Hi there!
I’m Laura Valenti - a photographer and curator who helps people hone their vision, deepen their relationship with their craft, and make meaningful images they love.
I’ve had my fingers in a lot of pots in the art world, for over 20 years now. I teach interactive e-courses, support emerging photographers in my creative mentoring program, speak to photo groups, and curate exhibitions for galleries and photo festivals around the world. I also jury photo competitions and serve as a reviewer at national and international portfolio review events, where I help photographers fine-tune their vision and promote their work with more confidence.
The Light Atlas courses are here to help you clear creative blocks and bring forward your most skillful, authentic, wholehearted work. Each of my offerings goes deeper than mere mechanics - into the heart of making your creative process brilliantly, joyfully alive.
Featured e-courses...
THE VISIONARY PORTFOLIO
Learn to move beyond haphazard image-making to create a cohesive body of work that reflects your true artistic voice. If you want to exhibit, publish, or build a strong website, you’ll need a portfolio (not collection of “greatest hits”).
Arise & shine:
Photo meditations for challenging times
Arise & Shine is two weeks of guided meditation and photography. Each gentle lesson is a chance to pause, center yourself, and create art that nourishes your spirit. This course is filled with beautiful image prompts.
Studio chat:
creating your own opportunities
Take charge of your visibility as an artist. Learn to get your work out there on your own terms (instead of depending on curators, publishers, and jurors to pick you for their gigs). There are so many options!
Join me in the studio...
Join me on my YouTube channel for rich conversations about creativity and photography. I chat about new images, make prints, experiment with materials, and share my best advice for living a creative life. Plus, there are cameo appearances by my adorable pups! Take a look at the new videos:
Free creative resources...
SIGHT + INSIGHT
Join me for a free, five-day photography e-course! Sight + Insight is about slowing down, deepening your relationship with light, and making poetic, heartfelt images. If you're bogged down by “rules” and "shoulds," this course will help you recalibrate and connect with your inner artist. All cameras (and all levels) are welcome! You’ll get the first lesson as soon you sign up.
BEING PRESENT
Sometimes I wake up in the morning with creative ideas...and I grab my phone and record a voice memo from bed. And now, I’m sharing them for the first time! In this one, I chat about what to do when you're somewhere breathtakingly beautiful...and you can't find anything to photograph - along with a few other ideas about connecting with your environment on a deep level. Get the audio.
TAKING THE JOURNEY
Another “early morning, bright idea” recording, made while teaching a photo retreat in China and Eastern Tibet. In this one, I chat about freeing the creative spirit. If you ever feel like you prep too much, research too much, and get too mired in tools and technique…and you're ready to spend more time actually being an artist - this audio will help. Get the audio.
Print shop!
Find prints to inspire creativity, joy, and hope - prints to adorn your walls and beautify your sacred spaces. All prints are made with love in my home studio. They're printed on scrumptious fine-art paper and signed, sealed, and delivered to you!
Follow along on Instagram...
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