I believe every element of the natural world has a story to tell. As a photographer, my purpose is to capture and interpret these stories in a visual format, whether it’s a breathtaking landscape image or by being a part of your family for a couple of hours to capture those special moments.
Growing up on the beautiful shores of Georgian Bay in Parry Sound, Ontario, I learned at an early age to appreciate the beauty of the world around me. In 2002, my wife Seana and I migrated to the beautiful and temperate West Coast of British Columbia. With views like the Coastal mountains and Pacific Ocean, my surroundings provide an endless number of stories waiting to be told.
I am fascinated with the art form of photography, and try to capture and convey feeling, depth and atmosphere in each of my photographs. Today, all my images are taken with Canon 5dmkII digital camera and a wide variety of lenses. Using advanced digital processing and artistic techniques, I enjoy creating compositions that are both beautiful and moving.
My people and portrait photography style is untraditional; this means no stiff poses or cheesy smiles. My preference is to shoot using natural light – not only is it the most flattering, but it also allows me to work on-location, either in your home or at a favourite memorable spot. This means you can be yourself, and being comfortable is essential in capturing your uniqueness and organic beauty. In family photo shoots, a familiar setting allows natural group dynamics to emerge and photos portray “real” moments that are meaningful to you. As you will see in my portfolio, my photos are moving and honest, and express what makes relationships of all kind unique.
van der Valk Photography is located in Sooke, B.C. on Vancouver Island and primarily serves Victoria and surrounding area. Contact me today to discuss how to capture and create lasting memories.
