Photography by Valerie

Feelin' the Vintage Vibe

2012-02-11T00:56:00.003-07:00

I went from this bright and colorful picture...

to this more vintage look.

I really think that these older style pictures are more interesting to look at. They seem to have more depth and more of a story behind them.

Playing Around

2012-01-27T12:16:00.003-07:00

Still playing around with the photo strip idea. This is a 4x6 so that it's easy to print. Once of my favorite sequences of pictures from a wedding last year that I wanted to so something like this with, but didn't know how to then.

The beauty of digital? I can always go back to older pictures and do what I really wanted to in the editing process as I acquire more knowledge.

Vintage Photo Booth Look

2012-01-25T00:24:00.002-07:00

Since photo booths seem to be so hot right now and everyone is into "vintage" stuff I figured I'd try out setting up some into a 5x7 that you can print off and cute out to have 3 photo strips. It seemed to work out, but for some reason the middle strip would not sit right into my template. Still working on perfecting it, but I figured I'd show off what I do when I can't sleep.

Indoors is OK

2012-01-15T16:20:00.005-07:00

The top picture is one of my all time favorites of a child under 1 year. Shooting indoors is less intimidating when you have a cute little subject, Photo Shop and a lot of windows.

End of 2011

2012-01-01T21:41:00.003-07:00

2011 brought me many great experiences this year with my new camera. 2 weddings as the main photographer, a few amazing shots with some great couples, some adorable pictures of my kids, fun pictures with my friends and their families, and new places and things to try.

2012 is all ready looking exciting. 2 weddings tentatively for me to shoot as the main photographer, bridals, engagement pictures, and more chasing around small children and making strange noises for that perfect smile!

I might not have a degree behind the camera, but I sure do love taking pictures as an art form and all that it brings into my life. Perhaps one day the title of "Master Photographer" will be attached to me, but honestly I'm ok with "Mom-tographer" for now.

Brian & Mackenzie

2011-12-01T16:13:00.003-07:00

Brian is a friend of mine and I just snapped a few real fast. Congrats to them!

Indoor Holiday Shoots

2011-11-16T20:14:00.003-07:00

This idea seemed simple enough that I thought I'd try it.

I LOVE IT!

If you want to schedule a time for your little ones I'm running a special deal for $10 a child (up to 4 if you are blessed with more they're free!) for a quick session of indoor shoots.

They make great gifts for grandparents and holiday greeting cards too!

Album Cover?

2011-11-08T12:38:00.005-07:00

Having fun at a photo shoot is a requirement! This was an idea that Justin had for their pictures.

In my head when he described it to me this is what I saw.

I LOVE the Beatles, but I think my picture is more fun. Less iconic, but more colorful and current! Ha ha.

Posing

2011-11-08T12:32:00.002-07:00

Posing isn't always just about how you stand, it's where you stand. I was trying out putting a group at different distances and it worked really well!

Erin and Todd

2011-10-25T13:21:00.004-06:00

Some friends of ours were married last Friday and I snapped a few pictures. Congrats to them and best wishes for a fun future together! : )

Fun Family Pictures

2011-10-12T15:21:00.006-06:00

There is a special recipe for fun family pictures. It goes as follows...

Your OWN Personality

Cute Accessories

Bright Colors (and a little help from Photo Shop!)

If you follow the recipe you are sure to get great pictures that will make you smile every time you look at them. THAT my friends, is what annual family pictures SHOULD do for you!

Simply Beautiful

2011-10-08T16:24:00.002-06:00

It's easy to over dress for pictures. Simple can be just as beautiful! Sticking to simple patterns, layers, and 3 colors is a good rule of thumb.

Shooting Season

2011-09-29T15:33:00.008-06:00

Shooting Season has begun!!!!! Please don't confuse this with "hunting season." Shooting Season is the time of year that everyone falls into having family pictures taken for Christmas cards and to give to grandparents.

I must say that the season is starting out good for me so far...

