Like you, my family means everything to me. As a Mama to three (ages 7, 12, and 23), I know all too well that this time in our lives is sacred. And it's short lived. Too soon newborns become toddlers and preschoolers head off to kindergarten. And somehow in between soccer practice, dance lessons, caffeinating and carpooling, all of a sudden your teen is getting ready for prom. (I literally cried for six months when my oldest left for college.) But, your gorgeous images will remain as a visual reminder of your story and the amazing life you created, and of the details and moments you'll want to celebrate and remember. Following my calling as an artist and storyteller, and having the opportunity to share it with you, is such a huge blessing.
I'm intentionally embracing of diversity and inclusive, and welcome clients of all abilities, races, cultures, sexual orientations and gender identities.
Your Apex, NC area Motherhood and Family Photographer!
I'm VAL
imply put, I want to make your heart sing. There's nothing I love more than creating beautiful art in the midst of our busy, chaotic lives. I'll expertly guide you through every step of the process, while we tell your family's story in an authentic and genuine way. And most importantly, you'll cherish your final portraits.
S
A snapshot into my life
Everything I do is for my family... like, I'm literally obsessed with them. :) My husband, Dave, and I live in downtown Apex with two of our three children (two boys and a girl), our two dogs and two cats. Dave is a creative genius and my favorite person in the world. Our oldest son is a jazz drummer and music teacher in Texas where he went to college, and I haven't quite convinced him to settle back down here. Yet. But we text or talk daily. Our daughter loves all things crafts and is in middle school, and our "baby" is a Lego master, soccer superstar, and started kindergarten this year.
We love to explore, travel, try local restaurants, and experience new adventures together. You'll often find us cheering on the Carolina Hurricanes, cooking, baking, hanging out on our family's small farm, working on projects, or cuddled in PJs reading books with the kiddos. Evenings are for binge watching, star gazing, and eating ice cream with Dave, and Sunday Funday is for church and Family. It's a good life, a simple and fulfilling life.
MY Family
I love all things food, especially local foods. Whether we are growing food on our small, whimsical family farm (see photo...Neighbor Boy Farm here in Apex) or googling to find the very best local restaurants and delicacies when we travel, I am always thinking about food. In fact, I'm usually thinking about what I'll be cooking for dinner before I even get out of bed. (I know for sure I got this from my parents.)
While I've always loved cooking, baking, and the hunt for new recipes, I began the deep dive into local foods back in 2010 when my husband and I started a cottage food products company called Tequila Dale's. From there, I (along with my husband and a few other super smart women) created the nonprofit Apex Farmers Market and Local Food Alliance to help support local food production and accessibility. I volunteered and served as chairperson of the board of our nonprofit until 2018. Today, I love the challenge of focusing on creating delicious and nutritious meals and snacks for our family.
ALL things food
I'm sort of a closet addict to HGTV, and have spent most of my adult life fantasizing about being an interior designer. Or maybe a realtor. Or maybe a house flipper like Chip and Joanna. Either way, I have my HGTV and Better Homes and Garden magazine subscriptions on repeat. I love to cozy up in my comfy chair with my home shows, my magazines or scrolling Pinterest, a cup of hot tea in hand, to explore the textures, colors, lines and decor of the latest home trends. Some days I'm team modern farmhouse all the way, and other days I'm digging the clean lines of transitional or industrial homes. But lately, I've found myself drawn to the warmth and timelessness of clean traditional styles with all its wood and velvet. I recently had the opportunity to redesign our home from scratch. Here's a photo of my kitchen in progress!
When I tell people I drink tea, they almost always ask about my favorites. Hands down it's Vanilla Bean Black Tea, followed in a close second by Cardamom Cloves Chai. And I take my hot tea sweetened with cream.
HGTV and Hot Tea
Val is one of the kindest, most empathetic humans I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. These traits extend so beautifully into her work as a photographer...immediately putting you at ease the second you step into her warm and inviting studio, leaving the client feeling comfortable and cared for. This translates into quality shots that make her work worth every penny of your investment.
Motherhood session
Meagan
First of all, I need to express how absolutely beautiful the pictures are.... Val, they are amazing. You managed to capture not only her expressions, but her sparkle and that little inner spirit that we see in her eyes everyday. Chris and I are so grateful to you that we will always have these pictures. The most difficult part will be trying to choose!!! I honestly do not know how we will do it! You did a magnificent job!!!! ... I literally cried.
portrait Session
michele
Val has taken beautiful pictures of both my children and now my granddaughter. She works with you to have an idea of what you’re looking for and is very patient with toddlers. She is down to earth yet professional.
milestone Session
donna
Oh my God... I CAN'T EVEN SPEAK RIGHT NOW. Just want to tell you how AMAZING the pictures are. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. You truly are blessed with such talent.
milestone Session
kerrie
Val has done our newborn and one year old photos and they are stunning! We’ve done photos in her studio and also met her for photos at the arboretum. Both experiences were wonderful from start to finish, the pictures were amazing and Val herself is a fabulous human! She definitely goes above and beyond for her clients.
newborn Session
kate
Absolutely stunning! You captured the best of both children. We are going to have a tough time choosing. I am so glad that I decided to do this and a big thanks to Jennifer for recommending you. The children had a wonderful time, too.
family Session
polly
Thanks again for the wonderful pictures. I look at them everyday and can't believe how beautiful they are. After sharing my on line proof gallery and sending out the birth announcement, I received phone calls from friends and family who were honestly teary eyed from the tenderness you were able to capture. You really do have the gift of photography.
newborn Session
catherine
The Christmas pictures you took of Taylor are wonderful! You captured the very essence of Taylor's personality. Every single person (literally) that saw them said that they were the best photographs they had seen. Your work is more than just photography; it is truly artistic brilliance. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
christmas mini Session
kim
Thank you so much for the pictures. You are so talented, when I watched the slideshow I was sobbing because you were able to capture Ian so well. I am so thankful to you for the memories you have given us. I will treasure these pictures forever and ever. Thank you again so much, I can't tell you enough what these pictures mean to me.
family Session
deanna
I loved the professional headshots Val made for me. She made the entire experience welcoming and efficient. She certainly has an eye for color and details that I needed for quality digital content. I will be using these on all my profiles and professional profiles going forward.
headshot session
thomas
Val does fabulous work. I love my photos. Very timely and great at keeping me updated.
headshot session
andrea
I can't recommend Val highly enough! She is fun to work with, genuinely kind and takes gorgeous photos. She makes the process easy and enjoyable.
branding session
heather
You Deserve the best
You deserve to document your family's story in a beautiful and authentic way, and to have photos you feel proud to share and display. Your children deserve to have these moments preserved so they can be celebrated and remembered.
Serving Apex, NC and surrounding areas since 2002.
