About Valerie Kay Photography - Maternity Photographer in Austin, Texas

Hi! I'm Valerie Steinkoenig
I own and operate the following studios:
Valerie Kay Photography, Austin Newborn Photography, and Austin Maternity Photography
Most people call me Val. I was born and raised in Texas and have called Austin my home for over 20 years. I am a mother of two amazing kids, a wife, knitter, seamstress, renaissance enthusiast, photographer and have two cats, and a bearded dragon. I specialize in documenting maternity, birth, newborn, and the milestones of baby’s first year & beyond.
In 2017 I moved the studio out of my home into a new studio in North Austin and in early 2021 we moved to new location on North Lamar Blvd.
I studied photography at Austin Community College in The Dept. of Professional Photography, where I received the Certified Digital Assistant and Certified Photographic Artist certificates. I am a member of the Professional Photographers of America, Texas Professional Photographer’s Association, as well as the Austin Professional Photographer’s Association. I am a Certified Professional Photographer.
In 2021 I earned the Professional Photographer's Associations Master of Photography Designation.







continuing education
Each year I continue my photographic education and strive to perfect my craft. My work has earned several awards and has been featured in Click Magazine. My fine art work has been shown in art galleries around the United States.
I believe in safety and am a certified APNPI Qualified Newborn Photographer and have completed the Safety Education Course developed specifically for those working with the maternity, baby, and newborn populations. APNPI certifications increased my safety awareness about the unique needs of infants as needed in photography. These certifications require online training, testing, as well as image submission. You can only apply for the certification quarterly. If you fail any portion you must resubmit the next quarter.
I have studied Maternity Photography and Newborn Photography with some of the best in the industry:
2011-2016 Studied Photography at Austin Community College, Dept of Professional Photography
2017 In Person Training with Erin Tole of Erin Tole Photography
2015 - Present Online and In-Person training with Ana Brandt of Belly Baby Love
2018 - Present Online Training with Kelly Brown via Kelly Brown's Newborn Posing
2014 - Present Online training in Fine Art Women's Portraiture with Sue Bryce via Sue Bryce Education
2019 In Person training with Claudia Aguilar of Captured by Claudia Photography
2019 Week long in person workshop with Bree Adams of Bree Adams Photography as part of Texas School of Professional Photography
2016 Newborn In Person Training with Bree Adams at Imaging USA (Professional Photographers of America)
2015 In person Basic Baby Workshop with Only Brand New Once Photography
2020 The Baby Summit ONLINE due to Covid19
2021 The Newborn Retreat - ONLINE Photography Conference
2021 Imaging USA - ONLINE due to Covid
I believe that prints are very important. Tangible. I love to watch as your prints come off of my printer and I love the way the paper feels in my hands. I am a Print Artist and each of my packages include prints. My goal is to provide you with a wonderful experience, capture beautiful images and produce heirloom portraits that your family will cherish for generations. I have years of training in the fine art of print making from my time attending classes in Austin's prestigious photography program at ACC in the Department of Professional Photography.
I love working in my professional studio in North Austin as well as outdoors, on location.
Interested in booking a session?





