They say "the days are long but the years are short." And never is that more true than when you're raising your children. But, don't let it slip away. I encourage you to take the time to have portraits of your children and family created at least yearly, just like our Grandparents used to do it. We'll focus on capturing joy-filled moments and genuine interactions. I'll be here to guide you through every step. Choose from a Custom portrait session, a Petite session, or one of my styled Signature Mini Sessions (offered seasonally).
featuring your beautiful family
raleigh Family PhotographY
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Real Families. GEnuine, Joy-filled moments.
Families & children
Come just as you are with all the love, uniqueness, emotion, and connection that defines your family. Let's document the joy and bond with the people you love most. Family and children portrait sessions are available anywhere in the Triangle area. Live outside of the Triangle? Ask about a destination session.
Featuring Your family
Capture your child's unique personality with gorgeous, fine art heirloom vignette portraits. I provide beautiful, classic outfits you may borrow, or you can bring your own. Steeped in nostalgia, heirloom portraits taken in the studio have remained a popular tradition for more than 100 years, and look even more stunning when framed and displayed. It's a southern thing!
portrait photographer in raleigh
Heirloom
Stylized, limited edition mini sessions are short and sweet, and the perfect way to update your family photos for your holiday cards, capture that new toothless grin, or celebrate special holidays. They can also be great for creating new art for your walls and gifting to Grandparents. Each Signature Mini Session is geared towards a particular theme or location. More information about current opportunities can be found here on the Mini Session page.
short and sweet
Mini Sessions
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breathtaking • moments • captured
The Family Experience
You deserve gorgeous portraits of yourself that make you look and feel amazing, and photos of your children and family that you are proud to display and share. Clients often ask me, "when is the best time to schedule a portrait session?" My answer is NOW. It's always the right time to authentically document the milestones, memories, and story of your family's journey together. Don't wait until you lose those last ten pounds, his front teeth grow back in, or her soccer season is over. Right now is the only moment we are guaranteed. I'll make this process stress-free. You can trust me to expertly guide you from planning to sharing, all while providing an enjoyable experience for your whole family.
Your grandchildren will appreciate and thank you for giving them the gift of your family's story.
The first step is to reach out. I want to hear your story! Tell me about your family? What do you love most about this time in your life? How old are your children? What are your fears about this process? Let's talk so we can ensure there is availability. I only take on a limited number of sessions so each client receives the time she/he deserves. For Signature Mini Sessions, I recommend keeping an eye on the latest offerings. You can often sign up on the spot! For Petite and Custom Portrait Sessions, contact me well in advance to reserve a time, Tell me all about the portrait session you're dreaming about.
1. Say Hello
Studio sessions take place in my Apex, NC boutique studio, and location sessions are available throughout the Triangle. If you're not sure which you'd like, we can talk through what you're envisioning, and I can always suggest the best type of session and location for you. Once we've nailed down the location, date, and time, I'll send over my client contract and your invoice for the retainer fee, which covers my time with you and reserves your session appointment. I'll also provide a questionnaire so I can get to know you better and help plan the most perfect portrait session. For Signature Mini Sessions, you'll be able to choose your time and schedule directly from the listing on my website, but from there, the process is very similar.
2. Schedule it
And now the planning begins!! We'll work together to make your dream family portrait session come to life. We'll talk about your vision and how you plan to enjoy your images: digitally, online, in albums, framed on the wall... I'll provide more information about styling and the luxurious, flattering selection of gowns and outfits in my client closet that you can borrow. I can even help you style your whole family! I'll be here to answer all your questions in the weeks and days leading up to your session appointment. I also have a list of resources I can share with you if you need assistance with professional hair, make up, or styling.
3. Planning it
Here we go! I'll gently guide, prompt, and direct your family to ensure everyone is feeling comfortable and relaxed, all while showcasing your children's true spirts and your family's authentic connections. I take special care to provide easy to follow directions for the most flattering posing, and often throw in some Dad jokes and bad singing to get the kiddos engaged . We'll stop for snacks or rest, as needed, and I always follow your children's cues. I have photographed hundreds of families You can trust you're in great hands.
4. Your Session
Within about a week you'll receive a gorgeous gallery of proofs from your session. You'll select your favorites, design your artwork, and choose your digitals. It's all up to you! You'll only purchase what you love, and have the option of ordering from the online gallery or working with me to make your image selections. From there, I'll edit your images to perfection and get everything delivered to you in a timely manner.
5. Your Photographs
payment plans are available
Add on optional prints, products, framed art and heirloom albums
After Your Session, you'll select your collection:
Legacy collection - $900
All the digital images - $200 print credit 4x6 printed proof set
Archival collection - $600
20 digital images - $100 print credit
Memory Collection - $400
8 digital images
A $300 Creative Fee (non-refundable retainer) reserves your session appointment on my calendar, covers our prep and planning, allows access to the client wardrobe closet, and covers my time and talent photographing you and/or your family. After your session, you'll view your proof gallery and select your image collection. Only purchase what you love! Digital images, prints, and products are all purchased separately after your session.
family Sessi0n Pricing
THE FINE PRINT
*** Travel fees may apply to locations outside of the Triangle area, NC. Ask for details.
***Retainer fee/Creative Fee is a non-refundable.
*** $75 after hours fee-a very limited number of evening and weekend appointments are available.
*** 7.25% sales tax will be added to all purchases
*** Payment plans are available through Affirm and Afterpay.
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 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
Val does fabulous work. I love my photos. Very timely and great at keeping me updated.
headshot session
andrea
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
relaxed Photo sessions that result in timeless portraits you will be proud to display and share
Let's get started. I'm here to help.
