Family of the week

The Alleman family at the Ritz Carlton, Dana Point, California.



family photography

Shot of the Day

3 week old "little" William. I was told by Williams proud mom that his hobbies are eating and taking baths.



newborn photography

January Photo Contest

Two more last minute self portraits from Sarah age 6



My name is Paul. I am 11 years old.

This picture was sort of hard to get because my dog was moving around and she didn’t want to look at the camera. Hope you like it; it took a lot of trying to get it right, but it was fun!

The Perfect Gift for Valentines Day

Let us create a hard cover album for your Valentine.



Our hard cover, hand-sewn book has smyth-sewn binding which sets this press printed book apart from other hard cover books. A matt satin finish cover adds to its elegant look and feel.

Here's our VALENTINES DAY SPECIAL.

Album pricing includes:
- Hard cover album size of your choice (up to 20 sides)
- 2- 8x10 Units
- All previews

5 x 5 Album package 199.95 Additional Album 100.00
7 x 7 Album package 229.95 Additional Album 120.00
8 x 8 Album package 249.95 Additional Album 140.00

Customize your album cover with color, border, text and image choice.




Call or email to reserve your Valentines photo shoot today. (949) 367-0077

info@valwestoverphotography.com

Since we had such a great response on our January Kids Studio Special, we are going to run it one more month.

FEBRUARY KIDS STUDIO SPECIAL

CHOOSE ANY COMBINATION OF 4 UNITS FOR ONLY $99.95
(Your 4 units can all be different poses)

Appointments won't last long so please call today to reserve this special sitting.
(949)367-0077 or email us at info@valwestoverphotography.com

Let us freeze this moment in time by capturing the innocence of your most precious ones.

Scroll down to see all of the different Portrait Unit combinations.

8x10 Portrait Unit
2-5x7's Portrait Unit

4-4x5's Portrait Unit
8-Wallets Portrait Unit
1-5x7 and 4-Wallets Portrait Unit
1-5x7 and 2-4x5 Portrait Unit
2-4x5 and 4-Wallets Portrait Unit


3-4x6 Portrait Unit





children studio photography

Shot of the Day

Max is 3 years old. He likes driving cars, playing with trains and loves pizza!



children portrait photography

Shot of the Day

"Big Boy" Jackson is almost 2 years old. He likes to spend his free time playing basketball and ridding his new bike.





studio portrait photography

January Self Portrait Contest

Thank you so Much! My name is Morgan Partin-Topper and i took this photo of myself when i got my new phone! Thanx!

January Self Portrait Contest

This self portrait is 8 year old gymnast Julianna.

Shot of the Day

GOT BABIES? We have been photographing so many cute babies lately, we just had to show case a few of them. The studio is such a great place for baby portrait photography because we are able to capture their incredible personalities in a fun, quiet, and safe atmosphere.




baby portrait photography

January Photo Contest

Here is a self portrait of Lauren Age 6 while on a hiking trip in Coto De Caza.


Here is a self portrait taken by Dawson Age 8 while on a hiking trip in Cota De Coza.

Shot of the Day

Happy Birthday Marika.
The shot of the day was provided to us by Stephanie Adriana. She said that she had so much fun photographing Marika's 1920's birthday at the Historic Madison Restaurant in Long Beach, California. Marika is front row, center.



special event photography

January Photo Contest

These 2 Self Portrait photos were sent to us by 6 year old Sarah.

Shot of the Day

Little "Haley" getting ready for Valentines Day. San Juan Capistrano, California



children photography

January Photo Contest

kimberly medina in laguna beach




Hi Val-

Sending in my entry for the photo contest, hope it's not too late! Sort of an "accidental" self-portrait, taken on Christmas day.

Hopefully the fact that it wasn't taken with a Canon camera will not sway your opinion, but hey, I'll ditch my little pocket cam in a minute for the Rebel! :)

Thanks for lookin!

Rich Dickerson

January Photo Contest!

Hi everyone, this is just a reminder that we are still accepting entries for our January photo contest. This month, anyone is eligible to enter. The winner will receive a Canon Rebel camera kit.

It’s easy to enter, just email a self-portrait of yourself to us so we can show case your talent on our blog for all of our viewers to see and you just might be this month’s winner!
email us at: info@valwestoverphotography.com


This photo is from Jimmy, age 13


The next 2 photos are from Michael, age 11


This photo is from Tommy, age 8




Hello,

I am so excited to hear that you are having a photo contest! I love photography so so so much and it has always been a strong passion of mine. I would love to eventually get paid for it and I love looking at your site/blog and learning from your incredible talent. My family, the LeSueur's, love your work as well and your photos are all over my parent's home.

If I understood it correctly; you are looking for self-portraits. I have been looking through my photos for hours now and I just need to decide, so I hope I have what you are looking for. I have attached the following photos:

1) my husband did this self-portrait of himself just when the sun was hitting the blinds through the window perfectly. i decided to edit the photo to sharpen the lines and bring in the yellow-like-the-sun color.

2) my self portrait was taken at the top of a black diamond run at snowbird, utah. just me and my snowboard...thanks to a pole and my camera timer...i got this shot. this was my identity through my college years in utah. :)

3) i threw in this one just for fun. it is a silhouette shot of my husband jon at utah lake.

I know the next step to taking even more amazing pictures is getting the right camera. I have wanted the rebel for quite some time now...it is my dream camera! It has been number one on my list for a while, but rent always gets in the way!!! You would make me the happiest aspiring photographer ever if I won the contest! Thanks for the opportunity.

here is my photography blog for more of my pictures:
http://photomylove-jill.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much!!!! Have a great day!!!






