About uS

YOUR CANDID WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Just over 20 years ago, I picked up a job as a senior in high school. With that first paycheck, I bought my first camera. Today, I have a beautiful family with my wife and two amazing boys. I live in Colorado and found myself behind the camera telling love stories. It's funny because my brother would probably laugh knowing that I,  the guy who swore he’d never get married, now photographs weddings for a living.

My brother, who was the best man at my wedding, passed away during the pandemic. Having photos that captured his happiness on that day is profoundly touching. And it’s one of the biggest reasons I love doing this work, because I get to see him when I work to deliver that same attention to detail to my clients.

Black and white portrait of a bald man with a beard, arms crossed, looking to the side.

Meet Manny

| Husband | Father | Army Vet | Former Teacher | Dorky Shy Guy | Studied Philosophy | Love Europe |

OWNER & LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER

A quick rundown on me

  • I Love History & Traveling.

  • I love writing, photography, and yes, I build Legos (now with an adult budget).

  • My go to music is rock and hip-hop.

  • Iraq Combat Veteran and a High School Teaching Combat Veteran too. Survived both!

  • I’m a nerd, fueled by dad jokes.

  • Firm believer that dreams don’t just happen,
    you will them into existence.

Black and white portrait of a bald man with a goatee, resting his chin on his hand.

My Vows to You

  • I vow to be more than just your photographer; I’ll be your biggest supporter and occasional comedian, awkward moments included. (You can chuck tomatoes at me when my jokes fall flat)

  • I promise to capture the big, epic moments and those sneaky ones you didn’t even know were happening.

  • I swear to make you laugh, even if my jokes are bad. I’ll keep things fun, laid back, and not force you into cheesy poses unless that’s your jam.

  • I’ll make sure you look like absolute rockstars, even if you feel like you’ve got two left feet.

  • I vow to have extra tissues handy for the tears and a secret stash of snacks, just in case.

A small waterfall flowing over rocks in a forested area during sunset, with the setting sun casting a warm orange glow and illuminating the surrounding trees.
Photographer and his wife enjoying a fun trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Photographer with his 1-year-old son sitting on his shoulders, examining a leaf together.
Photographer’s 1-year-old son sitting in a park, curiously examining a bracelet.
Photographer taking a silly selfie outside the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.
Photograph of the photographer’s late older brother in full military uniform and gear while deployed in Afghanistan.

I’ll see you in Valhalla

How WE Got Here

WHY WE DO IT OUR WAY

Miguel wasn’t just my brother, he was like a father, my best friend, and the guy who could make me laugh when I didn’t even want to smile.

Don’t tell my wife, but aside from a few key shots, I probably wouldn’t have thought much of our wedding photos… until I realized I only had a few more years with him.

Now, those photos of him, smiling and laughing, are some of the happiest memories I have.

I’ll never forget that day, and I’ll never stop cherishing those moments.

Photographer with his late older brother, who was his best man, on his wedding day.

WHAT THEY HAVE SAID

“His photos are absolutely stunning.”

Manny did a wonderful job communicating with us and planning before the event. He spent time getting to know us and what our goals were for our photos. Manny captured one of the best days of my life and he did it beautifully. He was wonderful to work with and we cannot thank him enough for the amazing photos he took. His photos are absolutely stunning and because of him I will always have these moments to admire and relive.

— Desiree & Don

WHAT THEY HAVE SAID

“We had a blast shooting with Manny.”

Manny went above and beyond for our elopement. He took time to get to know us as a couple beforehand and put in the effort to make our day extra special. Manny was always there to answer any questions. He helped us with posing and made everything look and feel so natural. The photos turned out so amazing and we couldn’t be happier! We had a blast shooting with Manny and would absolutely recommend him for your special day.

— Mikha & Tristin

WHAT THEY HAVE SAID

“I can't stop looking through the photos.”

Words cannot express how grateful I am that we found Manny! He truly went above and beyond. During our meeting, Manny, completely ruined all the other lame plain phone calls I had with other potential photographers tbh! He kept us posted every step of the way and offered encouragement leading up to our wedding day. He made us so, so comfortable and knew just how to get us to loosen up during our portrait photos, and most notably, Manny's photos and style of editing are GORGEOUS. I am blown away with our final album. I cannot stop looking through the photos. My only regret was not finding him in time to do our engagement photos.

