Valerie Callan Photography

10/19/2026

It’s been a great day. Until 8 p.m., when I remembered the nap mats for my two youngest still needed to be dried for Monday morning.

Except I can’t use the dryer.

A pack of crayons, snuck into my 8-year-old’s dress pocket by a friend, had already melted through an entire load of laundry. Including tomorrow’s game day jersey.

The clothes are covered in four colors of wax. The dryer is GREEN. Wax is everywhere. And two exhausted parents are armed with Dawn, a Magic Eraser, and degreaser, wondering how Sunday evening went so wrong.

But we got the dryer working, the mats will be ready, and we can play ball tomorrow. 😂

And this is exactly why I want to tell you about this family.

They drove an hour for their daughter’s first birthday session, only to realize her heirloom, custom-embroidered outfit was still hanging at home, freshly steamed and ready for its debut.

So we improvised, took a few photos of a baby in bloomers, and met again a few days later with all the birthday goods.

Because if there’s one thing I understand, it’s the beautiful, exhausting, absolutely ridiculous chaos of being a parent.

Sometimes the outfit stays on the hanger. Sometimes the crayons melt. Sometimes the dryer turns green.

You don’t have to have it all together to have your family beautifully documented. I get it. We’ll figure it out, make it work, and I promise, it’s going to be okay. 🤍

10/18/2026

There is a new Keith in the clan! Congratulations to two of the nicest people you will ever meet on marrying eachother under Cotton Candy skies with all their favorite people. The spirit of Scotland fell up Hampton Cove Venue in all the best ways and I’m so happy to have gotten to be a small part in documenting it.

10/14/2026

I pulled up to their house and spotted two little kids standing in the driveway, minding their own business and waiting for the trash truck. (I would later learn this was a weekly ritual.)

They noticed my cameras, so I asked if they were the kids I was photographing that day and if they could introduce me to their mom.

And that was it. Best friends. 😂

A girl with “red hair like Ariel” and a boy who loves javelinas and sometimes goes by “Josh Allen.” Two tiny humans who welcomed me into their world without a second thought, giving me the kind of raw, silly, wonderfully unbothered moments I will always want to photograph.

I knew I wanted to tell their story in black and white. Nothing fancy, nothing forced. Just childhood, exactly as it is.

And if you need a little perspective on just how little these two actually are, take a peek at our first photo together. They’re 5 and 2. 😂

10/13/2026

One of those humid, 100-degree sessions meant we got to play in the water! ☀️💦

If you can survive the energy of three little boys during a Deep South heat wave, you know the magic is in letting go, embracing the chaos, and letting childhood unfold. A little sweat, a lot of splashing, and the kind of memories that feel like summer should. 🤍

10/12/2026

So excited to be the official photographer for this year’s Canebrake Witches Ride! If you see me hitching a ride on a golf cart with a camera, come say hi!

A big thank-you to our Beaty Street Sponsors for helping bring the 2026 Canebrake Witches Ride to life! 🖤✨

Grayson Carter & Son Contracting, Inc. helps build North Alabama’s future through civil construction, utilities, and site development.

TriGreen keeps local landowners, farmers, and outdoor spaces running with John Deere equipment, parts, and service.

GSE, Inc. brings specialized drilling and environmental services to projects across North Alabama and beyond.

Martin & Cobey Construction Company, Inc. has helped shape Athens for decades through construction, design-build, and project management.

Little Caesars makes feeding family and friends easy with pizza favorites right here in Athens.

Alphalithuntsville brings celebrations to life with glowing marquee letters and numbers across North Alabama.

Valerie Callan Photography captures the meaningful moments of marriage and motherhood, preserving memories for families across our area.

Market & Monroe gives Athens a charming downtown space for celebrations, gatherings, and special occasions.

From building our communities to capturing memories and bringing people together, these sponsors help make Athens special. We’re grateful they’re helping the Witches Ride cast a little magic of its own! 👻✨

10/12/2026

The first time I photographed Mom and Dad while they were expecting their first child, they pulled up in a minivan. They were fully commited to being awesome parents! Less than four years later someone gets to move back to the third row :) 🚐👦🏽👶🏼🤰🏼

10/05/2026

Another little love welcomed to the Strong family. Documenting this was as fun and joy-filled at it seems 🎀🥰

10/01/2026

Another Bride and Groom turned Mom and Dad and I LOVE to see it! These three have a special place in my heart. So easy to love and their girl is blessed!!! 🎀

10/01/2026

I still have a few session openings for November and December! October is fully booked as much as I love those asking! Peep some sneaks from last months film haul!

09/30/2026

Are you worried you have invested in a portrait session and your family will not cooperate? YOU can stop that right now! This isn’t your JcPenny/Sears pose and smile kinda of service. We have fun. We move. We play. I truly love to get to know your family. Kids are my people. I made three of them! I’ve seen it all, and we are kindred spirits. This is a judgment-free zone. I fully expect the following to take place:

1. I will wipe noses. It saves me lots of editing!
2. Dad will have a really bad tan line from his watch. Mom won’t want him to wear it. Both are fine!
3. Someone will p**p.
4. Breastfeeding will happen and I’ll likely photograph it (with your permission, of course!)
5. Tantrums will be had. Not me, I’ve been pretty zen.
6. You will feel pampered and loved on.
7. I’ll notice the tension between spouses and will know you fought about pants, time of arrival, missing a work meeting, and I’ll cut that tension.
8. You will leave knowing I will somehow deliver a magical gallery and when you look at it, you’ll see you how I see you and you will re-invest in this experience time and time again.