Meet Jenna

Van Valen Photography has been evolving for two decades.

A long time ago I ran a photo lab (back in the dark ages of film), and the world of photography unfolded before me. After my first husband died from Marfan Syndrome, I moved to the Pacific Northwest to start over; it was the scariest, hardest, most important thing I've ever done. I have grown and changed so much - I fell in love again, made new friends, found my way around my new home, and I relearned photography from the ground up.

In the past 14 years since my move I have photographed weddings all over the country, and recently I've branched out into Mexico. I've met babies and families, I've made lifelong friends with my clients. I love the personal connection we share when I spend time taking photos of someone.

It is my goal to move to Mexico in the coming decade, and work with couples and families who travel there for their own special weddings, and unforgettable family trips. I look forward to living in a small town, days spent with excited couples in beautiful places, and time spent with families bonding on their own magical vacations.

Photography has really gifted me a wonderful, full life of experiences, people, and memories of beautiful places. I am a proud LGBTQ Ally, and embrace all families and couples in love.

Here's a little more about me: pink is my signature color, I have man hands, and a HUGE laugh.

I'm a step mom to a gorgeous young woman who lives in New Hampshire. I didn't contribute a lick to her good looks, but I did help shape her taste in music and sense of humor. She lives entirely too far away.

I'm a wife to the funniest and smartest man you'll ever meet, and he's really tall and hard to miss in a crowd. He works hard as an attorney - which isn't as awful as it sounds, and I love and respect the challenging work he does for the public good. He is also a wonderful wedding officiant, when the need arises.

My hubby and I love to travel, which can be difficult given our home is full of rescue pets, and our yard is full of exotic chickens and ducks. We love to venture off the beaten path - we aren't "cruise" people or "resort" people. We're more of "pick a place on google earth and find a way there" people. It has led us to some amazing spots, and memories we'll cherish always. We spend most of the year bowling together (my top series is a 626: 201, 212, 213), and watching movies on our couch under a whole pile of adorable senior dogs and special needs cats we have adopted together. We spend our summers swimming in the chilly Columbia River, where some of our closest friends own a floating home. We recently bought a small urban farm (and installed LifeProof flooring, thanks Home Depot), so we can continue to rescue senior dogs.