let's get to know each other
Hey there, I'm Lacey Valentine!
I love people. I love stories. I love telling peoples' stories through the lens of my camera. My story? Well, when I'm not busy capturing your life stories to go down in history, I can be found loving on my 4 sweet kiddos, serving at our local church or school, getting lost in a good book, testing out a new recipe, raising awareness for Type One Diabetes, or planning our next great adventure...I love to travel and I'm always looking for a good excuse to do so!
When Hospitality meets Photography... HVP is born!
My love for people, travel, diverse cultures, and a fast paced environment began at an early age. When I was a junior in high school, I worked any chance I got and saved every penny I earned in order to take the school foreign language department trip to Europe. We toured Paris, Switzerland, and Germany, and I was hooked from there! I decided to attend Purdue University in order to study business management and marketing. I hoped this would be the backbone to my future ability to travel the World and enjoy all the people, landscapes, and food it had to offer. At the beginning of my freshman year, I came across a job posting as a night manager for a local hotel. That sparked the start of a 16 year career in Hospitality, from an hourly night manager in college to a Regional Hotel Manager with 8 hotels in my portfolio. I enjoyed building and training up employees, meeting guests from all over the world, and catering to their every need for their stays, meetings, and events. In 2008, I was blessed with the opportunity to spend 7 months living in Italy and traveling through the amazing country as well as Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium. Every step of the way, I was attached to my camera, documenting life as though if I blinked and forgot to click the shutter, it wouldn't really have happened. I've always been an advocate for savoring memories as a keepsake for future generations. It is because of this passion of mine that I one day woke up in 2022 and realized I needed to share my talent with the World. So, I decided to apply my background in business, marketing, and hospitality to my passion of photography and travel and truly loving getting to know people, and that's when Happy Valentine Photography was born! I sincerely hope you are as excited to work with me as I am to work with you and create beautiful memories in beautiful places for you to savor for years to come! I promise that throughout the entire experience, you will feel cherished and genuinely enjoy our time together.
"As an emotive photographer in AZ, my style typically leans towards a light and airy approach with creamy skin tones, a gorgeous sun glow and soft blue greens. However, my signature stye is marked more by the emotions I am capturing than the final edit. My editing approach is always tailored to match the moment, not a preset. Your location, weather, skin tone, choice of wardrobe, and personal style play into my edits in order to truly document the moment as it was, with subtle enhancements you will love."
YOU'RE JUST MY STYLE
Life is all about people, moments & emotions that we want to hold on to...
I believe every person is unique, which is what makes photographing you so incredible. I get to be a part of your story for a brief moment in time. I get to see the thing that you want everyone to see. I get to capture the things that are most important to you and that you want to hold on to.
It truly is an honor. In a world where we are told to go, go,
go, it is refreshing to take a mental time out with you; to take in the scenery, the fresh air, and the people you love; to watch you make eye contact with them, hug them, dance with them. It's not every day we remember to do these seemingly simple things, but a session with me will bring you right back to center. We're capturing emotions, feelings, moments together...not pictures.
My Happy Valentines
william, micah, isaac, & Isabella
Meet my crew! Will is a social butterfly like mama, goes big in all he does, loves to swim (we keep checking him for gills), and hasn't met a sport he doesn't love. Micah is a sweet, calm master negotiator and peacekeeper. He loves music, art, and science, and is obsessed with the ocean and everything in it. Isaac is our spicy little T1D buddy with more character and energy than his body can contain. He's a classic jokester with the best sense of humor. Bella is our easy peasy little cherry on top!!!
More Happy VP Families...
My Travel Dates
Take a look at where I'm already planning to visit, or let me know if you want me to meet you somewhere new. I am always up for a little adventure!
Due to residences in both states, I consider anywhere within a 3 hour drive to Phoenix, AZ or Indianapolis, IN "local" when viewing my Elopement & Wedding Day Collections.
I do not charge a travel fee for venues outside of my local range, however only select Collections are available for Destinations in order to make the most of our time together.
2023
INDIANA - Monthly
SEDONA -May
PUERTO PENASCO - NOV
CABO - APRIL
2024
Indiana- Jan/Aug/Nov
Iceland- march
Italy- June
Flagstaff-Sept/Oct
Sedona- Sept/Oct
Salt Flats- December
San Diego-December
2025
Napa- January
Oahu- March
INDIANA- May-Dec
Scotland-July
Amalfi Coast- Sept
Iceland- Nov
Bahamas-Dec
2026
Maui- March
FUTURE DESTINATIONS COMING SOON...
Greek Isles
Faroe Islands
620 Loft & Garden, NYC
Carlsbad Flower Field
Carribean Islands
French Countryside
Book one of these destinations and receive a special add-on to your Collection as a Thank You for helping me with my bucket list! :) I can't wait to celebrate your love story in a new amazing location!