Mr. & Mrs. K

I got to photograph a very special wedding 5 weeks ago. A dear friend from high school got married and I was lucky enough to be a part of their special day. We had a super great time. Kalina was just so so so beautiful. The wedding itself was held at a vineyard outdoors. It was so amazing. Kalina put so much work into the day and wow, did she pull it off! I wish I had more than just 2 pictures to show at this moment, but I am in the mist of still working on them. So here is a sneak peak of Ben & Kalina... More to come. Enjoy!

Janna & Keith

I had the best wedding last night.

I was a little hesitant and worried about the day, as I knew there were going to be 8 bridesmaids, 8 groomsmen, 2 ushers, 2 flower girls and 425 guests. I especially panicked as we pulled into the church parking lot because the church appeared to be very small. But my outlook sure changed the moment my groom told me he didn't want to button his suit because he wanted his pictures fun and relaxed. He said "that's who I am". I said "awesome, this is my last wedding of the year. Make it fun for me!". And they totally did just that.

Sometimes I will have a bridesmaid, mother, etc who would like to take control or who are not the friendliest. That was not the case with Janna and Keith's wedding. They were all so fun, so helpful, so kind to me. It was so wonderful.

Each wedding is so different. Each so unique. That's why I love shooting weddings so much. Even though at each wedding the day goes exactly the same from start to finish, it never really is the same, if you know what I mean. And it's at the reception where I really see this when the best man and maid of honor give their speeches. So often I find myself crying because I see just how much these people love their best friends. I don't even know these people well, but I still find myself with a strange connection with each of them. I find myself celebrating their joys as friends, just as I celebrate the joy I see and feel in the couple. I know this all sounds cheesey, but this really is why I love my weddings so much.

This wedding I especially felt a connection with. I have only met the couple once, and that was to do their engagement photos. But at the reception I learned that these two had known each other since grade school, dated since 7th grade, and got married right after college. They were still in love, but you could also tell they were the best of friends. They know absolutely everything there is to know about each other, and you could see that in the way they were so comfortable with each other. It was really neat. And then I thought. Oh my gosh, that's me and Neil! We haven't dated since 7th grade, but we have known each other since Neil was in 3rd grade and I was in 4th. We started dating his junior year of high school. We dated all through college and married the summer after graduation. They were us! It was neat to see because you don't see it that often. Their love is different from most that I see. It's a comfortable love that is just so precious and unique.

I also loved this wedding because they made me feel so welcomed. They sat Heather and I at the usher's table. That has NEVER happened. They made us a part of their wedding day, not just as people they are paying. But more like friends. A woman poured the wedding party their champagne, apparently there was still some in the bottle, and she wondered what to do with it. One of the groomsmen said, "give it to the photographer!". So that same groomsmen went to get me a glass and gave me the rest. It was just so nice of him.

So I thank you, guys. I wish you endless moments of joy and happiness. Thank you for having me as a big part of your day. Thank you for making my last wedding of the year a very memorable one. And thanks for having such a great baker! The cake was beautiful but it tasted AMAZING!

I hope you have a great time on your honeymoon. Will be talking to you soon.

(Pictures to be posted when they are downloaded...)

Fruitful Blessings

I had the best doula ever when I had my little Miss Maia. Her name is Leann. When I called her up, I had absolutely no idea that she was a friend...actually my childhood babysitter...and we both put two-and-two together to come to that realization. It was pretty neat. Definitely was meant to be. I don't believe in coincidences.

So she got me through my pregnancy without much worry and she got me through one of the roughest labors ever without too many tears. I know that Neil and I would not have made it through like we did without her being there. So thank you again, Leann. I would have never ever had it any other way. You actually inspired me, and still do. God definitely put you on this earth to do what you are doing.

Here is an ad I designed for her business.

Ella C

Ella C. One of my most favorite subjects. Probably because she is my niece. My dear sweet little niece. And I am hoping she will be my daughter's best friend. It might be hard with Ella living in Oklahoma, but it can work. Two of my very dearest friends grew up in Chicago and Iowa. We wrote hand-written, yes, hand-written, letters all the time to one another. So in this day and age with email, I know their friendship can endure. *smile* Going off topic now...

Anyhow, I wanted to share a composite that I did of her. I sent this to Ella's mommy and daddy (Chel and Brad) as a house-warming gift when they moved to OK. I kinda sorta think they liked it based on Chel's reaction when she received it. Thanks for being excited over my work, Chel! Best wishes in OK! Love you guys...xo

I5 seconds

Today my biz had 15 seconds of fame in the local newspaper. I'm so excited. I wouldn't have known, either, if I hadn't had a call at 7:00 am this morning from a person wanting to know about my wedding prices. Yes, at 7 in the morning! I was still in bed! It actually kind of freaked me out getting a phone call this earling in the morning! HA! But how exciting, too. Just in one day I've had more interested clients than I normally get in one month! I feel so incredibly blessed.

So, want to know what it said?! Here ya go!....

VWC PHOTOGRAPHY
WHERE: xxxxxxxx
CALL US: xxxxxxx
EMPLOYEES: 1
THE BOSS: Valerie Wallace-Camp
BIRTHDAY: 2001
THE PITCH: Valerie began her business with a focus on wedding photography that was different from the rest. Five years later, she still gives her couples something different with her story-telling technique. She also has a love for children and has ventured out with natural light on-location photography. Visit her Web site to view examples of her work and to find out more information.
ON THE WEB: www.vwcphotography.com

Needless to say, I'm glowing today...

I love pregnant bellies

In my opinion, there is nothing more beautiful and amazing than a pregnant woman. Which is why I enjoy photographing them so much. I think they are my most favorite subject. We always have a really great time in our sessions. But I am also very lucky because I always have great clients to work with.

My last session was with Jennifer and Ryan. We had a really great time. Jennifer just radiated and I think you can feel that in her pictures. Which is exactly why I wanted to show you some of my favorites.

By the looks of the photos, you can probably tell that big brother, O, can't wait to meet his little sister. He had a lot of fun at the shooting. It was hard for me not to hold my concentration on him because he easily stole the show. Thanks to all three of you for a wonderful day. Good luck with everything come Friday. Jennifer's baby is breech. She will deliver the baby girl by scheduled c-section. I wish you nothing but goodness. And I cannot wait to meet new baby R.

Here's some glimpses into our session...

Cards, cards and more cards!

I've begun playing around with card design and and am really amazed with how much I love doing it. It probably doesn't surprise you, however, because you know that I graduated in graphic design, so it's right down my alley. It's just that when I was in school, I was in school, and doing projects were never that fun. I procrastinated like crazy and usually was racking my brain for quick ideas at 3:00 in the morning before a project was due, never wanting to actually do it. Now I'm still doing late-nighters (or early mornings...however you look at it!) but that's because I love my work and get so caught up in it, I can't walk away from my computer. There's nothing like designing greeting cards. The possibilities are endless, and so I have great fun with each design I do.

Christmas is around the corner and I'm starting ideas for my own Christmas cards. If you are interested in having some made, please give me a ring. I have a few going on right now, and can probably take on a few more. But orders must be placed by November 1st.

And of course, babies are being born all year round. So if you would like an announcement custom-made for you and your new special delivery, please give me a call. Some examples of my work you will see here.

And don't forget birthday party invites, shower invites, advertisements, etc.