I am grateful for your
interest in working with me!

Please fill out my contact form for more information about pricing and availability. I typically respond to emails within 1-3 business days, depending on my work and travel schedule.

PLANNERS

You may email me directly here at:

valeriethompsonphoto@gmail.com

Wedding Inquiry

Testimonials

  • “We hired Valerie for our February 2024 wedding, and it was one of the best decisions we made! Valerie is a phenomenal photographer with an awesome personality. She will befriend you and put you at-ease pretty much immediately! We first met her for our engagement shoot where we had a very particular editorial vibe we were after. She nailed it and made us feel so comfortable from the moment we met. When our big day rolled around, Valerie brought along a great second shooter and meshed seamlessly with our videographer, all effortlessly working together to capture the day. Valerie excels at shooting both film and digital. She brings such an artistic eye and has a vision for her work which is evident in her portfolio as well as all of the photos she delivered for us. We're so happy with the finished product and will look back on these pictures fondly for years to come. We would highly, highly recommend Valerie.”

    - Laura & Barrett

  • “Valerie was so helpful in the planning process for every shoot, and made it so easy and fun to collaborate creatively together! During the shoots she made us feel so comfortable and confident, it was so easy to just be us in front of her camera!! We had so much fun with Valerie and are so in love with every photo. Her photos have feeling and emotion, and allow us to relive all of those moments whenever we need.”

    - Shelby & Tyler

  • “Valerie shot our wedding photos and the photos (and Valerie) are just incredible! She was communicative throughout the process and has captured so many wonderful candid moments of our day. Valerie's style and editing was just to our taste, and we especially loved the photographs on film.”

    - Theanne & Michael

  • “Valerie isn’t only a photographer, she’s an artist. Her brilliance lies in her ability to see design in every moment—whether that be a bridesmaid adjusting the dress strap of another or the chaotic arrangement of heels/purses/empty glasses left in haste on the table during late night dancing. While I could rave about all of the gorgeous photos in our gallery (of which there are plenty), my favorite photos are the “personality” pics where she captured my friends and family in silly moments that sum them up exactly how I see them. I’m obsessed with her work. I’m obsessed with her. And, I’d hire her 1,000 times over.”

    - Lacey & Dalton

  • “Valerie is a MUST for your wedding day. She seamlessly blended professionalism with a delightful, fun-loving spirit that made the entire experience beyond memorable. Valerie was not only highly professional but also incredibly flexible, adapting effortlessly to our needs and making us feel at ease throughout the entire process. She has a remarkable ability to capture the essence of the moment, and the photos we received were more breathtaking than we could have ever imagined. Valerie is not just a photographer; she is a true artist who made our special day even more magical. We wholeheartedly recommend Valerie to any couple seeking someone who is not only skilled but also a joy to work with.”

    - Hailey & Neil

Session Inquiry

Oeuvres

View more of my recent work on Instagram

faq’s

01

What does your booking process look like?

To book, I require a retainer fee and a signed contract. For weddings, the retainer is 30% of the total cost, and for all other sessions it is 50%. The retainer fee is non-refundable. In the event that you need to re-schedule, the retainer fee can be applied to the new date.

02

How would you describe your approach?

On a wedding day, I am looking mostly for moments unfolding naturally, and the people and things that are most important to you. While I will provide subtle guidance throughout the day to ensure things are flowing comfortably, I prefer to not interrupt or over-produce anything genuine for the sake of perfection. There are specific times where I will step into a more directorial role - during formal family portraits I will organize and pose your guests for more traditional group shots, for example. During newlywed portraits, I favor a blend of editorial and candid moments. I will look for the natural ways you fit together, first, and build upon that with gentle direction.

03

How many images can we expect, and how do we receive our images?

I will deliver all of your images in a custom online gallery, which can be accessed by yourself and any guests you provide access to. Images can be downloaded in both high-resolution for print and web resolution for social media. All film will be processed locally and hand-scanned by me. Your film scans will be included in your online gallery as digital images, as well as the scans of any instant film I shot. Once you have received your gallery I will ship the hard copies of your instant film to you. I have a rigorous backup procedure but I always recommend clients keep an additional backup copy of their images in a secure location.

You will receive around 100 images per hour of coverage.

04

What kind of gear do you shoot with and are you insured?

I shoot with two digital cameras, a couple of 35mm film cameras, a medium format film camera, 3-4 versatile lenses, an instant film camera and a vintage polaroid. I always look for ambient and natural light situations where possible but I also bring a lighting setup for low light. All of my equipment is insured, and I also carry comprehensive liability insurance, certificates for which are available upon request.

05

Do you work from shot lists provided by your couples?

I am happy to accommodate shot requests for specific moments that might be special to you, provided we discuss this ahead of time. However, my preferred approach means I don’t adhere to exhaustive lists comprising of poses or shots, with the exception of formal group portraits. I favor a more holistic approach, and I am not able to produce my best work when I am following a rigid shot list. I am much more focused on the natural reactions between you and your partner and guests, and the moments that unfold organically on the day.

06

I offer fine art photo books both as a semi-custom design or fully custom design. I also include a print release in every package and session so you can order prints directly through your online gallery. I can alternatively offer recommendations for print service providers.

Do you offer prints or albums?

07

For both US weddings and international destinations I work with up-front fees to cover all of my travel, transportation and accommodation needs. This will be included in your collection and all bookings will be made by me.

What do your travel fees look like?