Today’s Entrepreneur of the Day is Valerie Terranova! Valerie founded Valerie Terranova Photography.
In the heart of New York City’s creative scene, Valerie Terranova is carving out a space where performance and photography collide in the most powerful way. As both a seasoned actor and a sought-after entertainment photographer, she brings a rare dual perspective to every frame she captures, one shaped by years spent on stage, on set, and in the vulnerable, high-stakes process of creating art.
Valerie Terranova Photography specializes in theater, music, and all forms of live entertainment. From the electric energy of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour to the glamour of the MTV Video Music Awards to the historic Tony Awards run of Stereophonic, Valerie’s images don’t just document—they evoke. Her photographs offer more than just a glimpse into show business. They tell stories from the inside out, infused with the lived experience of someone who truly understands what it means to perform.
(Valerie Terranova Photography)
Valerie’s path into photography began with a moment of artistic curiosity. After producing and starring in a short film, she bought her first camera with a simple goal: to learn how to visually capture stories. That camera never left her side. She carried it with her through every season and situation: snowy walks down Manhattan avenues, mountain hikes in the Pacific Northwest, family gatherings, rehearsal spaces, and even backstage dressing rooms where she herself was preparing to perform. In those quiet, experimental moments, often with friends volunteering as test subjects, Valerie discovered a voice behind the camera that resonated as strongly as the one she used on stage.
(Valerie Terranova Photography)
It wasn’t long before others started to notice. Her raw, emotionally intelligent work began to attract clients quickly. Within a few short months, she was not only published but working as a contributor for Getty Entertainment, capturing some of her favorite artists and performers, Taylor Swift included, a personal milestone that still ranks among her favorite professional moments.
(Valerie Terranova Photography)
What sets Valerie apart is her ability to make her subjects feel truly seen. Whether she’s shooting portraits, a live concert, or high-profile events, Valerie approaches every session with deep empathy and an obsessive curiosity that drives her to make each shoot better than the last. Her creative process isn’t just about getting the perfect shot, it’s about creating a space where authenticity can thrive. Her belief is simple: every person holds a singular, unique beauty that shines brightest when they feel safe to be their truest selves.
Clients often say Valerie “passes the vibe check.” But beyond the vibes, what they’re really responding to is her innate ability to build trust, her attention to detail, and her respect for the artistic process. Her work has included everything, from the fabulous key art for Joy: A New True Musical to celebrity portraits, theater campaigns, and red carpet coverage. Each project is approached with the same care, emotional intelligence, and artistic integrity.
(Valerie Terranova Photography)
Her background as an actor adds an even deeper dimension to her work. Valerie earned her BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, studying at Stella Adler Studio and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where she immersed herself in Shakespeare and classical theatre. After booking a six-month national tour the week she graduated, she has since spent her career building a repertoire that includes over 16 new play productions, along with film and voiceover work.
Growing up on Long Island as the daughter of a Chilean-American fitness instructor and an Italian-Irish postal worker, Valerie developed a fierce sense of identity shaped by the feeling of being an outsider. A self-described brainy, introspective, and athletic kid in a conformist town, she was taught early to take pride in her differences. That resilience and perspective continue to fuel her creative work across every medium.
(Valerie Terranova Photography)
Today, Valerie continues to split her time between acting and photography, constantly exploring the intersection between the two. She’s obsessed with learning, endlessly curious, and relentlessly committed to helping others tell their stories—visually, emotionally, and honestly.
When asked what advice she had for women who want to start their own business, Valerie said, “Everyone has unique value to offer this world. The key is to find what you have to give—and then offer it to the people who will benefit from it most. Your art or entrepreneurship isn’t a selfish act; it’s a gift you have to give others. But for others to believe in it, you have to believe in it first. Say yes to yourself and your ideas—that’s what leads you to the people who say yes to you.
So many people say no to themselves before anyone else gets the chance to. Or they take rejection as the end of the road, when in fact it’s just one step in the process of learning how to get where you’re meant to go.”
(Valerie Terranova Photography)
If you’re looking for a photographer who brings not just technical excellence but emotional depth, personal connection, and a lived understanding of the arts, Valerie Terranova is the collaborator you’ve been searching for. Based in New York and available for travel, she offers a photographic experience that honors the artistry, vulnerability, and beauty of every subject.
Her work can be seen across major entertainment platforms, promotional campaigns, and performance archives. And while the accolades continue to grow, Valerie remains grounded in the same mission that inspired her to pick up a camera in the first place: to help people feel seen and to let the world feel their stories.
(Valerie Terranova Photography)
Whether you’re a performer needing authentic headshots, a production seeking behind-the-scenes coverage, or an artist ready to bring your vision to life, Valerie Terranova Photography is ready to meet you where you are, and capture who you truly are. And we can vouch, she is a JOY to work with!
(Valerie Terranova Photography)
