Conversations with Tammie Valer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammie Valer. 

Hi Tammie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I started as a portrait photographer and ventured into other genres for about nine-ten years. I am overall versatile, but I have recently settled on music photography. 

I have always loved music as a kid. I loved to sing but always felt immense anxiety going up on stage or simply just being in the spotlight. I eventually outgrew that dream, but my passion for music never died. I was drawn to the music that related to my current emotions, and I would find myself analyzing the lyrics. I hardly listened to music just because it sounded fun. 

My love of photography started in middle school. It didn’t occur to me that I could pursue photography as a career until college. I tried to pursue different avenues in the art world, but at some point, I had finally admitted to myself that photography is all I want to do. 

I started a small publication project during college, focusing on local musicians and artists. I began photographing the musicians we featured, and through this experience, I met several great musicians who would later invite me to their live shows throughout LA. 

These musicians seemed to enjoy what I captured during their shows so they would share these photos and recommend me to others. This is how it all started. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I spent a few years attending shows almost every night and networking with artists in the industry. It definitely wasn’t an easy road. I faced rejection and dealt with the instability that comes with freelancing. I overcame the challenges by just moving forward. If something didn’t pan out, I let it go. I knew I had to keep trying. Music and photography are my passions. I can’t give that up. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in live music photography and musician/band portraitures. The first thing I do when I’m about to work with a musician I may not know is to get to know who they are. I do this by listening to their music, conversing with them, or attending one of their live shows. I find it impossible to truly capture the essence of a band or musician without doing research. I ask them to describe their vision to me so we can compare notes. I always want them to know that I understand them and their music. That’s my priority. 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I think the biggest lesson I learned in this career is that if you are truly passionate about something you have to be willing to take risks. At the end of the day, it’s your life. I am a firm believer in following your heart. I believe in doing the things that feed your soul positively. I’ve taken many risks in my own personal life and in my career and I don’t regret making any of those decisions, because they all led me to where I am now, and I couldn’t be happier. 

Contact Info:

• Email: tammievalerofficial@gmail.com
• Website: https://tammievaler.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tammievalerofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tammievalerofficial
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tammievaler
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjVznOnqDmn_4NfLmxt6Pg

Image Credits
Natalia Fernandez
Thievery Corporation
Delta Rae
Hannah Connolly
Alicia Blue
Leila Milki
Little Galaxies
Miley Cyrus
ToBy