Hi. So Lovely to Meet You…

My name is Valerie, I am a creative director and photographer focusing on artistic, intentional story-telling and thought-evoking experiences.  I create under my lifestyle company, The Eternal Child , which focuses on exploration and gathering together to feed the mind and soul with good food and creativity. I produce print and online media surrounding this concept, along with curating artful gatherings and immersive workshops. My work is thoroughly connected with the earths natural elements, pulling from nature wherever I am. I also specialize in design and development, surrounding food and atmosphere, working with different brands and artisans.  As a photographer, I focus on lifestyle and the artistry of food, portraiture, still-life and nature. My work is driven to evoke emotion if it be either captured within a photo, or laid across a table to experience. I believe in the magic this world has to offer, and how we can create inspiring moments and touch lives if we simply just try.

So, My Story….

I have always thought that to live a full life, is to live a creative life. Something that I have had the privilege to have experienced so far. I believe it all began as a child, always barefoot and covered in earth. One of my first memories is walking through the tunnel to the ocean, the tall pine trees swaying above me and the warm ocean breeze kissed my face. I had a happy childhood, always outdoors and surrounded by love. I grew up within the realms of my own imagination and in waldorf school — Where playing with clay and watercoloring were the building blocks to my education.  As a bright eyed child my mother covered my life with flowers and crafts, and made every ordinary day special and magical. Something that has stayed with me my whole life.  She was an earth momma of the 80’s, ahead of her time and obsessed with natural foods and gardening. She was a head strong women, who on the day of my birth got on her hands and knees to plant a garden under my window. A garden that I remember to this day. I believe this is why I have such a love for the natural earth and fill my life with as much of it as possible. 

My father was a self made man, extremely creative and good with his hands. He has spent his life building his business,  creating high-end architectural woodworking for the top 1% . A highly competitive yet humbling business. He was the guy that always made sure everyone was taken care of, and is by far one of the hardest working humans I know.

I was born the middle child of three highly creative and passionate siblings. My sister is a chef, specializing in pastry, who spent the last 15 years living in the Austrian Alps. While my little brother, good at everything he touched, taught himself how to play the piano by ear and was a highly competitive athlete.  I grew up in between them and lost in my own imagination. 

I attended art school from the age of 12 and spent my days studying character and story-telling. I majored in theater and was the historian of the thespian society. I always had a camera in my hands and documenting life was my past time. I didn’t realize until later in life, that this was to be my passion.  I decided to move to England for college and found myself at 17 on my own and in a new country. I attended the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, where I studied Acting and Directing. I believe this choice to uproot my life and experience the world, was a major transition in my life. Coming from a competitive art school in south Florida to a slow paced, dreary old town, along the coast of England, was a jolt to my system. At the time my sister was living in Austria, running her own Cafe and I traveled as often as I could to see her and the mountains. Those years in college, when you are on your own are what truly give you an identity as a young adult. For the first time I was experiencing a world far beyond my own reality. I quickly fell madly in love with the history that laid within the walls I called home. I romanticized the cobblestone streets and colorfully hanging signs that lined the ancient streets. I spent my days in coffee shops reading plays and spent my nights in pubs where those playwrights used to write. The simplicity of life in the UK was tempting, but I knew I wanted more.