Welcome to
For ADVENTURERS of earth and romance
Hopefully you stopped by because you want your story documented with a little bit of grit and a whole lot of romance. If so, you are definitely in the right place. Salt + Light Co. is all about serving YOU in YOUR journey and in YOUR love story. Life is a romance novel, and you're the main character. Let's capture you in the earth's best light!
"...the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the wind longs to play with your hair..."
-Khalil Gibran
capturing all the little things
Here we are, and this is me. Born a Chicagoan, raised in Mississippi, I'm sort of a misfit, to say the least. If you're all about adventure, having a good time, and boldly acknowledging those small, raw moments, you've met your match. So come see! Let's start making magic!
Meet the Photographer
the name's Valencia!
I'm so glad you're considering inviting me into your life! So you know my first name, but most of my friends call me "Val"; and that now includes you. Since we're friends, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I believe that Christ Jesus died for our sins, and I could never repay that kind of grace. I have two rowdy human littles, Amelia and Fitz, and three rowdy fur littles, Rosemary the Golden, Beaux the Yorkie, and Pepper the Goldendoodle. I'm a firm believer that anything can be fixed with 1 (or a combo) of 4 things--a good cup of black coffee, a kitchen dance party, a snack, and/or a nap.
Photography for me is more than just taking pictures. It's about documenting all the "in between" scenes that happen when the rest of the work just sees the surface. For me, capturing those moments is like what it means to be the salt and light of the world. There's nothing quite like it. Those spaces in time is where my passion lies, and I would love nothing more than to share that with you.
about
to the Mississippi Delta
When you look at photos that have a long lasting effect on your heart, you don't typically see a posed photo with blank stares and forced smiles. You see movement and emotion and romance and passion. You see all the feeling you're physically feeling frozen in time regardless of where that image was documented. The best love stories aren't forced or posed; they're real. They're raw. They are bold and loud with real connection, real laughter. That is the heart of this ministry. That is what I want for you. Your moments are so INCREDIBLY special to me. I stand by treating yours as if they were mine. You are so much more than just another appointment in my calendar. And I pray that by the end of our time together, you feel that truth in your bones.
The approach
I'm not your average photographer
I do not fit the mold for everyone's dream photographer, and that's okay! I like to get dirty. I like to move. I love to run. I like to have fun! I'm all about movement and being REAL--not all posing. And likewise, I love to work with people who are down to do that same! If you don't mind getting a little sweaty, laughing until your belly hurts, or crying because the love between you and your babe is just THAT strong, I'm the creative for you! You want someone to climb to the top of a mountain at sunset for that photo you've been dreaming of? I got you babes! If you want someone you can just be yourself in front of, you've got the right girl! You deserve someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to capture the real chemistry you bring to this life!
The experience
what are you waiting for?
Want to know something interesting about me?? I LOVE to travel! I will literally drive or fly anywhere for a good adventure! I've documented memories in MS, TN, NC, SC, AL, FL, CO, WA, and NV! While, it's been so amazing to shoot in so many fantastic places, there's so much more to see! And fam, I intend to see them! Check out my bucket list locations, and if you are planning an elopement there, you'll get a special discount! So please reach out, and LET'S MAKE SOME MEMORIES!!
THe bucket list
I'll see you there!
-olympic national park, wa
-zion national park, ut
-canyon lands national park, ut
-capitol reef national park, ut
-badlands national park, sd
-crater lake national park, or
-glacier national park, mt
-haleakala national park, hi
-hawaii volcanoes, hi
-joshua tree national park, ca
-redwood national park, ca
-sequoia national park, ca
-yosemite national park, ca
-pinnacles national park, ca
-kings canyon national park, ca
-grand canyon national park, az
-petrified forest national park, az
-denali national park, ak
-gates of the artic, ak
WHERE I'M GOING
-ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, CO
-GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK, CO
-BLUE LAKES, CO
-pike's peak, co
-garden of the gods, co
-red rocks ampitheater, co
-ST. MARY'S ALICE, CO
-loveland pass, co
-sapphire point, co
-ROAN MOUNTAIN, TN
-CHATTANOOGA, TN
-MAX PATCH, NC
-MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WA
-NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK, WA
-DEATH VALLEY, CA
-PENSACOLA BEACH, FL
-MYRTLE BEACH, SC
-great smoky mountains, tn
-Valley of fire, nv
-mt. charlotte, nv
WHERE I'VE BEEN
the bucket list
This is your
This is the beginning of your wildest adventure.
Listen. All of your moments are special. They're worth documenting and doing so well. As for your wedding day, it's going to be the most epic day of your life. There's going to be joyful tears shed, but they'll fade away. You are going to dance till your toes are numb, and the feeling will come back. Not to mention the endless amount of congratulatory hugs and kisses you'll get from loved-ones you never knew existed. And all of that is wonderful, but...
