for REAL PEOPLE

portrait + Wedding photography

I'm Valerie. I'm an East-Coast based photographer who digs real moments.
I don't think professional has to mean stuffy or traditional. I believe in doing things your own way, being yourself and having some fun along the way.

I believe in honest portraiture and authentic stories.

I believe in less stress, less cheese, less awkwardness and no bullshit.

I believe in the moments in-between the moments.

read the manifesto >

manifesto

the honesty

VIRGINIA

HOME SWEET

I'm home-based in Virginia, live in Virginia Beach, shoot the most often in Richmond and DC, and love to travel. I make it super easy with minimal travel fees within the continental United States... some locations having NO travel fees. Shoot me a message and let's chat!

VA.VB.NFK.COVA.RVA.cville.DC.
anywhere there is love.

ON MY DESK AT ALL TIMES

Drinks

04 TRAVELED TO FOR
WEDDINGS

Countries

03 SHOT A YEAR

Weddings

25 TRAVELED TO FOR
WEDDINGS

States

20 IN BUSINESS

Years

15

Here's the thing: My clients are all pretty different.
They have different styles and backgrounds... but they're a lot alike.
I always say they would all get along if I threw them in a room together.
They're comfortable and confident with who they are and what they love.
(But not necessarily comfortable in front of a camera. Leave that part to me.)
Kindness and compassion are always core values.
They're givers and doers and go-getters.
They value quality time spent laughing with their favorite people.
I always walk away thinking I found a new set of best friends. Every time.
Most of all, they're just down to earth, awesome people who are true to themselves.

WHO MY CLIENTS TEND TO BE

bad-asses with big hearts:

BESTIE

the

"Let me tell you about Val. Valerie. Val Demo. I may be biased, because she's my best friend, but she wasn't always my best friend. Before she was my best friend, she was this incredible enigma of a photographer that I watched on the internet from afar (a lot like you're doing right now) and maybe I just wanted to see if she could make me feel as great as all those people in her pictures looked.

Legitimately, it's one of those things where I see a photo Val has taken of me and I'm like, "damn, that's who I am?" She makes you feel comfortable, and somehow, you're like 800% more awesome than you realize when you get the photos back.
It makes you appreciate yourself, and her, a million times more.
Basically, if you need a boost in life, in friendship, in adventure, and really great photos, you call Val. I did and I got a best friend out of it.
(You can't have her, she's mine)." -Misty Prewitt

Nice to meet you >

THE PHOTOGRAPHER:

I've been behind the camera running my own photography business since 2006... which I think means I'm old now. After studying painting and graphic design in college (with a little marketing minor thrown in there), and interning with a crotchety old man photographer (it's a whole story... feel free to ask), I knew I wanted to try this photography thing for real and I knew I wanted to do it my way. It's been a fun ride ever since.

A few things lists tell you to ask: I'm a Canon girl, although I own mostly Sigma Art prime lenses by choice. Yes, I have back up gear.