Framingham wedding 09

I always like to put a few images from a wedding that I am working on up online...so here are a few!

Valerie

Wedding cake humor

This was pretty amusing to me and I was unaware that cake toppers were actually made like this! I had to stop and look at the top again, which made me chuckle out loud and photograph it from different angles. So as I got to know the couple though...I actually think the groom may have picked this cake topper out...he has a wicked sense of humor.

Life imitating art? Maybe.

Valerie

...time flies

I know, I know! Time just flies.... where does it go?? Remember when we were kids...bored, wonder when we would be adults? Wanting to do our "stuff", be our own persons... 'ya so now I want to have someone else take care of me and take a nap again. Circle of life?? Thank goodness I make myself laugh!

Well~here are a couple of photos from my last adventure. Some family photos taken at my Aunt Pat's house.

Valerie

Genuine expressions

I just love capturing adorable portraits! These expressions were just too darn cute resist blogging! Their son looks like we just showed him the biggest cupcake on the planet!! LOL!!

Valerie

My passion for photography

This is me..waiting for the right waves, waiting for boats to get to just the right spot and feeling inspired watching the beauty of earth. These were taken in Maine a couple of years ago.

Valerie

Good reason why I am the photographer

Yup...I make ALL the boys cry!

Here is a great reason why I am the photographer.. 2 of the photos I took then the one that I am in is so "funny"!!! lmao...not only did "Mom" almost drop the camera but she focused on those buildings~perfectly! Her son's face is like "what is she doing?". Mind you people... he came to sit with me, was not my idea. Luckily, I love him and his Mom (very good friend of mine) so I am allowed to poke some fun at her! LOL! How adorable is HE!? This is the only child I have visited in the hospital... I prefer to give new parents (especially first timers) some time to adjust. Here he is at 18 months.

Valerie

I really enjoy the creative side of my job. When I really get to just use colors, compliment the images and have fun! I created this one and it is being purchased as a wall wrap canvas, by her father. It is awesome to really see the images all come together and a piece of "art" for the wall ...she only 16 once! I bet Dad's glad about that fact, lol.

Valerie

adorable pink hat

I have to post this little adorable face...3 months old! She was (is) doing a great job of holding herself up and her head up to see what her Mom and I were giggling at. I picked this little hat up at the convention in January also. I think that flower is as big as her face.

Valerie

New Gift Cards available

I have received my first shipment of the newly designed Gift Cards! I am very excited, they look so great and I designed them myself. They are able to be made out in any denomination.

As a matter of fact, I am sssoooooo excited that I am going to make a special offer. The first 3 clients to CALL (& leaving a message counts) can purchase a $100.00 card for ONLY $75.00!! They are good for years.... so my loyal followers-who will be getting these 3 fabulous cards. Even if you think you are too late..try calling anyway since you never know!

508-285-8400

Mother's Day is around the corner ~ 1 month to go! Baby showers, house warming, birthdays, anniversaries, christenings, new adoption and even weddings (I have beautiful scenic prints for decorating a new home).

Valerie

9 days old

This little cutie pie (and she's a girl) was brought in for a few portraits once the hospital released her to me....I mean to MOM!! LOL!! I could not wait to capture some images of her and her Dad (those are the hands)... imagine if you had a portrait like that of your you and your father. I am always trying to encourage clients (family, friends, strangers!) to capture those very young years. You can't get them back and in the future they gain value .....they come priceless. I only have one small photo of myself and my mother when I was 4 years old ...it means everything to me. Someday I will try to remember to scan it in and let my "fans" see it too!

Valerie

Bus in mirror vision.

This was just an odd scene on Rte. 495...cruising down the highway....really is that legal? It did sway an awful lot. My husband was sweet enough to slow down...have traffic pass us on both sides to grab a photo.... I wonder what you would really use this bus for?? It is pretty funny.

Valerie

busy but fun March

Ok...I know...I've been dawdling! LOL!! I got a complain that my blog has fallen behind. Shame on me...I agree. So here are some portraits I took this weekend of my cousin who was visiting from Maryland. She is 16 and half and I really enjoyed her visit. I am the oldest (gulp a few days left of my 30s) and she is the youngest of the grandchildren.

Valerie

..back to snow and cold

Ok...yes, I have nothing to whine about. St. John was beautiful and warm...relaxing, fun...did I mention warm? Here are a couple of shots of last week...have a tad bit of trouble concentrating today. I mean seriously, look at the multiple tones of aqua blue....sigh. There are daily flights to St. Thomas~direct from Boston. Hee,hee!

