For a long time, photography was something I loved, but I never really thought of myself as a "business owner". I’ve always loved taking pictures. I love finding the little moments that other people might overlook—the way someone laughs, the excitement on a child’s face, the bond between a person and their dog, or the way a family looks at each other when they don’t think anyone is watching.
But actually turning that passion into a business? That was a completely different story. There were a lot of reasons I put it off.
I questioned whether I was good enough. I worried about what people would think. I wondered if there were already too many photographers out there and whether anyone would actually choose me.
And honestly, starting a business can feel intimidating when you’re doing it yourself. There are so many things to figure out that have nothing to do with taking pictures—pricing, contracts, galleries, taxes, marketing, social media, websites, advertising, and all of the other things I never had to think about when photography was simply something I enjoyed. But eventually, I realized something.
If I kept waiting until I felt completely ready, I would probably never start. So I finally did it!
I started my own photography business, Lens of Valerie. That feels a little surreal to say.
This isn't just about having a camera and taking pretty pictures. It's about building something that is mine. It's about taking something I've loved for years and giving myself the chance to see where it can go. I'm still learning. I'm still figuring things out. There are definitely going to be things I don't get right the first time. I'm learning the business side as I go, just like I'm constantly learning and improving as a photographer. And that's okay.
I don't want Lens of Valerie to be about pretending I have everything figured out. I want it to be about creating beautiful images, meeting amazing people, capturing important moments, and continuing to grow. One of my favorite things about photography is that a photograph becomes more valuable as time goes on. The people in the picture might change. Kids grow up. Families change. Dogs get older. Life moves forward. But the photograph stays. Years from now, you can look at one image and remember exactly how you felt in that moment. That's what I want to create for people. I want to give people photographs that mean something to them—not just pictures that look good on a screen, but memories they can actually hold onto.
Starting Lens of Valerie is a big step for me, and I'll be honest: it's also a little scary. But it's exciting, too. I'm excited to see where this goes. I'm excited to meet the people who trust me to photograph their families, their milestones, their pets, their businesses, and all of the little moments in between.
Most of all, I'm excited that I finally stopped saying "someday" and decided to start. So here's to taking the leap, learning as I go, and seeing what I can build.
Welcome to Lens of Valerie.
I'm so glad you're here.
