Rising Stars: Meet Faith Valentine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Faith Valentine.

Hi Faith, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a photographer located in Topeka, KS but I travel anywhere for photoshoots and especially KC! My business started back at the beginning of 2020 right around the time the pandemic happened. I had no idea it would turn into what it has today especially during a pandemic.

Photography always has been a passion of mine. I was the head of staff in my Senior editing and yearbook class at Washburn Rural back when I was a senior in high school and I would always go to the football games and take pictures of my fellow classmates in the moment in the spirit section and just capturing those special moments. I enjoyed it so much, and not just football games, but so many other events and even some classmate’s senior portraits. Fast forward seven years later and photography found me again when I was at a very low point. I was in college and I had no idea what I was going to do. I was halfway through and still haven’t made a decision about what I was going to do with my life, but I kept leaning towards mass media. I also recently had a baby around this time while doing online classes and motherhood was a struggle but my little baby boy kept me going everyday. I have taken so many pictures of him and he is now two and half, and about to turn three years old! My business started because I enjoyed taking portraits so much of him! He is my whole world. Being the owner of my business and a working mom is tough but I have learned to balance it the best that I can!

I have been through a lot in my life, but nothing has gotten me through it more than this business has. It’s been almost two years now since I got this started but I have met so many amazing individuals, families, and couples! I’ve captured so many special moments for people and I am grateful that they chose me to photograph those parts of their life. I’ve done about eight weddings since this business has started and I have 12 more booked for the upcoming year and next year! When I started this, I didn’t even think I would get one booking or a wedding even! And now I’m booked every week until the end of this year! I have been referred by so many people and I am so grateful!

I can’t wait to see where I am in a few more years.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been almost two years since I officially started this business. And to be honest, it hasn’t always been smooth, but it’s that way for everyone at some point, right? I struggle with anxiety. It’s something I hate admitting, but I threw myself out into this business during a time where my anxiety was at its worst and I have forced myself to go out there and take life as it comes no matter what. I went from having huge anxiety and panic attacks to doing weddings! I sat and wondered how was I going to do this? A big event with my anxiety and panic attacks. I couldn’t! It would never work out. And surprisingly I went to my very first wedding and it was so easy. Now I am on my tenth wedding at this point. But with my camera in my hand, clicking away. I forgot my anxiety was even there. I was in the moment capturing this bride and groom and it was so beautiful and in that moment, I realized it was gone during that time. And in every moment, during photoshoots when I’m doing what I love, it just disappears. Photography is a passion of mine and anxiety is a constant battle, not just for me but for others I know too, but no matter what I knew I wasn’t going to let my anxiety control this wonderful business I got into. I still struggle with it today but I know my passion for this is much stronger.

Also, with being a new mom, I have to juggle my schedule and editing images while watching my toddler on the side nowadays. It gets challenging, but at the end of the day, it is very rewarding. I also have an amazing husband who has helped me with these struggles along the way and is even my assistant at some weddings!

Aside from weddings, I’ve photographed models in KC too and that is something I also enjoy! I was very nervous the first time I ever did it but those images I have captured in KC have been some of my absolute favorites.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Every photoshoot, I put a lot of effort in. I’m a perfectionist for sure. I want to make sure my client is happy, or my bride and groom is happy once they get their pictures back. The last thing I would want is for someone to feel like they didn’t have a good time at the shoot and they hated their portraits! So I always try and make everyone at the shoot feel as comfortable as possible. Every shoot is unique, I get all types of different photoshoots. I do maternity, models, seniors, creative photoshoots, weddings, couples and boudoir, and the list goes on. A lot of people say you have to pick what you want to do and be that specific photographer, but I haven’t gotten there yet! I love doing it all! If I had to pick a favorite, I would say couples, models, maternity, and of course weddings! Lately, I’ve been known for weddings but I’ve had a lot of people come to me for creative shoots. I’ve done a couple of creative shoots. My favorite one I have done was last year! It was a witch themed photoshoot.

I brought a hocus pocus shoot to life basically. I envisioned it and the way I wanted it to go and it came out just the way I wanted it to! I think every photographer is unique in their own way but what makes me different is I can relate to others so much! I’m a mom, I have normal life struggles, and I don’t give up. If a model or anyone at their shoot has a certain look they want to achieve, I always make sure to get that shot even if I have to click halfway up a tree to get that shot. I will do it. I like to think of photography as one of the most physical things I’ve done for a job. I think a lot of people think photography is as simple as point and shoot with a camera, but it’s so much more than that! You have to be at the same level sometimes and that requires bending and even a step ladder. It requires laying on the ground and pointing your camera up to get a unique shot. It also requires a lot of thinking with the physical. You have to make sure during a shoot that a certain pose looks good while you’re running around trying to get all the angles.

What I’m most proud of is myself actually… and it’s taken a while for me to say that. I know it’s only been two years of officially this business, but I have pushed myself to get out there even at my lowest points and I’ve become successful around my town and I’m booked up through this year and even next year is starting to book up and I am beyond grateful. And with having a toddler and being a businesswoman, those two things are a lot to juggle at the same time. I am also proud of my husband for adjusting with his work schedule and mine. He helps a lot and together we are a team. In my job, he is my assistant sometimes and he watches our son when I’m out on a shoot and overall, I am grateful for everything.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I have yet to find anything like that yet but there are a few people I look up to and get advice from occasionally! Dawn Higgins is an amazing photographer in the KC area and I actually went to get my photographs taken by her and she has been amazing! I always keep up with her even if we are a city apart and she is phenomenal! Every photograph she takes I am always blown away by! I look up to her work a lot!

Pricing:

• Portrait and regular sessions start at $150
• Weddings start at $900
• Model fee starts at $120

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.faithvalentinephotography.com
• Instagram: @faithvalentinephotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithvalentinephotography

Image Credits
Faith Valentine Photography