“Val was, quite simply, amazing. We booked her for our wedding because we loved her contrasty, color-rich photography style and her composition was on point in her gallery - her use of light is stunning. Our engagement session was fun and she got, out of two people who consider themselves completely unphotogenic, beautiful pictures that capture our relationship, our love, and joy we experience when we are in each other's presence. It's like she can somehow take a picture of what you feel in your heart, not just how you look. I actually cried when I saw that gallery since she'd - in one session - undone years of anxiety around what I look like on film.
I am blind in one eye and am older. When I was interviewing photographers, Val stood out as one who understood my concerns and she spoke of working with other brides with similar concerns while simultaneously celebrating my 'asymmetry' and life experience. In our sessions, she kept this in mind and seamlessly positioned me or suggested poses that would capture me best and, where needed, judiciously applied photo editing.
Val was personally invested in our story and who we were as people and was consistently helpful throughout our wedding planning and wedding day. Val's excitement for us was genuine and I think that really matters when when you trust someone to capture your event. It felt like we were hanging out with a good friend during our photo sessions.
Everyone who sees our pictures remarks on how gorgeous the photos are and how wonderful we look - including West Coast friends I have who are wedding photographers themselves! I think it says something that as our wedding day wrapped up, I began hatching ideas for ways to work with Val again - maybe a family photo session? 1-year anniversary session?
I will not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer.”
