Meet Valerie Randall, Amazing iPhone Photographer

I discovered Valerie Randall on Instagram, because she was tagging some of her photos #tranquilityproject. Since January 1, Stonington-Mystic Patch has been doing The Tranquility Project, in which we post at least one photo a day that is designed to give us all a little moment of Zen. We use #tranquilityproject on Instagram and Twitter.

Valerie is a newcomer to Stonington, and an amazing photographer. We wanted to share her artistry and the eye she brings to where we live with all our readers. Please meet Valerie Randall.

Name: Valerie Randall  

Age: Multiple choice: a. older than dirt b. a lady's age is a secret c. i was born in 1955, you do the math ;) d. Gah!  

Town of residence: Stonington Borough  

Where did you grow up: I'm not sure I have grown up. I was born in Alaska. I gestated there longer than I lived there. We drove across country when I was about 3 months old, my parents needed to return to their home of Vermont to assist in the care of my fraternal grandmother until she passed. I lived in Burlington, Vermont and then Dad was sent to Yale in New Haven, Connecticut.

I was in the first grade when he was transferred to Japan, so we drove across country during winter break and stayed with my Grandfather who had, on a lark, moved there after his wife died. I started first grade after winter break in a tiny town called Graton, but it became clear that I was bored and the teachers suggested I'd be fine if we went on to Japan without waiting for the school year to finish. So, during spring break, we flew to Japan. I attended 3 different schools in my first year. I lived in Japan through the 4th grade and then we returned to California. I lived in California up until fall, 2012. Like my grandfather, I drove across the USA, only this time, I returned to the home of my ancestors.  

Educational background: I graduated from high school and was awarded a 4 year scholarship to California College of Arts and Crafts but Dad was decided it would be better for me to go to a junior college and get all the basics out of the way. I worked part time and completed my AA from Chabot Junior College in 2 years, eager to attend CCAC but there was a theory that if I really wanted to continue my education, I could work my way through.

I opted to simply work so I forfeited my scholarship and let life be my greatest teacher. I did, however end up teaching for 5 years at the Academy of Art University. Seven college courses in three days. Crazy. But fun. Except the 2 hour one-way commute.  

Occupation: Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Art Director, Artist, Digital Scrapbooker: it all blurs together. I just create. Endlessly.  

How did you get started in photography: My dad liked to take pictures, so perhaps the seed was planted then. But his photos weren't great, often poor composition, out of focus, bad lighting. I think for him, it was more the need to document things.

As an adult, I used photographs (but not mine) often in my design work. I worked with corporate clients (General Electric, Levi Strauss, AT&T, Broderbund Software, Sun Microsystems, to name a few) and I was often hired to art direct, for my eye. How I see things just comes naturally. But I rarely picked up a camera. I watched film being processed, I worked side by side with photographers, but I can't for the life of me figure out all those settings. Eventually I got a Nikon film camera, a Polaroid, and then was thrilled when digital cameras came out, I still use (although rarely now) a Canon DSLR. I mostly point and shoot. I don't really consider myself a photographer, I'm more an artist with a new tool.  

What equipment do you use: My iPhone 5! Once I arrived in Stonington, I started lugging around my DSLR, big lenses and a bag, so heavy and cumbersome and obvious. It's so beautiful here, so very unCalifornia, and yet so hauntingly familiar. My vision was on overdrive (still is.)

But I had always wanted an iPhone and was waiting until I moved here so I got one within 2 weeks of moving and that's the game I play now. Only iPhone photos on my Instagram feed. My iPhone is pocket ready. A perfect size and weight, good resolution, and then there are all those apps! And filters, frames and fonts that I design as well; as do a few of my friends.  

What do you like best about taking photos: That meditative space of seeing beauty in everything. And a feeling that I am documenting my journey and sharing my experience. As a digital scrapbooker, I'm keen on telling the stories of our lives and photography can capture so much. My photos also give my friends back in California a great sense of relief to see that I survived a New England hurricane and blizzard, that I am happy with my crazy choice to move here, that no matter the distance, through the power of my images, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, I am connected with those I love, in a visual and creative way.  

What's your secret to taking a great photo: Take it more than once, try different angles. And if it turns out less stellar than you expect, then play with apps. I have saved many poor photos and turned them into something more interesting just by using different apps and digi-to-mobile products. But most of all, learn to see and appreciate the world around you large and small. And have fun.  

What's your ambition: To live life joyfully, completely, with great reverence for all that is.  

How can we find your work:
Beautiful prints are now at the Yellow House Coffee & Tea Room in Stonington Borough and also available through http://instacanv.as/valerieran
Patch Blog: Through My Eyes
Digital scrapbooking: http://shop.happytocreate.com/Valerie-Randall/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/valerie.randall2
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ValerieRandall
Instagram: http://instagram.com/valerieran