After 30 years as a Personal Assistant to large Government and Educational institutions in the West Midlands, and at the age of 50, after receiving her first DSLR, Valerie decided to change her career.

Having always been interested in photography, Valerie could be seen with a camera whenever possible, particularly on holiday or family gatherings. The love of photography and capturing moments in time lead Valerie to study at Sandwell College for a Higher National Certificate in Photography followed by a BA (Hons) Degree in Photography at University of Wolverhampton.

Valerie has been exhibited at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery; Art’s Café, The Public, West Bromwich; The Mander Centre Wolverhampton and The George Wallis Building, Wolverhampton together with private commissions to provide backdrops for a production of Oliver for a local theatre company; promotional images for 3 local comedians and Chance Heritage Trust; portraits for Aldridge Golf Club as well as photographing the Spring front cover of Prosper a Black Country business magazine.

Over the last 3 years, Valerie has been photographing local High Streets as a social and historical record of how the High Streets are changing at the start of the 21st century, like the work created by Martin Parr in the 70’s and 80’s and his ability to capture ordinary people doing ordinary things – at the seaside, in supermarkets, in their homes, or at village fairs. Parr’s work shows the change of fashion; society and the way we lived.

Valerie’s current exhibition uses a variety of medium such as digital photography and screen-printing and looks at how small-town High Streets have changed and evolved from providing essential goods such as bread and milk; fruit and vegetables and pots and pans to more service lead establishments such as nail technicians; barbers; hairdressers and charity shops. It is Valerie’s belief that the High Street have evolved in such a short period time primarily to the sudden increase of internet shopping due to the Covid pandemic in 2020/21.