Each and every photo shoot is a little something different with me and locations vary. Going somewhere you might pass by all of the time and never stopped to look at how beautiful it can be before makes family pictures more memorable.

If your family has a special place suggest it for a location!

Old Dog New Tricks

2011-09-19T23:39:00.008-06:00

It is possible for old dogs to learn new tricks and I've been working on a few. I don't have everything I've done stored in RAW images, but a few of those that I do I've been playing with and advancing my Photo Shop know how. Thanks to a copy of CS5 that found it's way to me I feel like there is so much more that just opened up for my pictures! Here are a couple of examples...

Old editing.

New editing. More crisp and truer looking color.

Old editing.

New editing. (Realized after the fact that I'd originally cropped this a bit, but with it done up more I like it better farther away anyhow.)

Armed with a new editing toy and new ideas for the Fall, I'm ready for a bunch of picture taking and the fun and challenges that come along with that.

Family Photo Time

2011-09-18T15:04:00.003-06:00

It's almost Fall and time to start planning out Family Photos for those darling Christmas cards! Scheduling sooner is better so you can plan outfits that you want and not have to wear coats because you're freezing!

The leaves are all ready starting to change in the mountains folks... Fall outfits are on the racks at the stores and looking adorable.

Oh, and Halloween costume pictures anyone? It's a great time of year for making memories to hang on the walls and give to Grandparents for gifts.

What's I've Been Doing

2011-09-02T17:06:00.003-06:00

I had my baby!!!!!!!! Little boys are so different than little girls. Trying to do newborn pictures without tutus or hair flowers was a new challenge. Girls you dress up and they are instantly cute, boys it seems like you have to work harder and they (being males) almost instinctively HATE having their pictures taken.

I'm looking forward to jumping right back into the swing of things and setting up appointments for Family Pictures for this Fall all ready!

Wedding Day

2011-08-16T10:57:00.007-06:00

Like 9 years Later...

2011-07-28T15:47:00.007-06:00

Being pregnant has really taken a toll on my ability to get things done. Sitting at the computer, bending over, and even thinking all seem to be more difficult these days. (Thankfully it's almost over! 3 more weeks and you'll be bombarded with cute pictures of my new baby boy!)

I have finally finished my friend Lindsay's bridal pictures and am plugging along (slowly but surely) on her wedding day pictures. Here are a few of my favorites from her bridal session!

Lindsay's Bridal Teaser

2011-06-04T00:08:00.002-06:00

Wedding Day in Draper

2011-06-03T23:53:00.005-06:00

Putting together "the big picture" is still something that I'm working on. Moving around people's heads and piecing together a great picture is more difficult than I once thought. Experience and better techniques are helping to make that go easier each and every time.

Brian & Chelsea's Couple Bridal Pictures

2011-05-30T10:57:00.007-06:00

In order to save time on the wedding day Chelsea had her groom Brian join her for our Bridal Secession. That turned out to be a fantastic idea! It not only saved time, but they were able to be less stressed and comfortable together to have a great shoot.

Growing Up So Fast

2011-05-30T10:50:00.003-06:00

From Newborn

to 1 year old!

They grow up so fast! (and seem to only get better looking!)

Mother and Daughter

2011-05-30T10:35:00.005-06:00

Couldn't Resist

2011-05-16T11:22:00.002-06:00

Without giving too much away, I couldn't resist putting up just one of the couple bridal pictures that I took on Saturday! Many more to come. Now, back to editing I go!

Spring has Sprung

2011-05-09T10:58:00.005-06:00

It's that time of year again when beautiful little dresses come out and so does the sports equipment. What better time of year could there be than now to get a few great pictures of your little ones?

Headshots

2011-05-09T10:47:00.006-06:00

Welcome Spring and a fresh new profile picture or two to increase that friend list and get a few extra views from perspective new friends!

Eryn's Annual Photo Shoot

2011-04-06T15:19:00.005-06:00

Editing Adventures

2011-04-04T10:37:00.003-06:00

The last one is probably my favorite more artistic shot. I love it in black and white, but the colors were so interesting that I really couldn't decide. The more antique look I believe came from watching too many episodes of "American Pickers" on the History Channel.

