New studio!? Oh my goodness…I can hardly believe those words when I say them.  But after having shot a handful of sessions there now, I know that it really is true, that it really is there, and that it really really is mine…well, ours.   My friend, Kellie, from Across the Miles Photography, and I have joined up to share a space.  So it was our blood, sweat and tears, and some hard workin’ muscle from our husbands and my mom.  (Thank you, Neil and Tyler, and thank you, mom!)  Our hard work has paid off.  Our Tiffany Blue (made up name by us) walls greet us every day now, helping showcase all our work.  It’s such such an amazing thing to see my/our work hang on walls that aren’t walls in our homes.  Ahhh…it’s so great.  How truly thankful I am.  And all because of…you.  My friends, family and clients, whom I am entirely grateful for. Very very grateful for.  8 years of using film, then “going” digital, lots of children, families, seniors, preggie bellies, babies, some commercial jobs and 75 weddings…well, it’s all paid off.  I’m so so blessed.

Those of you who did make it to my open house February 6th, I whole-heartily thank you.  It was a really wonderful day.  One that I will always remember.  I saw so many people whom I hadn’t seen for years.  Thank you for supporting me and thank you for your compliments.  I look back on the day now with lots of joy.

If you missed the open house, here ya go!  I have to say, though, it’s much better in person.  So I hope you will stop by.  I am at 113 East Elm St., Argenta, IL 62501.  You can schedule an appointment with me at 217.519.3245 or by email at vwallacecamp@mac.com  But no pressure.  I’d love to just see everyone, so stop by and say “hi”!  (Make sure you call or email me first as I’m not there every day.)  It’s funny because I’m, well….home.  Argenta is where I was born and raised.  It’s nice to be “back”.   <3

Waiting area

Front right window | View to the right when you first walk in.

The biggest surprise of the day was a visit from 2 college friends, Patty & Shawna. I hadn't seen Shawna since we graduated 10 years ago and it had been a couple years for Patty. Love you, guys!

It just wouldn't be right to show off the studio without showing off my beautiful babies. This is my Finley with my husband. Finn is almost 5 months here.

An Olympic ice carver was practicing for the last time before the Olympics outside our window on this day. My kids were glued to the window all day long. Here's Maia, my 4-year old sweet pea.

And here is my Noah. He is 6. My kids...they are what make my #1 job so amazing. That of being a mom. They are so young, but already supporting me immensely. I love you three so much!

Thank you, followers, clients, friends and family!  You are all the best!  Thanks for visiting.

(And please leave comments here!  I love comments!  Would love to know what you think!!)

I’ve not officially made it known yet, but today I am…I have some great big news!   Drum roll….I am the new tenant of a building which is going to house MY NEW STUDIO!!  Oh my goodness is this ever exciting for me!!  I’ve wanted this for 8 years now but didn’t want to just jump into it.  I wanted it to be the “right” time and that time has come.  You know when things are meant to be when they almost literally fall into your lap.  Ahhhh…I’ve been so blessed in my walk of life.  I’m truly very thankful.

So where is this studio?  It’s at 113 E. Elm in Argenta, Illinois in the “downtown” area.  This makes me giggle because if you know Argenta, you know that it’s about 1,000 people in size and the downtown is really hardly a downtown.  It comprises of a bank, a community building and a builder, and…now US!  I say “us” because my friend and colleague, Kellie Penn from Across the Miles Photography, is joining me on this venture.  We will be sharing this space.  How will that work you say?  Well, exactly how a beauty salon works!  We’ll have our own clientele but will share everything from the backdrops, lighting, furniture, props, etc. but still have our own separate businesses.  It’s going to work and work well we think!

We got the keys and signed the papers and after Thanksgiving we hope to begin painting!  Anyone want to join in on a painting party?!  The space is HUGE and back when it was built, was a mercantile store in the late 1880’s!  It’s a beautiful building with original tin ceilings and wood floors.  Oh it’s glorious!  Since I am from Argenta and my family settled in Argenta in the late 1880’s, all of this holds dear to my heart.  Oh you should see our paint colors!  So divine!  I am just giddy with joy   Can’t wait till you stop by and see us.  We hope to officially start “shooting” in January.  That’s our goal, anyway.  Being a procrastinator (like most of us photographers seem to be!), it may not be January, but oh it sure it sounds good!!  More to come on this and hopefully with an actual “open” date.

In the meantime, I hope you’ll add me to your blog roll and feeds and come back daily to see what’s new here.  I’ve been very busy getting back into the groove since the birth of Finley and with the holidays coming up, well, it’s a bit crazy.  But I’m a blogger and will always make time to come chit-chat here.  Thank you for joining me on this journey!  I’m so excited!!!!!!

With love ~ Val

P.S. And, here’s my new logo designed by no other than…. me.   Sometimes I have to put my graphic design skills to good use.  It’s the last month, I think, that I’m paying off those student loans!  Another “hip, hip, HOORAY!”

I had to put in the "speech bubble" just for fun