meet your next photographer: charleston, south carolina

oh, hello there! My name is Valarie Joy and I'm a photographer based in Charleston, SC. From a young age, I was surrounded by creativity, spending a lot of time with my grandparents—especially my grandfather, a renowned photographer and journalist in Chicago. It's no surprise that my passion for the arts runs deep. I first picked up a camera in high school and never looked back. I even snagged 1st place in a state video competition. I took that love of media with me to college, where I worked as a photographer for the Purdue newspaper and shot everything from midwest events to a Hunter Hayes concert (yep, I cried). I graduated with a degree in Communication, Visual Anthropology, and Film & Video Studies, and have since turned my love for capturing moments into a full-time career. In addition to family and newborn photography, I also work with brands and businesses to photograph corporate events and create intentional branding imagery—and I’m always open to traveling wherever your story takes me, near or far. Specializing in newborns, small children, and families, I find true joy in capturing photos for the families I work with—the little details that make each day unforgettable. To me, photography is about more than taking pictures; it’s about telling your story, creating memories, and sharing in the joy of your special milestones. It’s a gift I get to give and I love every second of it.