Valerie grew up in the small town of Meaford on Georgian Bay. She discovered photography during the late sixty's while attending Sheridan College. Wanderlust intervened taking her to live in London, England, She later sailed the English Channel, cruised the canals of France to the Mediterranean and beyond.

Returning from abroad she joined Canadian Airlines and continued her romance with the world. Valerie returned to school after a back injury grounded her in 1987. At Humber College she studied Media and most importantly "PHOTOGRAPHY". There she received the Polaroid Award and the Presidents' Letter.

In 1990 she was hired by the Etobicoke Board of Education. The next seven years where spent shooting photos and videos in varied locations and conditions. Memorable experiences included shooting photos of Princess Margaret opening a new school and writing and producing a video dubbed in twelve languages to introduce new students to school in our country.

After a career ending car accident her husband, two dogs and cat moved to Kincardine. Valerie spent the next six years renovating their rustic lakeside cottage before hanging up her tool belt and picking up her first digital camera. Being a diehard film user with no computer skills this presented a learning curve she could not imagine. A year later with her first computer and printer she set out to conquer the world of digital photography.

July 2007 she was on her first "Artist's Studio Tour" in Kincardine. That November Valerie was honored to be the guest artist at the Southampton Art School and Gallery. In the spring of 2008 she became a full member.

Valerie's black and white photography is an eclectic mix of landscapes, water, nature, stills and whatever takes her fancy. She enjoys experimenting with new mediums such as canvas, mulberry paper and other non traditional photography papers. The "Bruce's" ever changing moods constantly challenge her creativity to capture new and interesting moments in time. Often translating this "moment" in time visually can be harder than taking the picture.

Valerie's love of photography has quickly turned to her passion and obsession. Being totally self taught, she is constantly striving to gain more knowledge in her chosen field. As she has said from the beginning of her journey "how hard can it be?"