Valeri Andersen Photography

Craving this giveaway!

2011-04-26T23:08:00.000-06:00

Crave Photography is giving away one of the most incredible giveaways I've seen! A FREE all expense paid 2-day in person private workshop! Um, yes? I'm not sure what I'd do with myself if I won! This woman is incredible!

Check it out RIGHT HERE! Giveaway ends in a matter of hours so hurry and enter!!!

First California session!

2010-11-21T22:14:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I had my very first California session! It was in Vacaville, my home town, and with an old friend whom I haven't seen for at least a decade. Leah and I go way back to our elementary school days. We were in the same 6th grade class, and graduated high school together. We recently crossed paths on facebook, and I was so thrilled when she asked me to take her family pictures! Seeing her again and meeting her cute little family was just a blast.

It was a cold, wet and overcast afternoon, but the rain held up and the kids stayed happy - 2 very good things! Leah's older brothers (and family) were also included in some of the pictures, I just haven't gotten to those yet. Here's a peek at what I have done.

Thanks for a fun session, old friend! It was wonderful seeing and hugging you again AND meeting your beautiful family! I hope you enjoy! I also hope another decade doesn't pass before we see each other again! :)

Relocating

2010-09-20T13:00:00.000-06:00

Not sure who even still looks at this blog considering I've updated it once in the last six months. Sigh...

Well, here's my latest excuse for not staying on top of things! Are you ready? Valeri Andersen Photography is relocating to Northern California! My husband accepted a job in the Stockton/Modesto area and has been out there working since the first of July. My babies and I are leaving Colorado next Thursday, the 30th to finally join him permanently. I do plan to resume business once we're settled, but it will probably be a little bit considering our housing situation is still up in the air.

I have thoroughly loved Colorado, and have met some amazing clients and photographers, many of whom have become dear friends. This is where I felt inspired to start my business to begin with, and for that I owe Colorado a great big thanks.

Here's to new adventures awaiting us in sunny California!

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Temple - Sacramento, CA
September 2010

Attention Seniors!!!

2010-05-19T00:01:00.007-06:00

Yes, it's been a while - months, in fact! I am hoping to get this blog a little bit up to date in the coming days. First things first though. It is officially Senior Portraits season! I have put together some packages, which include both a CD of images AND professional grade prints. Double bonus! So check them out, and if you know of a senior wanting some portraits, send 'em my way!

Here's a peek at my first senior of the season. More on her to come.

And now for the packages!

$150:

45 minute session at location of client's choice
CD containing 12 digitally enhanced images and full printing rights to enhanced images
1-11x14, 1-8x10, 2-5x7s, & 16 wallet sized professional prints

$200:

1 hour session at location of client's choice
CD containing 15 digitally enhanced images and full printing rights to enhanced images
2-11x14s, 2-8x10s, 3-5x7s, & 24 wallet sized professional prints

$275:

1.5 hour session at location of client's choice
CD containing 18 digitally enhanced images and full printing rights to enhanced images
2-11x14s, 2-8x10s, 3-5x7s, 48 wallet sized professional prints, & 1-16x20 canvas print (a $100 value)

*Clients will receive a password to view their images in an online gallery, and to select their prints.

*If client desires to have ALL images taken during his/her session on a CD, an additional $40 will apply.

For more questions, or to book your session, contact me at 719.440.8025 or at valeri@vandersenphotography.com.

Beautiful baby girl

2009-12-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

Here's a peek at a session I did on Monday.

Words cannot describe the intensity and beauty that this little spitfire encompasses. Ah!

On a side note, I'm working on a website. I suppose that is my excuse for being so lousy about updating this blog. I am hoping to have it up and running within a week, so stay tuned!

Two girls and some leaves...

2009-10-30T23:26:00.005-06:00

Here are some favorites from a shoot I did a couple weeks ago.

...Sisters...

Mr. & Mrs. L

2009-10-16T23:24:00.006-06:00

Here are some photos I took at my cousin (in-law)'s wedding last week. Between juggling my little ones, trying to give the professional photographer his space (he was extremely accommodating), and catching a flu bug part way through the day, I was not able to capture nearly what I'd hoped to. Still, the little bit I did get I'm very happy with. Enjoy...

Congrats, you two. Like I said when B announced the engagement, you guys are gonna make beautiful babies! Love you both!

Baby Love

2009-09-21T18:50:00.004-06:00

I absolutely fell in love with this couple. They are having a baby boy on Wednesday!

Good luck on Wednesday, you two! Can't wait to meet your little guy.

D family

2009-09-19T17:44:00.003-06:00

Here's a shoot from a few weeks back. Family of 5, soon to be 6!

You'll meet Baby girl E in just a few short weeks. Thanks, P and A!

Brown haired, blue eyed beauties

2009-09-14T11:11:00.004-06:00

Can I just say I love photographing children?! They are, without a doubt, my favorite. Each experience is a new adventure, and there's never a dull moment. Especially when you have to chase your subject down to get a decent shot! I was out of breath by the end of this photo shoot.