Here is a photo of my son Braden and our dog Murphy. Murphy died unexpectedly a few days after I took this photo so it has special meaning to my son. I think it really shows the tenderness and love of a boy for his dog.


Hi Val –

Here is our attempt at a family self-portrait. We took 87 pictures (no joke!) using the remote shutter release to get one that had almost everyone looking toward the camera. It’s much easier, and it turns out much better when you do it!! Please come to Oregon and do a real photo shoot for us! Maybe on your next trip to Montana?

Cheers,
Benny, Julie & Cammi Benson
Sisters, Oregon



Shelby sends us these photos of her daughter.
Here are some pictures of my daughter Ella taken at the beach.
Ella is 4 years old.




This Self Portrait was sent to us by Celena!
Thank you Celena, your baby is on the fast track of becoming a very talented photographer!





This Self Portrait was sent to us by Tracy, and this is her story!

I couldnt resist entering the contest, as the prize was something I could REALLY use, as my camera is now bieng literally held together by duct tape due to a fall caused by a faulty camera strap. (and because I love a good photo challenge) But I really did not want to get in front of the camera. As I agonized over this with my husband, he said 'Why don't you take that scar picture youve been talking about for years. Thats a self portrait isnt it?' And it got me thinking.


When I was 12 or 13 ( I just remember that it was middle school) I started cutting myself. I dont know really how it got started. I dont even remember the first time. But it continued, and got progressivly worse, to the point that after my senior year, I was hospitalized. I'd like to say that the hospital helped me, and I quit, but thats not true. While my time in the hospital was important, I got worse still. I cut once that was so deep it gaped open about an inch, but I refused to go to the ER for stitches because I knew that they would put me away again, and I had a job and my own apartment and was too selfish because of what a hospitalization would do to those. That scar is my biggest one. Shortly after that I met my husband, who unlike my previous boyfriends, did not put me down for it. He stayed with me through the good and the bad, and the awful. Its been 4 years since I cut reguarly. I've had a few set backs, and I still get 'the itch' and thats hard to ignore. But with the love of my husband and my daughter I get by.

This photo was really hard to take (and not just because I kept knocking the tripod over and having the camera fall on my head :-)
These scars are a part of me that I dont nessacarly share. For my friends and family, its just kinda common knowledge, and its not really discussed. New friends figure it out over time. But there are people that catch a glimpse, and stare at me. I've lost potential jobs because a possible employer has seen one poking from out of my sleeve, and quickly ended the interview. I was fired from one job because the new manager said because they are self inflicted, they count as tattoos and they had a no tattoo policy. But I have an attachment to them. They are a part of me, and they remind me of where I have been. Sometimes we talk about getting them removed if I can hit 2 years of no cutting (no setbacks) and I want that. But then I feel like that would be erasing part of the past. Its very bitter sweet.

So this is very much a self portrait. Whether or not I like it, this is who I am and unfortunatly these scars define me. Thats not all I am, but thats my 'outside'. If I dont get to win that camera, Im still glad that you gave the push that I needed to get this done. And even though it was hard to do this, and show them like this, it was/is rather thereaputic.

Im sure you really just wanted the photo, and not some huge long novel to go with it. But thats not the kinda photo that I can just hand over, and not explain. And thats kinda just me. I'm an 'explainer' :-)

Thanks,
Tracy

Ps the word art on the photo is from the Papa Roach song "Scars" its a great song!

PPS! As I went over to the blog to grab your email, I noticed that you have a link to Andreas Closet!!! Thats SO AWESOME of you!!! Thanks so much!

Brandon & Sara

I had the opportunity to meet and photograph Brandon and Sara in Dana Point, California. This couple was truly in love and I had so much fun being apart of their engagement photo shoot. Thanks Brandon and Sara, it was fun and have a great time at your wedding in August!
You will be able to tell how much Brandon and Sara Love each other by viewing the slide show below!

Shot of the Day!

This High School senior portrait was taken of Jessica in Laguna Beach, California.


high school senior portrait

Family of the Week!

The Collier family, Dana Point, California.


family photography

Shot of the Day!

The Shot of the Day is brought to us by Stephanie Adriana. This beautiful engagement shot of Haley and Brian was taken in Laguna Beach, California. January is a busy time of year for engagement photography as couples are preparing for their Spring and Summer Weddings!


Wedding photography

Photo Contest!

The theme for our November photo contest was "Thankfulness", and even though we our now focusing on the January photo contest I'd like to share this email that I just received.



I was sad that I discovered your site too late, during a google search, I was led to your November contest and I knew just what photo to send. But alas, the contest was WAY over. I'd like to share my photo anyway.

I'm grateful for the nurses and staff at the hospital that my daughter was at. I'm greatful for her bravery, and good spirits through the whole thing. But mostly I'm greatful that she is better.

I wont participate in this months challenge as I refuse to get in front of the camera:-) but hopefully I can join in on some others and maybe win a prize like that sweet camera pack.

Your photos are fantastic. I used to work at a studio as their retoucher, but your stuff surpasses his.

Shot of the Day!

This Head shot of Joshua was taken in Laguna Beach, California. This is a great time of year for on-location head shots beacause of the strong winter lighting!


on location head shots

Family of the Week!

The Lo family, laguna Beach, California.
Kenson, Beth, Samantha & Sydney live in beautiful Dove Canyon. Kenson is a pediatrician in Mission Viejo. Visit his website at socalpeds.com. Contact number 949-305-8805


beach family photography

My Trip to Salt Lake City!

Well, I just got back from spending such a great time with my kids, my brother Sean and his family, my sister Heather and her family, my sister Dawn and her kids. Besides skiing, sledding and sight seeing, I spent most of my time just hanging out with the family! This is just a small glimpse of my week!