Weston & Lindsay

2011-03-28T15:27:00.005-06:00

Beautiful V

2011-03-24T15:11:00.004-06:00

My friend V is one of the greatest women that I know. Each day comes with new challenges to face and new hills to climb. She keeps going on and fighting everyday and set a standard for endurance and inner beauty that we should all hope to meet one day.

Brooke in Balck and White

2011-03-01T10:33:00.001-07:00

Even though the color version of this is my photo of the month for March, I liked the black and white version so much I figured that I'd share that too!

New Toys

2011-02-24T11:08:00.002-07:00

I was blessed with the opportunity to get a new camera. This Spring and Summer should be filled with lots of fun photo shoots and great new pictures with amazing quality and even better techniques and artistic qualities. I'm really looking forward to stretching my wings and flying as a photographer and an artist.

Farewell to Fall

2010-12-08T14:13:00.003-07:00

Quite possibly the last outdoor photo shoot of the year where my subjects don't freeze to death and or need winter jackets! Snow shoots can be fun though! From here on out folks BUNDLE UP!

More McCorristins!!!!!!

2010-11-21T23:06:00.002-07:00

I am truly blessed with lots of family and adorable nieces and nephews! It was super cold and windy the day we took these and my nephew still squeaked out a few cute smiles!

Baptism Pictures

2010-11-21T23:00:00.004-07:00

Dressed in white she's ready to enter into the waters of baptism.

Train Tracks

2010-11-21T22:52:00.002-07:00

I've been eye balling these rail road tracks for awhile and am glad that I can add this to the list of places I've taken pictures!

Other McCorristins

2010-11-07T23:22:00.003-07:00

There are many other McCorristin Families in this world, and they are ALL related to us! Ha ha. This is Mike's brother Sam and his family. Don't I have some good lookin' relatives? : )

Murphy Family Strikes Again

2010-11-07T23:16:00.002-07:00

Just the Girls

2010-10-18T12:00:00.003-06:00

Hints of Halloween

2010-10-09T22:21:00.003-06:00

Busy Busy Busy

2010-09-23T23:38:00.002-06:00

I'd like to take just a moment to thank Heather Maddux for all of the great referrals that she's sent my way in the last couple of months! I've met some great families and have been able to take a lot of wonderful pictures. Being so busy has really reminded me how much I LOVE taking pictures and seeing the magic happen when I do a little touch up work!

Heather you are truly a good friend. Thank you for being so spectacular. Now, move back to Provo! Ha ha.

The Young Family

2010-09-23T23:26:00.005-06:00

Little Danovyn

2010-09-20T02:43:00.006-06:00

Fiiiiiiiiire!

2010-08-27T20:19:00.003-06:00

What little boy wouldn't want his pictures taken by an old fire truck and in front of the fire station doors? Give them a little fire truck each to hold and they were as good as gold! Maybe better.

CinderELLA

2010-08-25T16:38:00.003-06:00

Justin & Heather's Family

2010-08-24T21:38:00.004-06:00

After our planned family photo shoot, we went and had some fun taking a few for the scrap book! Their son is obsessed with Toy Story right now so we had to take a few by the movie theater.

Plus, what women doesn't want to take a second or two to ham it up looking fabulous in a phone booth?

Growing Family

2010-08-23T12:18:00.004-06:00

It seems that my family is always growing. I guess that happens with a large extended family. This is my new nephew with his Mom and Dad. He's super adorable, but massively dislikes the camera. It takes away from seeing Mommy!

Andrew's Family

2010-08-12T14:11:00.004-06:00

The Grandkids

2010-08-09T16:16:00.003-06:00

I'm such a big fan of black and white with red accents, but this really won me over. I think that teal and purple might be my new favorite color scheme!

The Twins

2010-07-19T09:50:00.006-06:00

My friend Bobbie had her twins and I had a ton of fun playing with the pictures that I took of them! I'm still experimenting with newborns, but I am proud to say that I feel a lot more confident with them than before.

