that. 😂

It was exactly the self-care I didn’t realize just how badly I needed.

And the really cool part? I met the woman who gave me the massage through networking.

One connection led to another… and suddenly I was on a massage table thinking, “Why have I waited THIS long?” 🤣

This morning I’m heading down to the harbor to meet up with some women, connect, have a hot chocolate, maybe take a walk, and just spend some time being around good people.

Because I’m realizing more and more that self-care doesn’t always have to look like a spa day.

Sometimes it’s a massage.

Sometimes it’s a walk.

Sometimes it’s a hot chocolate and a conversation.

Sometimes it’s laughing with women who understand the season of life you’re in.

And sometimes it’s simply giving yourself permission to slow down for a minute.

So today I’m filling my cup. ☕️💙

And maybe that’s your little reminder to fill yours, too.

Thank you @carlafaymassageandskin @iamnicolemichelle and see you soon @upliftingourwellness

Mom, how many pictures are on your phone of everyo

Mom, how many pictures are on your phone of everyone you love… and how many are actually WITH you? 💙

I know. I’ve been there, too. 😉

The years when they’re little.

The years when they’re suddenly taller than you.

The years when everyone’s schedules are completely ridiculous.

The years when the dog becomes part of the family.

And the years when you realize things are changing faster than you thought they would.

There is no “perfect” time for family pictures.

There is just this version of your family.

The people you love.
The personalities you know by heart.
The chaos.
The laughter.
The hugs.
The pets who absolutely refuse to cooperate. 😂
And YOU, right there in the middle of it.

That’s what I want to photograph.

Not perfection.

Your people. Exactly as they are right now.

Because someday, these are going to be the photographs you wish you had more of.

So if you’ve been saying, “We really need to get family pictures done…”

Maybe this is your sign. 💙

Let’s make sure Mom exists in the photos, too.

Next Friday is going to be a pretty special night.

Next Friday is going to be a pretty special night. 💙🏈

I get to photograph one of my seniors as she arrives at Homecoming as a member of the Homecoming Court — and I couldn’t be more excited to be there to document it.

But there’s another reason this night is extra special to me…

I’m an alumna of this school, too.

And next weekend is an all-alumni Homecoming reunion game, so the sidelines will have something pretty amazing happening — cheerleaders from years past coming back to cheer alongside the current squad.

I love when photography gives me the chance to be part of moments like this.

A senior experiencing such a memorable night.

Families celebrating their daughter.

Teachers, friends and the people who have been part of her journey.

And a whole community coming together across generations.

That’s the kind of senior photography I love — not just creating pretty portraits, but documenting the experiences and people that make this season of life hers.

I’m already counting down to Friday. 💙

#SantaBarbaraSeniorPhotographer #SeniorPhotography #ClassOf2027 #Homecoming #HomecomingCourt Alumni SantaBarbaraSeniors SeniorYear ExistInPhotos

What if your child could see themselves the way yo

What if your child could see themselves the way you see them? 💙

Not perfect.
Not posed.
Not trying to be someone else.

Just completely, wonderfully THEM.

That is the heart behind Simply Me: Kids & Pets.

I’m creating a new collection of personality portraits for kids and their favorite animals — because I want them to have images that show more than what they look like.

I want to capture who they ARE.

Their personality.
Their confidence.
Their quirks.
Their connection.
The things that make you smile and think, “Yep…that’s my girl.” 🩵

And yes, pets absolutely belong in this project, too. Dogs, cats, horses, chickens, bunnies…if they are part of your family, they count. 🐾

I have a limited number of sessions available for this project, and I’d love to tell you more about it.

Send me a message or call me if you’d like to be part of Simply Me: Kids & Pets.

Because someday, you’re going to want to remember exactly who they were right now.

And they deserve to see it, too. 💙

#SimplyMe #KidsPhotography #PetPhotography #SantaBarbaraPhotographer #ChildhoodMemories PersonalityPortraits KidsAndPets ExistInPhotos

Motivation Monday 🩵 “If you don’t like the road y

Motivation Monday 🩵

“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” — Dolly Parton

Maybe your road is school.
Maybe it’s motherhood.
Maybe it’s work, relationships, or simply figuring out what comes next.

You’re allowed to change direction.
You’re allowed to start again.
You’re allowed to create a road that feels more like you. 🩵

And if today is just about putting one foot in front of the other… that counts too.

What road are you paving? 👇

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© 2026 Images by Valerie

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