© 2009-2016 VAcee ~ All Rights Reserved
The photographs on this website are the sole property of the photographer and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without written consent.
Please ask for permission if you would like to use them.

Sunday, January 31

Saturday, January 30

30/365


(straight out of the camera - except for some cropping, taken around dusk during a snow event)

Friday, January 29

Thursday, January 28

Wednesday, January 27

27/365


I know - it is more than one photo, but I had to show the progression of seemingly dead to life, didn't I? Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for visiting! I hope that these little projects help you to put your focus on our awesome God each day!

Sunday, January 24

Saturday, January 23

Friday, January 22

Thursday, January 21

Wednesday, January 20

Tuesday, January 19

Sunday, January 17

Saturday, January 16

Friday, January 15

Thursday, January 14

Wednesday, January 13

13/365





*Update: you may have seen a different version of this one, I really was not happy with the way it came out, so I redid it. This way it talks to my senses a little bit better.

Tuesday, January 12

Monday, January 11

Sunday, January 10

Saturday, January 9

Friday, January 8

Thursday, January 7

Wednesday, January 6

Tuesday, January 5

Monday, January 4

Sunday, January 3

Saturday, January 2

Friday, January 1

1/365





About Me: The Photographer



My name is Valerie (updated August 2012).

I am first, a sinner saved by the grace of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him, my life would be and mean nothing. He is amazing! Secondly, I am a mom to 3 wonderful sons aged, 21, 19 and 16. I have been married to my best friend for 25 years. I am an elementary school vocal/general music teacher.

We live, work and worship in the Western New York area. I was born and raised here, while my husband came from Central New York. We have lived in this area as a married team, for all but 3 of our years together. We had a short time when we lived in and around Virginia Beach, VA.

I love music. Since the time my mom started me on piano lessons at the age of 8, to my first audition for a Junior High musical (which I didn't even get into the chorus, but it spurred me on to become a better singer) to when I sang a level VI vocal solo for an All County audition and got an A+, I knew I connected with music.

When I was 13 I became the pianist at the small church my family was attending in the city of Buffalo. As my vocal skills developed I led the Children's Choir as a teenager. When I graduated from High School we knew I would study music. But I didn't know I would marry a guitar playing, singing, music loving guy. I performed with a local musical theater group until my kids came along ... and now our 3 sons are "in love" with music as well.

When my first son was born - I retired from public school teaching (after only 4 years) and became a stay at home mom for the next 13 years. I started and maintained an email prayer network for our congregation, led the children's choir, VBS, and became the worship leader for our congregation. When my husband lost his job, I knew with my music and teaching degrees I was meant to go back to a full time job that would help support our family monetarily. Leading worship had become a 20 + hour a week job - that I couldn't continue - as a full time mom, full time wife and then full time teacher. Walking away from that was one of the hardest things I ever did.

But when one door closes, God leads us to another opening and I have found a passion for photography that is almost as strong as my passion for music (although I don't have a bachelors and masters degree in photography!)

I have always loved photography. My first camera was a Polaroid point and shoot and in 60 seconds you peeled your picture off. I then moved to a 35mm point and shoot. But when digital camera's came to be, I loved them right off. I had a small point and shoot to start, but then my husband moved me up to the Kodak Easy share system. I had two of those. The last one I still use on occasion. The following is a list of my camera gear:




The newest addition (7/2012) is:

Canon EOS 60D

After experiencing a bent pin in my rebel xti - I didn't want a camera with the CF cards - so we moved (I say we - because my husband bought this for me as a gift) to a camera with the SD cards.  I am still getting used to it - but so far - I love it!




Kodak Easyshare Z650
(really a great little camera! Shoots great little quick movies too.) (5/2006)







Canon Rebel XTi Camera (12/2007)




Canon EFS 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 (kit) (12/2007)
Canon EFS 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (12/2008)







Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 (metal mount) (1/2009)








Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM * my favorite! (5/2008)






Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di ll VC (5/2009)
and most often what you will find on my camera.


**Read how I won this really wonderful lens here.


I really got into serious picture taking when my youngest began to play travel baseball. I love the action shots and being able to stop the ball right as the bat hit it was a real rush! When we realized I could shoot much better pictures with a better camera, my husband (who took some awesome pictures on his 35mmSLR) knew I needed a DSLR. So he did the research and picked out the camera for me. I've been in love ever since!

As I purchased each new lens, I learned about all the different things I could take photos of. I still have a lot to learn, but I am loving the journey!


I'd still like to learn more about the post processing stuff, but time is a precious commodity and that will probably have to wait until I have more of it! For now my boys, my job, my home and my blogs keep me very busy!

Thanks for visiting, and reading and interacting. I have met so many wonderfully gracious and talented people thru this blogging experience. It is a whole lot of fun! At the top of this page and under the title are buttons to all my blogs:

1. Intelligent Expressions - 1 post a day for 2010 1 scripture, 1 quote, and 1 photo

2. Composition Life - My first blog, all about my family's journey of life in my shoes, thru my camera

3. Favorite Photo Friday - a meme I never really got off the ground. I (heart) faces was just getting started around the same time I started this one and well - they have done an amazing job - and my little FPF is just sitting there . .  for now.  Maybe some day.  

4. Valerie's Collages - I love to make mosaics. This is just the place I store the ones I make for Mosaic Monday and other meme's

Thanks so much for visiting. Please share a bit about yourself. I'd love to get to know you!



About Intelligent Expressions

INTELLIGENT EXPRESSIONS

As a former Worship Leader, one of the things I enjoyed most, was the time I was able to spend in the Word and reading thoughts from theologians and others who have studied His word deeply as I prepared to work with our worship team in leading our congregation to the Throne of the Most High God. Compiling those thoughts helped me to draw near to God as I was privileged to come before His people and with the team provide an atmosphere for the congregation to do the same.

Since I have gotten more involved with photography, often times when I study a photo I have taken, my thoughts begin to wander and I am led to ponder the words and wisdom from scripture.

Since this is the day of new beginnings, I thought I would start this second blog where I can group together a photo, a quote and a scripture that would encourage me, as I create, and perhaps encourage you as you begin or end each day. To start with I will be usingiRemember software.

1 photo (mine)
1 quote (proper credit given)
1 scripture (God's)

I hope these posts will bless you in some way.