While she was pregnant they caught an ultrasound picture with 4 feet it in. We tried to recreate the ultrasound picture. It was a little harder since they like having room to move around now.

Flowers in Flint

2010-07-19T09:41:00.004-06:00

Although Flint, Michigan isn't know for much other than cars and unemployment these days there are a few very bright spots around there. These bright spots are mostly due to the fact that the climate there is perfect for growing some very beautiful wild flowers.

Color Contrast

2010-07-19T09:36:00.003-06:00

These pictures are a couple great examples of how some bright colors and dark backgrounds really pop and make a great color contrast. Don't be afraid of bold bright colors!

Baby Emma

2010-06-21T16:06:00.006-06:00

Another of my adorable nieces. I'm spoiled with beautiful children who have beautiful cousins!

Wedding?

2010-06-11T00:47:00.005-06:00

My Sister-In-Law's very good friend Jane was married yesterday and I was able to tag along for the ride! I am building confidence and perhaps someday soon I'll be ready to do a wedding all on my own. Until then, I will enjoy being a lovely assistant and 2nd photographer.

Thanks to Jane and Matt for letting me tag along and take a few pictures!

Sarah's Baby Bump

2010-06-03T12:01:00.006-06:00

Moo

2010-05-31T23:41:00.004-06:00

To go along with the black and white kick that my pictures have been on lately, I figured a few of my favorite black and white subjects would fit in just perfectly!

Getting Over Fears

2010-05-29T11:54:00.005-06:00

Funny title for a post about a newborn, but it's true. This little guy helped me to get over my fear of newborn pictures! He was super alert, well behaved, and adorable as can be. Thanks little guy for helping me.

Baby and Mommy

2010-05-08T00:58:00.002-06:00

Birthday Coming!

2010-05-08T00:38:00.000-06:00

More Marie!

2010-05-05T22:29:00.008-06:00

Baby on the Way

2010-04-26T12:23:00.002-06:00

My friend Marie is going to have a little boy next month and I was able to take her maternity pictures last weekend. I found myself wishing that I'd taken the time to have someone do these for me while I was pregnant the last time around.

Pregnant Moms don't feel pretty hardly ever, but they are the most beautiful women that exist by far!

A Quick Family Pic

2010-04-25T08:51:00.003-06:00

I took a few family pictures for my friend Emily recently. Her little girls were great! All giggles and smiles when they needed to be and loved having their pictures taken.

More Nieces

2010-04-16T11:29:00.012-06:00

I guess that I was really feeling the black ad whites a lot that day. In color or not they're as beautiful as can be. I'm so glad that I was able to take their pictures that day.

The Picture

2010-04-12T00:49:00.004-06:00

My favorite picture of the year so far!!!!!!!! There will be more posted from our little photo session soon.

Just Playin'

2010-04-09T17:42:00.002-06:00

Playing with Photo Shop makes me happy! I'm getting ready to take a bunch of pictures for the Spring and was playing around with some different things. I think that this is frame worthy.

Because I know

2010-04-01T10:42:00.002-06:00

Here's another post with pictures of my girls (because I know you just can't get enough!).

She would much rather be playing.

The cheering began when I told her she was done! Oh well.

Snow, Again?

2010-03-30T12:03:00.002-06:00

Just when you think that winter is gone...

My Little Brother

2010-03-21T11:27:00.005-06:00

Although this is not a typical "family pictures" post, Sam is my little brother so, I figured it would work. Serving in the military is a big part of some people's lives. Many of us are left at home praying for our soldiers' safe return. I hope that my pictures of Sam will help bring my mother comfort while he is away for now.

I also leave a standing offer to any military family for FREE pictures of their soldier at any time.

Is It Summer Yet?

2010-03-03T11:27:00.002-07:00

A couple of warm days in a row have really hit me with the urge to go and take pictures! I just keep praying for good weather and great moments. Ahhhhh... Is it Summer yet?