— Andrea & Shay

WHAT THEY HAVE SAID

“We’ve had non-stop feedback from friends and family.”

Manny worked with us for our wedding in Boulder. Manny had a way of ensuring our day was going to be captured to the fullest by setting up a virtual call to discuss important topics for our big day. Upon meeting Manny at the venue, he instantly began helping in all aspects. We’ve had non-stop feedback from friends and family of his outstanding work. I give Manny more than a 10/10! Thank you again Manny, you’re amazing!

— Marisa & Riley

WHAT THEY HAVE SAID

“From start to finish, he was an absolute pleasure to work with.”

Manny was the perfect photographer for our elopement! He captured every special moment with such care and attention to detail. From start to finish, he was an absolute pleasure to work with, friendly, and incredibly talented. His ability to make us feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera truly made the experience enjoyable. The photos turned out even better than we imagined, beautifully preserving the memories of our special day. We can't recommend Manny enough for any event or occasion. Thank you, Manny, for making our day unforgettable!

— Tracy & Ken

WHAT THEY HAVE SAID

“The quality of their work was truly outstanding.”

Valr Studios Photography was the perfect choice for our wedding photography. From the very beginning, Manny was quick, responsive, and incredibly sympathetic to our needs as a couple. Their communication style was effective and made the entire process seamless. The quality of their work was truly outstanding. On the day of our wedding, they showed up on time and ready to go and being there every step of the way to immortalize our big day. Manny is a true professional - caring, attentive, and a fantastic listener who ensures he delivers the exact experience you desire. We are thrilled with the results and couldn't recommend Valr Studios Photography more highly.

— Val & Ryan

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Rated on Google

PORTFOLIO

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE WORK

Weddings
WEDDING GALLERY

RELIVE EVERY EMOTION

Your wedding day isn’t just one event, it’s a series of moments big and small. From morning preparations to your final send-off, this gallery highlights how we capture every detail and emotion as it naturally happens.
VIEW GALLERY
Engagements
ENGAGEMENT GALLERY

CELEBRATE YOUR STORY BEFORE THE BIG DAY

Your engagement is more than a milestone, it’s the start of your story together. This gallery highlights the laughter, the quiet moments, and the little looks that remind you why you’re saying "yes" in the first place.
VIEW GALLERY
Colorado
COLORADO WEDDING & PORTRAITS

WHERE MOUNTAINS MEET MEMORIES

From sweeping mountain views to hidden forest trails, this gallery highlights the stunning backdrops Colorado offers. Whether it’s a wedding, an engagement, or just a moment worth capturing, this is Colorado at its best.
VIEW GALLERY
Florida
FLORIDA WEDDING & PORTRAITS

GOLDEN LIGHT, OCEAN BREEZES, AND ENDLESS MEMORIES

We embrace everything Florida throws our way, vibrant skies, sandy toes, and yes, the occasional afternoon storm. This gallery captures the fun, color, and energy that Florida couples bring to their sessions and weddings.
VIEW GALLERY

The Talented People I love Working With

Photo of Rachel from Rachel Dowd Photography, a fellow photographer I work with.

Rachel

Colorado & Arizona

Photo of Anna from Anna Hernandez Photography, a fellow photographer I work with.

Anna

Colorado

Photo of Lina from Lina Candid's Photography, the photographer I rely on in Miami.

Lina

Miami

True-to-life moments,
Emotionally Preserved

True-to-life moments,
Emotionally Preserved

You’re not just hiring someone to take pretty pictures, you’re choosing to relive the way your day felt. I document the quiet in-betweens, the loud belly laughs, and the real, unposed joy that makes your story yours. Because years from now, you shouldn’t just remember what it looked like, you should feel every second of it.

You’re not just hiring someone to take pretty pictures, you’re choosing to relive the way your day felt. I document the quiet in-betweens, the loud belly laughs, and the real, unposed joy that makes your story yours. Because years from now, you shouldn’t just remember what it looked like, you should feel every second of it.

You’re not just hiring someone to take pretty pictures, you’re choosing to relive the way your day felt. I document the quiet in-betweens, the loud belly laughs, and the real, unposed joy that makes your story yours. Because years from now, you shouldn’t just remember what it looked like, you should feel every second of it.