Photographer Spotlight: Valerie Vaughn from Valerie Callan Photography
Location: Athens, AL
What's in your camera bag & what's your favorite lens?
This is an immensely complicated question for me. As a self-diagnosed gear hoarder, I have a tendency to always be switching up my camera bag. Currently, my Brevite Jumper bag is housing my Pentax 645n with native 75mm lens, Kodak Portra 400 and 800 film, my 35mm Canon 1v, and my newest family member, the Canon EOS R6. My Canons are usually swapping between a 50mm 1.4, 35mm 1.4, and 85mm 1.8 lens.
What is your favorite thing to do when you're not working?
I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and creating watercolor and acrylic paintings. I tend to enjoy photography as a hobby and have started to document more of my family and daily life on film. I love to encourage others to try film.
Who inspires you?
The incredibly talented artist of the Impressionist Movement, specifically America Impressionist, Mary Cassatt. I have an art and art history background and have always been drawn to the painterly qualities and emphasis on light in impressionism. I love Cassatt's work because she tends to focus on women, motherhood and relationships between children and their mothers through every day life. If I ever need inspiration for a pose or a way to convey a connection, I turn to her work. I am also very much inspired by my own life, my children, my family, the people and places I know and go. So many women in the photography industry that have pushed me, inspired me, and cheered along as we navigate this profession, I find so inspiring.
What makes your brand unique?
I feel my brand is a reflection of my unique passions and celebrates unique family stories. I love motherhood imagery, and documenting families at play, young couples and old alike embarking on a path together. I wouldn't say I have a specific niche and more less view my brand and my job's responsibility to find the beautiful in meeting my clients right where they are in their own life's story.
What's your favorite aspect of your business?
My favorite aspect of what I do is helping clients connect the here and now to their memories. So often I hear a mother say, "he has changed so much since our last session, I always want to remember him this way" and for me having clients that see the value in documenting their life and family makes me feel so fulfilled.
What business advice would you give to someone overwhelmed with starting out?
You are you and only you are you. That may be a very confusing repetitive sentence, but it is the landmark for beginning a business built on authenticity. I think in an industry that relies on technology, gear, social media, the latest and greatest this or that, the most important thing to remember when starting out is to know that YOU and your uniqueness are the biggest key to your business success. It is important to hone your craft, know your worth, and be ready for the work you have to put in. Treat yourself and your clients with respect, seek out opportunities that ignite you, and surround yourself with good, supportive people that you give more to than you take from.
What's your Starbucks drink?
Easy. Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte.
Where can we find your work?
https://www.instagram.com/valeriecallanphotography/
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