Today we’d like to introduce you to Vallery Orr.
Vallery, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The urge to create has been in me since I was a toddler. I would draw, paint, write and even design clothes. What drew me to photography was the ability to communicate my perspective of the world.
I received a Canon T6i as my 14th birthday gift two years ago. As I got the hang of my camera, I always had it slung over my shoulder. What was once a habit turned into a passion—but my style needed time to develop.
In Spring 2019, my passion turned into a business after returning home from a hiking trip to Big Bend National Park. Something about the golden undertones and rawness of the desert hooked me, and that ended up being the inspiration for my style. I definitely didn’t expect an outdoor adventure to form the foundation of my brand. But once it happened, I understood my style, and everything made sense.
I created a website, my work was quickly published in a few magazines and embarked on this crazy, yet rewarding journey.
I moved into portraiture because it’s always so interesting to see how someone’s individuality comes out when they’re in front of my lens. Sometimes we get so used to seeing ourselves in the mirror and hearing our own thoughts, we become limited in our view of ourselves. Great photographers have an instinct for looking past the obvious and bringing the unexpected into focus.
My goal is to inspire other teenagers to express themselves and make their mark on the world. Just because we’re young doesn’t mean we don’t have natural insight into artistry, business and leadership. My generation is building the future, and that is through influencing and leadership, but how we achieve that is being unique individuals.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No road is smooth. We all have our obstacles and challenges. I started my business with my camera, zero money and little experience with business & marketing. On top of that, I was a freshman in high school in all AP classes. The workload and odds seemed stacked against me, but I held on because pursuing photography is part of me. Now that I have created a manageable routine, balancing work, art, school, and social, it’s like second nature to me. I still go through periods of time, like we all do, where the workload just seems unwieldy, but it’s benefited me. The greatest lesson I’ve learned through the struggles is that between obstacles and long-term goals if you really want it, that desire cannot be broken. We have our ups and downs, victories and complete losses, times we feel like giving up, but somehow we don’t stop hustling for that goal.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Vallery Orr Photography – what should we know?
I specialize in wedding and lifestyle photography, however, I am always experimenting with different types of photography and ways I can expand my business. I have done everything from weddings, drone, commercial, seniors, families, newborns, models, and events. I love learning new things and tackling new challenges.
Coming from a background in the arts, I like to get creative with my portraits. Through trial and error, I have created this distinct style represents my brand. What really sets my brand apart from the crowd are the bold, golden undertones of my photos. Gold for me represents authenticity, wisdom, and genuineness. I don’t just focus on the essence of the moment, I focus on showing the inside of someone. And ultimately, I find myself in what I see of you during a photoshoot.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My philosophy is to proceed as if success is inevitable. Although success is never final, there are definitely markers to look out for. Success, in my definition, is when you are at a point with your art, craft, business, etc. where you can inspire others with your originality. One of my favorite quotes is “It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” Herman Melville Saks.
Creative blocks are totally natural and they’re part of everyone’s journey. Inspiration changes at a moment’s notice and sometimes, just a short walk down the street can break us out of those creative ruts.
When things aren’t going right, I know success is on the other side. Hardships and setbacks are just part of it. We have to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: valleryorr.com
- Email: valleryorrphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/valleryphotography
- Facebook: facebook.com/valleryorrphotography
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