At the end of the day, no matter the occasion, all you have left are the memories (that may fade away with the years) and the photos (that are forever). Those photos are so important to sharing the story you will pass down to your children and your children's children and so on. I would really love to play a small role in your big adventure.
invest in your adventure
You can't put a price on the capturing the feelings you have on the biggest day of your life.
Salt + Light Co. is about producing images that make you feel all the feelings you felt on your wedding day. The memories of those feelings frozen in a photograph is like a time capsule that's right at your fingertips. Who you choose to document that day is so important. You deserve to have images that help you revisit all those raw emotions. Let me help make that a reality for you.
There are a total of three wedding collections offered with the most popular collection including an engagement session, a bridal session, and unlimited access to an online gallery starting at $3,000. Don't hesitate to reach out for a wedding collection tailored to your needs. Basic wedding collections start at $1,800.
invest in your
Kindness and Praises
The kind words of friends makes this passion work.
We had THE BEST TIME with Val! She makes the environment totally comfortable but still fun. You’re not going to find a better photographer with such an amazing personality!!
Kind words
it's your
britain + Dreyson
Val is a wonderfully upbeat, flexible, and cheerful person and the perfect personality to handle all kinds of family, friends, group sizes, locations, and dress lengths! She took incredible memories and made them even more special with her special touch for editing and styling, without taking away from the natural reality of the days events. My bridal photos are absolutely stunning, so unique, and she arranged for the location, time, and helping me in and out of my dress, all while chatting, laughing, uplifting, and snapping her magic photos! She created a whole different atmosphere in her photos using lighting to her advantage, and does very elegant poses with her subject. I felt beautiful the whole time. She hollered the whole time at how pretty the pictures were coming out, and made me feel confident and not anxious during them as I don't generally like photos... me.
As for my wedding day, that had to be moved up a week, with 2 days notice, she called into work to be there for me. She responded to my every want or need, got adorable last minute shots of my first look with my husbands nieces, put my veil in for me, and so many more little helpful favors throughout the day. She worked well in the small space we had it in with 16 other people, on my front porch, and still had creative photos. I will always appreciate her determination to make my Coronavirus-interrupted wedding a special day, and her joyful, patient attitude, but her firmness with guests and ability to ask for people to stand in a certain place, move elsewhere etc so that she could get the best shot possible.
A day I will never forget.
Kind words
Christina + Garrick
Let me just first say, Val is the most amazing person! She was absolutely great to work with and made me and my groom feel like no one else mattered but us! Val will work with you from start to end and beyond! She worked with both of our crazy work schedules and my crazy requests! I can’t say enough about how great and talented Val is!!
Kind words
callie + Zach
Val is the BEST. She is able to make us feel immediately comfortable in front of the camera and even has my daughter looking forward to photo sessions. I really trust her to capture our family and help us shine. If you want a photographer that feels more like family, check her out. You won't regret booking her!
The smiths
investment
Monstera Collection
$3000
8 hours of wedding day coverage
a complementary engagement session
a bridal portrait session
free one year anniversary session
unlimited access to online galleries
free unlimited image downloads
personal print shop
Elopements
Calathea Collection
$2300
Pathos Collection
$1800
6 hours of wedding day coverage
a complementary engagement session OR a bridal portrait session
unlimited access to online galleries
free unlimited image downloads
personal print shop
6 hours of wedding day coverage
unlimited access to online gallery
free unlimited image downloads
personal print shop
Engagement Portrait Session: $450
Bridal Portrait Session: $450
Boudoir Portrait Session: $450
Additional Hour(s): $250/hr
Rehearsal Dinner: $250/hr
Second Shooter: $600
A La Carte
*travel, accommodations, and tax not included in prices listed
*25% non-refundable retainer due at booking
seniors
Adventurous Elopement
$1650
4 hours of elopement coverage
planning/scouting assistance
unlimited access to online gallery
free unlimited image downloads
personal print shop
*travel, accommodations, and tax not included in prices listed
*25% non-refundable retainer due at booking
*when you elope in one of
locations, you only pay for my travel and accommodations. Your photos are on me!
weddings
Package 1
$450
two locations
three outfits
unlimited access to online gallery
free unlimited image downloads
personal print shop
one location
two outfits
unlimited access to online gallery
free unlimited image downloads
personal print shop
*travel, accommodations, and tax not included in prices listed
*25% non-refundable retainer due at booking
Package 2
$350
lifestyle
elopements
one location
one outfit
unlimited access to online gallery
free unlimited image downloads
personal print shop
*travel, accommodations, and tax not included in prices listed
*25% non-refundable retainer due at booking
Perfect for families, maternity, birthdays, and everything in between! These sessions are super quick lasting only 30 minutes!
$300
