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!