Hi, lovely artist!

I’m Laura Valenti. I’m 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. I teach e-courses, support emerging photographers in my creative mentoring program, 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 reviews, where I help photographers fine-tune their vision and promote their work with 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.

 

Me & my lovely Oregon coast retreat students.

Me & my lovely Oregon coast retreat students.

Traveling with students in Eastern Tibet. Gorgeous mountains!

Traveling with students in Eastern Tibet. Gorgeous mountains!

Life, Love & Bean Cakes…

If you’re looking for my formal bio, keep scrolling. Otherwise, here are a few fun bits about me:

  • I live in beautiful Portland, Oregon with my beloved pups Tali Pearl and Juniper Teacup.

  • I love coffee with soy milk and cinnamon, hand-knitted socks, the scent of rose geranium, African violets, flowy pants, playing guitalele, and talking to animals in a high-pitched voice (they like that, right?).

  • For most of my life, I've looked a lot younger than I am. People thought I was 18 when I was 40. It's actually been a challenge - but it's helping me approach aging with gratitude. Here's to eye wrinkles! Here’s to 46!   

  • I spent the first fifteen years of my life living in Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong. I go back to Asia every chance I get…mostly to eat all my favorite foods (Japanese bean cakes and pickled plums!).

Hot off the press!
Little test prints in my studio.

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Photographing with my trusty twin-lens.


My professional background:

I've spent about 20 years in the art world as a photographer, curator, arts director, and educator. I worked for 15 years in the nonprofit art world, most recently as Outreach Director at Photolucida - an organization that works to build connections between photographers and the gallery and publishing worlds. Before that, I was Program Director and co-Curator at Newspace Center for Photography, where I also taught black-and-white darkroom.

I often serve as a professional reviewer at various portfolio review events (such as Houston FotoFest, Review Santa Fe, Photolucida, and many international reviews), where I help photographers fine-tune their vision and promote their work with more confidence.

Recent curatorial projects include shows at Praxis Photo Arts Center, PhotoPlace Gallery, LightBox Photographic, Center for Fine-Art Photography, Photographic Resource Center, RayKo Photo Center, the Oregon Historical Society, and the Lishui International Photography Festival (China).

I've also juried exhibitions for many different organizations over the years, including Center (Santa Fe), Photo District News, The Oregonian, Photo Center Northwest, Critical Mass, Rangefinder Magazine, and the KL Photography Awards (Malaysia), among many others. 

Learn more about my photography and teaching philosophy on the Huffington Post.

Your creative journey…

Wherever you are on your creative journey, and whatever step you decide to take next, I hope you’ll remember that:

  • There’s no “one right way” to make art. The key is to find your right way. You can do that by fully honoring your intuition in every moment.

  • You don’t need an art degree and lots of expensive gear to be an artist.

  • Who you are matters. When you infuse your work with your true voice, perspective, wisdom, and personality - it becomes more powerful and meaningful.

  • Art is far more than a technical exercise. It’s an insight practice. It’s a tool for understanding ourselves, our world, our relationships, patterns, hopes, fears, challenges, dreams, and joys.

  • If tears come to your eyes when you’re photographing…that means you’re on to something.

  • You already are the artist you’re waiting to become. Let go of the idea that you’re continually working towards something you can never achieve. You can step into your full power as an artist right now. You have it in you.


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A gift for you:

Would you like to sample one of my e-courses?

Start with Sight + Insight.

It’s a fun (and free!) five-day photo e-course about slowing down, deepening your relationship with light, and making poetic, heartfelt images.

If you're bogged down by tools, rules, and "shoulds," Sight + Insight will help you recalibrate and connect with your inner artist. All levels (and cameras) are welcome!

Enter your email below and I’ll send you the first lesson.
 


If you’ve already taken Sight + Insight and you’re ready for more, one of my e-courses would be a great next step.

Or, if you’re looking for detailed feedback on your images from a seasoned curator, juror, and professional portfolio reviewer, mentoring is probably the right option for you.

Follow along on Instagram…

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