Valerie

St. John 09

Hello to aaaalllll! yes, it is that time of year again, my husband and I are relaxing for a week in the Caribbean~which always seems to go by so darn quick. Here is a sunset photo taken from our balcony and 1 of the resident parrot, her name is Max... she typically talks to me as soon as I walk away! Wonder why? She is adorable. Enjoy.

Valerie

photo stamp template-3 yr old

Yes...I know, all my clients are gasping! But Val is that not dots (pattern) on her sweater! Yes, they are....but these are small, tasteful and placed on a completely white background-PERFECT! This little girl has been photographed by me since she was in the belly. Even as a gleam in the eye, since I photographed her parents wedding.

Valerie

Facebook

Life just keeps evolving...changing. I am glad technology is always improving and "upgrading" (computers, cameras, networking) BUT, man it is hard to keep UP!!! I have been on Facebook for almost a year since I was contacted by someone who lived in the same town as I, in Quebec. Turns out my elementary school had a group formed. WOW!!! I found out I had seen a classmate (grade 1 & up) on TV and did not know it!!

I also learned I could develop a page for Valerie Larsen Photography on facebook. ya know...because I need more things to do! So if you are on FB please click my photo page and become a "fan"-I appreciate it. Being a friend is not necessary to be a fan.

Valerie

Arizona 1.2009

Here are a couple of photos from the trip to Arizona. These are from Sabino Canyon. I really like both of these...I seem to have a fascination with trees. I will get around to posting these on Collages too. I am going to do some groupings of landscape photos since I have some beautiful ones from the Caribbean and from Nova Scotia....yup, I am covering the East Coast!

Valerie

New props

Ohhhh MY! How adorable is this little hat, scarf and tutu!!? I just love the colors and decided to let them shine through by do a clean white background. This was the baby who was chosen for the "modeling" of this set.... her Mom was very excited. BUT, as you can clearly see from one of the photos she was not so excited about it! I had no idea I was so scary and mean! ha,ha!!

In the end, we have some beautiful photos and the hat set looks adorable. It is available for use and ready to make your child look just as adorable...but maybe (hopefully) no tears.

Valerie

Cold & snow

I guess the only thing to be said about all the snow...."if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" This is Sasha and I out cross country skiing in the power lines. Now if I can just train her to stop running through my tracks.

Valerie

H.S. Seniors ...that get creative

This photo was taken last October. We had a beautiful day...as you can clearly see! The colors are so vibrant. Here is a little lesson... colors are vibrant because it was a cloudy day. The "subject" does not squint and the tonal values of the image stay close together. Thus, it creates very rich and vibrant colors.

The little "embellishments" on the photos are something new that I picked up at the National convention... my RIGHT (creative) brain was working overtime!! It was so awesome and overwhelming...I have many ideas.

Valerie

3 weeks & 1 day into the world....

Today I got the chance to create portraits for a 3 week old baby girl, so sweet, so loved, so fortunate... and SO adorable! She has a wonderful, loving family that are all close by. Mom & Dad told me she loves to eat...2 small bottles in 45 minutes and we had trouble getting to stop looking at us, she kept sneaking peaks ....fighting the little nap we were hoping for. LOL!! That made me laugh, what can you do. 3 weeks old and we can only follow where she led us... i managed to get one of her sleeping in her car seat. Check out those teeny, tiny toes-how CUTE!!!!

Valerie

It was warm in Arizona

Hi to ALL, it was so nice and warm...this was me leaving Karen & Jim's house on our way to dinner. We went to this very authentic "cowboy" place in the desert with horse stalls out back. They had a fire pit in the middle of the restaurant and we all had fun. More photos to follow.

Valerie

Exploring is fun

Today reached a high of 78, while at home it was 9 degrees during the dinner hour. I am pretty suprised that it is so cold yet so warm here. The jet stream deeps low right beside where I am at. Doris drove me me up into the mountains in Arizona and we explored a canyon... that was fun. Got some great shots... heard about a "teddy bear" cactus that can shoot out it's needle at you if you get too close. oooookkkay. Then we headed to a mission, it is currently being restored and actually has been photographed by a very famous photographer. That was cool to see the work and the photos.

Then I had a chance to breathe in....relax, breath out-sit in the sun on Karen's patio with an amazing view of the mountains.   We chatted and then went to dinner...we drove...and drove, down some dirt roads and into a very local, cowboy restaurant (that was a great margarita made of patron) that had this thin (paper grilled) pizza and all the meats and burgers were cooked over fresh mesquite pit that in the center in the room. The restroom was on the outside of the bathroom and here were rows of horse stalls. I visited the horses.

Tomorrow we are going to park next to the Mexican border...walk across, shop and photograph and head back to Green Valley, AZ. Then i guess we are going to a local "country band" and have dinner. OK...i am exhausted, heading to bed. This vacation and conference have been busy.

