CANDID VANCOUVER WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
candid VANCOUVER WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
photos that feel like you
The you that comes alive around your best friend and favourite people, not the you that’s nervous in front of the camera.
photos that feel like you
The you that comes alive around your best friend and favourite people, not the you that’s nervous in front of the camera.
For couples who want to experience their wedding, not perform it.
SERVING the lower mainland,
VANCOUVER ISLAND & BEYOND
Guided when you need it. Candid when you don’t.
You might be nervous about being in front of the camera, and you’d be surprised by how common that is. That’s why I start off with prompts that give you something to do, like “give her a kiss in five different spots.” They’re just a starting point, so you can make them your own, however feels like you. It takes the focus off the camera and puts it on each other, which is where it belongs anyway. Once you’re comfortable and it doesn’t feel as daunting, I’ll move into a few flattering, natural poses.
The candid photos are the moments of you enjoying your wedding day with the people you love: you and your best friend having a laugh, being yourselves, and having fun with your guests. They happen in the in-between moments of your couple portraits, and throughout the day, even during family portraits. Like when grandma says something funny right before the family photo and everyone breaks out in laughter. Those are the ones you can’t plan for, and they end up being your favourites because they’re exactly how the day felt.
Let’s document this day in a way that feels honest, beautiful, and true to you.
Let’s document this day in a way that feels honest, beautiful, and true to you.
Hey, I’m Val,
GLAD YOU’RE HERE!
After a decade being a photographer, I still come back to how my wedding work started. My friends began getting married in 2020, back when guest lists were small and the days felt like cozy dinner parties. What drew me in wasn’t just the beauty of the details, but the emotion in the room. The quiet ways people show up for each other. The joy, the nerves, the gratitude, all in one day.
Growing up without extended family nearby, I learned that the people we choose to surround ourselves with become our family. Friends became that extension for me. That’s what I see on wedding days: the community and connections you’ve built intentionally over time. Today, I work with couples like you in Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island & beyond, who share that same love for genuine emotion and thoughtful celebration, and I’m honoured to document the people who matter most to you.
If you want to experience your wedding day fully present with your best friend and favourite people, I’d love to hear from you.
"When we received our photos, we were absolutely blown away. Every photo captured the story of our day and looking through them genuinely felt like we were reliving our wedding day."
— Kalena Eng
"Val was a constant source of peace throughout all things wedding. On the day, so many friends and family came up to tell me how amazing she was — that she just felt like a friend. And the photos? The sweetest of our special day."
— Dejah Batten
"All day, everyone complimented how she was in the right spot at the right time to capture every special moment — she didn't miss one. We looked at so many photographers and Valerie is the absolute best option. Zero regrets."
— Samantha Van Tunen
how it works
01
Fill out the inquiry form and tell me about your venue, your vision, and what matters most to you. I read every message personally. Then we’ll connect over a video call to get to know each other, and if it feels right, a deposit and signed agreement holds your date.
Reach out + secure your date
02
Before your wedding, we’ll build a thoughtful timeline together so nothing feels rushed and every important moment has space to breathe. If your collection includes an engagement session, we’ll use that time to get comfortable together first.
Plan your timeline
03
Let’s get you married
On your wedding day, just be present. I’ll handle the rest, blending into your day, anticipating moments before they happen, and creating a gallery that feels genuinely, beautifully yours. And 8-10 weeks later, it arrives, so you can relive the day all over again.
Photographs that feel real, meaningful, and full of life.
Capturing the moments you’ll want to return to for the rest of your life.
Want to see more first? View my work.