Kaylin's Birthday Pictures

2010-02-02T11:31:00.000-07:00

Pink Princesses

2010-01-02T10:39:00.004-07:00

A little pink for my taste, but the girls sure loved it!

The Swenson Family

2009-12-08T13:12:00.003-07:00

My Nephew (and his Dad & Mom too)

2009-12-08T13:05:00.002-07:00

Skelton Family

2009-11-30T09:39:00.004-07:00

What's the best way to keep 4 crazy boys in one spot? Let them climb on a truck!

It was so cold that morning, but they all suffered through picture for their Mommy's birthday.

Morning Moo

2009-11-20T13:08:00.001-07:00

Mt. Timp Temple

2009-11-07T01:29:00.003-07:00

I went to 4 different temples and took pictures on my husband's day off. This was my favorite of the day by far!

Fast Photo Shoot

2009-10-22T16:06:00.001-06:00

Halloween Trees?

2009-10-12T23:56:00.002-06:00

Down near Moab I found a large group of trees that had recently burned. They reminded me of Halloween and made me think that I was in a Tim Burton film for a few moments!

Just for Fun

2009-10-06T16:25:00.002-06:00

Not officially engagement pictures, but I'm thinking that maybe someday...

The Cox Family

2009-09-29T21:17:00.003-06:00

Another Bee

2009-09-27T23:59:00.003-06:00

I just can't stay away from flowers and bees!

The Murphy Family

2009-09-26T08:12:00.004-06:00

I took these in American Fork Canyon. The colors are really starting to come in now up there, but it's all ready getting chilly in the evening! Sweater time is here. : )

Just Because

2009-09-15T09:48:00.002-06:00

Website Makeover

2009-09-14T15:46:00.001-06:00

I decided that since I have www.PhotographyByVAL.com that I should probably try to make it look a little better. I went through and updated it this morning. Lots of html code and more work than I thought it would be, but I think it was worth it!

Black and White

2009-09-02T15:48:00.002-06:00

The Beauty of Motherhood

2009-09-01T11:04:00.001-06:00

Touch of Color or Not

2009-08-31T13:01:00.001-06:00

Utah Wonders

2009-08-16T17:29:00.003-06:00

For those of you who've never been to Arches National Park or the Canyon Lands National Parks in Utah these pictures come with a disclaimer... The rocks really are THIS red (orange) here! Especially at sunset.

Rachel

2009-08-08T14:43:00.001-06:00

The Cake

2009-07-29T16:04:00.002-06:00

Suzie's Bridals Part 2

2009-07-27T17:05:00.002-06:00

Now that the wedding's over the bridal pictures can really make their appearance! We went to Bridal Vail Falls in Provo for most of her pictures.

The Morris Family

2009-07-06T15:55:00.002-06:00

My New Model

2009-07-01T21:52:00.002-06:00

This is my new model and brand new baby girl! I'm sure there will be many more pictures of her to come.

Bridal Preview

2009-06-19T09:38:00.002-06:00

Since Ryan and Suzie's wedding isn't until the end of July, I can't let the cat all the way out of the bag! BUT, I couldn't help begging to let a couple slide because I really liked them.

The Maddux Family

2009-06-08T10:46:00.006-06:00

Ryan and Suzie

2009-05-24T14:04:00.003-06:00

Utah really is one of the most beautiful states that there is! I didn't have to go more than 20 minutes away from home to find this beautiful area to take a few pictures at!

Memorial Day

2009-05-23T21:11:00.002-06:00

While in Search

2009-05-17T19:02:00.003-06:00

While I was in search of a location for my Brother-In-Law's engagement pictures I found this place. It wasn't what I was looking for, but it made me stop and enjoy a quiet moment or two.

Some Moo and Some Mountains

2009-05-05T21:52:00.003-06:00

Cows are harder to photograph than little children!

Mother's Day is Coming

2009-05-01T10:03:00.003-06:00

This is the little girl who made me a Mommy. Mother's Day isn't just to let your Mom know you love her, but to reflect on the love you have in your life as a mother.