But hey, the work out paid off! See for yourself...

One of my favorites...

Thanks for an amazing shoot, P & S! You guys make beautiful babies!

Sisters

2009-09-13T00:04:00.003-06:00

Precious about sums it up! Enjoy.

G, E & T

2009-09-12T22:07:00.005-06:00

I had a great time with this family! Especially the girls. For months I'd envisioned photographing little girls in tutus.

So when J contacted me and mentioned the words "daughters" and "tutus", I was ecstatic!

I've never seen a more radiant smile from an 8 year old boy! Have you?

Beautiful kiddos. Thanks again, J! Let's do it again sometime!

Angel baby

2009-09-11T14:27:00.003-06:00

Last week I had the opportunity to photograph one of my dearest friends with her little boy.

At nearly 18 months, he has already endured quite a battle. You'd never know it though.

Just look at that smile!

He's an angel. It's as simple as that. Thanks, M.

Sweetness...

2009-09-01T12:01:00.002-06:00

Look who I got to photograph last Thursday!

Baby A. 10 days old. Sweetness.

19 month old big sister loved giving kisses!

And here are the proud parents!

Can we say smitten?

This one was totally unplanned. Up to this point, K showed little if any interest in having her picture taken. Then out of nowhere, she took a break from toys and wandered over to say hello. Good thing I had the camera ready!

Thank you for letting me capture your beautiful family, C & J! You guys were awesome!

The B Family

2009-08-27T23:58:00.003-06:00

Here's my second family session. I've never photographed this many people at once, so it was a new challenge. Learned a lot of about aperture!

Sorry L & S, I couldn't resist...

You guys are a hoot! Thanks for an entertaining evening!

Senior pictures continued...

2009-08-21T09:58:00.007-06:00

Here's just a glimpse of the fun D and I had finishing up her senior pictures last Saturday!

Beautiful place to shoot. Beautiful person to shoot. Thanks, D!

My first senior

2009-08-13T22:15:00.006-06:00

I have known this girl since she was 11, and now she's a big high school senior! Where did that time go? I'm sure that's a more appropriate question for her parents!

We had a location down town picked out for this shoot, but the rain forced us to reschedule. Luckily it did slow down long enough for us to run to a cool area behind my neighborhood and grab these shots. I'm so glad we took advantage of the literally 5 minutes we had, because look at the pictures we ended up with!

You're beautiful, D! Can't wait to do more. Let's hope the weather holds up Saturday! Stay tuned everyone...

Sure do love a newborn...

2009-08-12T23:50:00.004-06:00

You met his parents a few weeks ago. Now let me introduce you to 6 day old Baby L!

I think she just might be smitten...

Dad too...

Apparently the shoot took a lot out of this boy!

Love the eye contact in this one. What a moment.

This little man was sure entertaining! Thanks for a fun afternoon, D and S! He's beautiful.

Twins

2009-08-07T18:54:00.010-06:00

Look at these little blue eyed dolls! 8 months old.

They make quite the precious duo, don't you think?

6 days old...

2009-07-21T00:15:00.006-06:00

Here's my first newborn session: 6 day old Baby G. This little guy's mommy and I were in the same first grade class, and have been life long friends. Thanks, M. We had a lot of fun, didn't we?

Picture overload, perhaps? But did you really mind? I didn't think so.

Baby Bump, Part 2

2009-07-20T23:14:00.002-06:00

And here's Part 2, my personal favorite. These two were a crack up to photograph. And D was a VERY good sport. I don't know many guys who get excited about this kind of stuff. Come to think of it, I don't know many guys who are even willing to do this!

Look at those blue eyes!

D & S are expecting a baby boy any day now.

We've already scheduled the newborn session, so you'll get to meet him soon.

Baby Bump, Part 1

2009-07-20T22:39:00.011-06:00

Here is Part 1 of S's maternity session.

What a perfect little bump.

First Family Portraits

2009-07-20T22:04:00.005-06:00

I got to photograph this cute family a week and a half ago. Unfortunately, what we hoped to be a 45 minute shoot turned into a 12 minute shoot. Thank you, Colorado rain.

This little fire cracker loved the camera. As if it wasn't obvious!

It was a great first experience. Thanks for being easy on me, M & M!

Welcome!

2009-07-20T21:15:00.000-06:00

Having recently gained a bit of experience and acquired a small portfolio, I thought it would be nice to have a place to post some of my favorite photographs. I have loved photography for as long as I can remember, but never really considered pursuing it until the end of last year. Since taking that step, I've discovered in me a true passion. I have found fulfillment and joy. And I've finally discovered what I want to be when I grow up!

I take hundreds of photos a week, sometimes a day, and am constantly experimenting with different angles, lighting situations and camera settings. I'm taking photography classes to better my technical knowledge of the art, reading as much as I can and picking the brains of fellow-photographers (you know who you are). I am so hungry for knowledge and growth and hope to continue to obtain both in the coming months.

Welcome to my photography blog, and please visit often! I will update it as I gain more opportunities to photograph the people and things I love.