Liz Vance Photography

08/19/2025

https://liz1917205.substack.com/p/i-may-have-left-something-out

Turns out it was kind of important.

02/24/2025

When you come in for a simple headshot, you'll get a headshot. That's for *you*. But the next part is for *me*. I want to have fun. And when we're done, you'll have your headshot, but you might also get hot, cool, and everything in between!

Thanks for playing along, Luke! It was so much fun!! I can't wait to see what you do next in the world!

12/15/2024

When I picked up my camera, I didn't have a plan. I just wanted to take pictures. I wanted to remember everything. And I wanted to show everyone everything. There were all these amazing moments happening, so many amazing moments, and they flew by so fast. I wanted to savor it for as long as possible, to save them.

I figured out pretty early in my photography education that I wanted to be a documentary photographer. Not necessarily a journalist, but a storyteller. I've changed direction a few times over the years, but in little ways. And even when I pivoted into studio work, and then into the more abstract images I love so much, I was still always looking for the truth in the moment. I was looking for the story.

I have been doing a lot of thinking this last year, about what my next move will be. The necessities of scheduling of all the things and all my people for the last 24 years (24?!?!?!) has been my priority, and while it still is, I'm realizing that those 24 years flew by. I hope I have 24 more, and I hope they don't go quite so quickly. I know they will, though. That's how time works. What can you do?

This is a lot of what I've been thinking about. And that the 24 years will pass, no matter what I do. But that's too big. I can't think that far ahead. I can think about five years. In five years, where will I be? I'll be in my 60s, for one. And I will or won't have my tiny farm. I will or won't have finished the book I've been working on for a decade. I will or won't be creating the art, telling the stories, making the images that I want to do.

Except I think I will. If I am anything, I am ever the optimist.

I've been working on figuring out the details, and I've almost got it.

And I wanted to let you know. Because maybe you're in that place where you're trying to decide what you want your life to look like in five years. And maybe you just need a nudge.

And I also REALLY wanted to show you these portraits.

This is Adrian and Dominique and the CUTEST BABY ON THE PLANET. Seriously, this boy is so sweet I want to dip him in my coffee.

And the reason I wanted to show these portraits in particular is twofold.

First, because Adrian makes me think about where I am going to be in a year. Or five years. Or 30. He's our family financial advisor (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED), and his job, literally, is to make me think about that. So, Well done, Adrian!

But the second reason is because I adore his whole family. And I love watching it change. I wonder where they will be in five years. In twenty four years. Who will this sweet boy grow up to be? Will I get to see it?

I hope so. But even if not, I am so very glad that I get to be here for little moments like these.

09/13/2024

"So I have to ask - are you here because you are excited about doing senior portraits, or are you here because your mom is excited about you doing senior portraits?"

I ask this of every senior who comes in. And I LOVE how many moms are excited about having senior portraits of their child! ;)

Daniel was firmly in that second category, but I had an awesome time anyway, and I think he did, too. But HE was excited about participating in the International Geography Olympiad, and once he told me about it, I was excited for him!

This wasn't Daniel's first International Geography Rodeo, but he - and his team - outdid themselves! The American team took first place! Well done, Daniel. I'm so proud of you, and I am loving that I get to brag on you a little bit! You are awesome!

https://www.iacompetitions.com/international-geography-olympiad/

06/29/2024

This has been a crazy year for me. This is the year that my baby's cohort graduated, and I have known so many of these kids, some of them since kindergarten! David is one of those kids - one of the ones I think of as MY kids. It was such a treat to be able to do his portraits - he has always been one of my favorites!! XOXO

04/18/2024

Horn-tooting time!

One of my favorite musicians, who happens to be a local guy, is in this article! If you don't know about Karl Straub, then you are missing out. He's simply fantastic.

Not long after I had met him, I was talking to a friend and he had seen portraits I had posted of Karl*. He said, "You know Karl Straub?" and I paused and then said, "Wait - how do YOU know Karl Straub??" Apparently, he's kind of a big deal. And I had no clue. I thought he was just this really nice guy who was crazy talented. Turns out he's all those things.

XOXO
Liz

*One of those is in this article! Two horns tooted for the price of one! Whoo hoo!

For 23 years, this live music venue was Arlington’s talent-spotting band locus. We asked some of its key players to reminisce.

04/10/2024

Sometimes you do everything right, and the tie STILL comes out backwards! As you can see, we did eventually get it right! And Ned looks like he should be the next 007. I loved that eyebrow so much! XOXO.

04/09/2024

HOW???? How did this baby grow up so fast!?? Sophia was one of my favorite babies - after a shoot, she and Bug would play. I just love her and her family to bits!! Patricia, I can't believe we are here already.

03/20/2024

Happy birthday, Molly DeMaret Tahu!

03/03/2024

If someone had told me that shooting teenagers would be so much fun, I would have started doing this DECADES ago.

LOVE LOVE LOVED having Trevor in for his senior headshot session! Such a good kid!

10/04/2023

This girl - SO MUCH FUN!! And then when it was almost over, a bunch of friends showed up, and we did a fabulous group portrait of her posse! I think this might be my new favorite thing to shoot!

Not posting the group shot until THEY have a chance to see it first (it's only fair), but I had to show you Ellie!