Valerie

Old friends.

Well...today I am off to see my elementary friend's Dad. I have not seen him for about 25 or so years. That should be a great adventure. I will be sure to post some of those photos after I get back home. Have to run since the car is coming to pick me up so that I can get a rental car. Yes, it is going to be 72 today and I am watching how ridiculously freezing it is in the north. yikes!!!
Valerie

New goodies!

Hi ALL!
Sorry no photos with this blog. I am currently in Phoenix, AZ enjoying the warm and sun. Ya, I know that makes you want to click off this blog, ha,ha. BUT seriously, I am researching all kinds of new ideas and products to bring back to my wonderful clients. I found some cute whimsical hats for babies, some fun new products and got some ideas for next years holiday cards. Phew, that is allot of pressure-LOL!!

I also learned today that we are the first group (PPA) to be using the brand new Phoenix convention center. It is very modern, bright and eco-friendly. I also had to stand in line to get tickets to see Anne Geddes...yes, the Anne Geddes. So I am off to continue to work....well, time for a little schmoozing now.

Valerie

The weather can change....

Just wanted to post post these 2 little guys, they are so cute and all "American" looking. We picked the date but wouldn't you know...completely freezing outside. The sepia and B&W hide the red noses! LOL!! They did a great job and really smiled and fun.

Valerie

old sweaters..donate them!

Happy New Year to ALL!!!! To kick off the New Year I decided to put a photo of me wearing some adorable, whimsical mitts (& the scarf) up. I found these mitts (thanks to Kay) at a shop in North Conway, NH. They are hand made by a lady in Maine who donates part of the proceeds to different places. For example the local library (local to her in Maine). I always like when I find items that help local charities at "home".

These mitts are wool on the outside, cute old buttons and fleece lined. I have 4 people stop me ask about them. I contacted the lady who creates them and she uses all kinds of items. If anyone has wool, flannel, or blended sweaters that have stains, rips or are too small now (kids out grown them)!! She only uses portions of them-please let me know or drop off at my studio on the steps. She uses flannel on the inside and any and all buttons that you may have laying around. You know when you purchase new items, they give you extra buttons...well, I have probably 100 of those and I am going to give them to her. Most of the clothes they below to are looooonnng gone.

Thanks in advance for the donations.

Valerie

Salon & Spa

This salon and spa is a wonderful place for relaxation, a beautiful environment and a welcoming feel. That is always so fabulous when we women want a little "down" time to ourselves. Laurie, the owner has thought of everything... apples, hot coffee and little biscottis (my FAV is the chocolate ones!!).

We took this very fabulous portrait of the staff...who do you recognize??
Valerie

Doggie fun in the SNOW!!

OK...so this is me taking a moment to brag about MY baby!! My husband took this photo while I was out at the studio this morning. How adorable is she, definitely a mountain dog, Akita's are bread to hunt bear in the mountains of Japan.

Valerie

women helping women

Hello to ALL!! Just a quick blog, my busy season has just about come to a close... a few loose ends left to go and some last minute re-ordered cards.

I had the chance to go and celebrate a little holiday cheer and network with my favorite networking group. The WSN.... here is a photo (on a little camera) of all of us who attend at 3 restaurant in Franklin. What a wonderful group of women helping each other in business.

Valerie

an Italy funny

This was just sent to me from one of my fellow travellers.... yes, I am dedicated to my job. Do whatever it takes to get the shot! ha,ha! I love how my husband seems "amused" by me. OH, and the man with the gray shirt...ya, 84 years old and went everywhere we went, walked ALL day! You go BOB!

Valerie

a true spirit of giving

One of my past bridal couples has expanded their families. They decided to adopt and it has been wonderful to watch such an open loving couple add to their family. How fortunate these girls are to have landed in such a wonderful home.

Valerie

Jail chick....help!

I know...I have not been able to post, life is always extremely crazy at this time of year but I agreed to "give back" at the same time. Please if anyone wants to help "bail me out of jail" I would greatly appreciate it....but more so the MDA will! Send any help to my studio address by December 1st.

Thank you in advance.

Valerie

..always lots of fun! LOL!!

All the parents who come in think their kids are the only ones who cry and that they will never get a photo...so not true. This why I can never answer how long it will take to get a photo session completed. They have good days and ...not so good days. It is all good.

This is just so everyone can have a good chuckle, I am sorry that it is taking longer to jump on line and post but it is my busy season. Almost at the holiday deadlines and then i can blog a little more often.

Valerie

siblings

This portrait just makes me smile and laugh... the brother with his head in hands says it all.

Valerie