pensacola beach extended family session

I am a true Florida girl because I love cold weather for maybe a month and then I’m completely over it. So I am reflecting back on a few beach sessions and dreaming of the warm weather that will come along when all my extended families come back into town for the summertime. The colors from this session were my absolute fav and the multiple single families that made up this large extended family session were so much fun to meet and “work” with!

I’m going to share a good number of images from this session just so anyone reading this can get a good idea of how my extended family sessions work. And I think seeing a few images from start to finish will help describe my process in a visual way. When I am explaining how my sessions work I typically say that I begin with the more posed and smiling images first. The kids are normally more willing to participate in the beginning and smile for the camera and then towards the end they just want to run around and play. I love to follow the lead of your kids (as much as possible) and get you and your family a good mixture of posed and candid shots. We’ll get the big group shots first and then move into individual families and children’s headshots so we get a very good combo of everything!

My summertime schedule was the quickest to book up last year, so if you’re considering booking a single family or extended family session with me please try your best to plan ahead so you can grab the date you’re looking at. I would love to chat with you more about my process if interested - just send me a quick hello through my website or to itsvaleriebphotography@gmail.com!

xoxo,

Valerie :)

in-home newborn sessions

Hello

So I have come to the realistic truth that I might possibly be inconsistent with my blog posts (lol - based on how this summer has gone). However, now that my kids are getting back into school and we’re establishing some sort of routine again, my hope is that I will get my routine back as well. Which will then lead to more blog posts where you will see a good blend of photographs and words based on where my inspiration strikes. It all might come in spurts, as that is how my brain typically works (hi, Gemini brain here), but I will again try my best to stay somewhat consistent with posting so that you can get to know me and my photography - as well as provide the opportunity to educate you (my clients) about my style and process when booking with me.

So with that intro we are starting with a sweet little discussion on in-home lifestyle newborn sessions. I LOOOOVE me some newborn sessions. All the cozy cuddles, yawns, squishy little bodies, expressions, itty bitty fingers and toes - my list could go on and on. They get to me more than anything else. I’m sure it’s partly because I am in the motherhood era myself but I don’t know that I will ever get sick of them.

Now what is a lifestyle session you may be wondering? Since the in-home part is self explanatory.

The word “lifestyle” can be a little confusing, but to me it just means that you don’t have to do anything fancy or prep too much for this session. The idea of a lifestyle session to me is to keep it casual, more natural feeling pictures of your family relaxing in your home doing everyday “normal” activities. It can be as easy as relaxing on the couch or on the floor together. Introducing a new baby to your family can be stressful and anxiety inducing enough (hi, postpartum is tough no matter how prepared you are for the babe) and yet capturing pictures of these moments are something you’ll be incredibly thankful to have down the road. In my eyes, this is the easiest, most relaxed way of getting newborn pics without the stress of loading everyone and everything up to meet somewhere for pictures. One note about me is that I do not bring props or anything to dress your infant with - if you’re looking for poses and adorable wraps I will say right now that I am not the photographer for you - and I say that in a loving way because I want us both to be happy and there are plenty of photographers who will do these things for you. It’s just not my style.

So if you like what I have said so far and an in-home lifestyle newborn session is what you’re looking for here are FIVE pro tips (and maybe a few suggestions) to help you prep your home, your family and your mental health.

1. book ahead of time.

Reserve your date and put it on your calendar. I promise after you enter newborn land in those first few weeks after giving birth it’s harder to make things happen. If you know this is something you want to do, I recommend booking your session 2-3 weeks after your baby’s birthday - so simply estimate based on that when booking. I will ask to come to your house either late morning or early afternoon depending on your schedule and preference, as that will be the best time for light to shine brightest in your home. Please keep in mind I understand circumstances may change and I am happy to work with my newborn clients (or any in-home sessions) and adjust dates as needed if something unexpected happens (based on my schedule and availability, but we will always figure something out).

2. Don’t clean your home.

Yes, I know that sounds strange. But since a lot of times I don’t know your home already, the first thing I will do when I arrive (after giving you a hug and saying hello of course) will be to look around your house for the best lighting (since I am a natural light photographer). This could be on a bed, on your couch, on the floor near a window, etc. We will always find something that works. Once we find the best spots we can always declutter that area if needed. The last thing I want for you to do is clean your entire home and cause extra stress to your day when we might not even be in that area for pictures. I am used to a home that is lived in and never expect perfection in any circumstance.

3. Keep wardrobe simple.

Now you can buy a cute dress and fancy the family up if that’s what you’re looking for BUT you could also throw the kids in some cute pj’s, their fav tutu’s or Elsa outfit (can you tell I have girls?) and let these pics be a real representation of how every day life is in your home. Save the more coordinated outfits for the next family session. I’m here for it either way but know that the everyday version of your family is imperfectly perfect! If you are looking for more specific inspiration I do love a good clean, neutral color palette (which doesn’t have to be all white/beige, but can even be deep green, blues or blush colors) with less pattern so we can focus more of the baby, their natural expressions and less about what they are wearing. In my opinion, a naked, skin-to-skin babe makes for the best newborn photos.

4. LET SIBLINGS PLAY & HAVE FUN.

They are adjusting. You are adjusting. If you have other children in the house, I will most likely start with pictures of them when they are most excited that I am there. I know a children’s attention span can be hard to grasp for very long increments - because of that I try my best to have fun with them and work quickly. I suggest during any session with me that you try to prepare your kids prior to our time together by telling them a friend is coming to take pictures of your family (or something similar). I’m a parent that finds nothing wrong with a little treat (or as I like to call it incentive) after a session with me (hello ice cream) and I certainly don’t want you to feel like you need to discipline or punish your kids simply because they are being kids in your home.

5. Let the newborn lead the session.

Lastly, but most important - we are going to follow the lead of your newborn. I don’t force poses or put them in any positions that are unnatural. If the baby wants to nurse/eat - awesome! If they want to sleep, cry, cuddle, need a diaper change - I’m good with it. I am going to follow your families lead and we’ll get some great moments captured in the process. You can expect your gallery to be warm and light but maybe slightly darker (color wise), more intimate and vulnerable than outdoor sessions with me. I love black & white, textured images for newborn sessions so you’re probably have more of those for an in-home session with me. Along with a lot of images of cutesy up close fingers and toes. I strive to create a personalized, intimate experience with you where you can look back at these pictures years from now remembering this newborn phase as well as me as your photographer supporting you during this process.

xoxo,

Valerie B.

My WHY

So I promised myself for my birthday this week, I would become more vulnerable with my business by sharing my face more often (which, let’s be real, is hard) and try to connect with my current and future clients more by beginning a blog.  If I expect you to open up and share your vulnerable side through pictures I take of YOU, I need to do the same.  In photography, not only do I need to share the images I create to get business but sell who I am as a person since I AM the business.   And if we don't vibe, that's okay! Because there are plenty of amazing photographers in our area and it's always community over competition in my book. So I think all of that starts with telling you about the reason I began Valerie B Photography.  I could tell you simple facts (my kids, flexibility, and so on) but I like to dive deep into all the things as much as I possibly can in life.

So hi!  If you follow me already, you know that my name is Valerie.  Simply put, I am a mom of three growing souls (2 girls + 1 boy) which has been a huge life changing/ever growing accomplishment and blessing I do not take for granted. I am a wife to a beard growing, wood choppin’, can’t-sit-still man that I have loved for over two decades. I am a Gemini (IYKYK), my sister is my bestie and love to wear black but have been trying to explore the colorful side of clothes lately (if you see me in bright colors or a pattern you know I’m stepping out of my comfort zone that day).  I’m also just now realizing that when I take self portraits, I always prefer them in black & white as well.  I wonder what this says about me?

I started this small business as a way for me to create flexibility with my career and with my family, however, it has already become way more than that. I have never felt more empowered and in control of my life as I do with this profession.  The structure + routine that can be made with such a creative field has been life fulfilling already in such a short amount of time and the growth I can see coming is my everyday motivation.  I am the type that loves to learn and continue learning.  Once I become stagnant I get bored and lose all motivation.  Motivation which I have come to realize in life has to be made - you can’t wait around for inspiration to strike all the time. You have to continue searching for it!  Something I’m so glad to have learned and will preach to my kids as they grow.     

My photography dream all started with being burnt out at a job I used to love (wedding planning) and lots of searching for my next step.  I have posted about this before, but if you haven’t listened to or don’t follow Mel Robbins - you absolutely should!  She’s an author, motivational speaker and has a background in law.  Everything she says speaks inspiration and truth; especially if you are looking for a new beginning.  Her words spoke to me and after realizing that the people I am jealous of professionally are the ones I should look at for direction - my world opened right up to family photography.  I was so easy and simple to see it.

So my why is women. And empowering women, especially moms, through my camera lens. My why is my family - my kids. My girls and my baby boy and what I want them to learn about life. My why is the hardest working husband ever. And my why is ME. Because I have this life that is amazing and I want to live it the best way possible - which means including connection, people and making moments freeze for others so they can see the beauty in every situation.

I love bright, crisp, clear portraits where you can see into the person's eyes and see what they are thinking.  Moody, up close black & whites that have a lot of texture and playful, candids of kids running on the beach.  I love the chaos that comes with family sessions and the ability to capture moments that you can’t capture on your iphone.  Squishy newborns and tiny toes are the end of me. I will be growing my lifestyle newborn portfolio some more this year towards the end of the summer so keep an eye out for more on that.  I would also very much like to eventually do birth photography, but I plan to grow into that as my children get older and my time becomes more flexible.  

As I grow this business of mine I am seeking connection.  I want the clients who find me to crave more time together and for us to enjoy our experience together.  Pictures with our kids are such a blessing and treasure and I strive to create images that you will love, laugh at and pass down for generations, as my style is pretty classic and traditional as I see it.  

So if you found my little space on the internet, something brought you here - whether it was my face, my blog post, my story or my images (or my silly Instagram reels that are mostly ridiculous).  Reach out - let’s connect.  I would love to help create and show off the beauty that is you and your family.

I intend to share a monthly thoughts on this platform.   Sometimes it’ll be my thoughts like this and sometimes clients and their beautiful sessions.  Please follow along.

HAPPY 38th BIRTHDAY TO ME!