Cathy Valadaud, journalist photographer

Always on the field and off towards the unknown!

 

You are curious too, would you like to know more about me ? Here is my personal story…

I grew up near Paris but we used to spend family holidays in the mountains, hiking in summer and skiing in winter. I got the travel bug there and the need to discover new places.

After a degree in english-american civilization and litterature, I left Paris for the french Alps and worked as a ski patroller/avalanche dog handler in several major ski areas of the Alps (Tignes-Val d’Isère, Courchevel, Verbier-4vallées). But also in north America (Jackson hole, Wyoming), south America (Las Leñas-Argentina) and in Australia (Mt Buller-Victoria).

After 15 years filled to the brim with adventures, in meeting all sorts of people and visiting new territories, it was time to move on. I went back to my first passion, writing.  Editor in chief for 8 years at "Aux Sources du Verdon", a magazine based in the Mercantour region (The Verdon valley, where I also established my "base camp"). I handled various subjects such as the local economy, tourism, feature articles, portraits, etc. The magazine was illustrated with my photos, a discipline that I have been practicing with my father since I was a teenager.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, I work as a photographer and as a journalist.

Illustrated report

My favourite themes are about finding new horizons through articles showing places off the main beaten track (text and photo) especially in Italy, a country that I love.

Illustration

I can also illustrate your documents and web sites with a special focus on graphics and colors.

Do you need images for your tourism web site, for your visitor center or for a cultural or sporting event ? My photography can be adapted to your requirements. An agile observer, I can work in the field in any season and any country.

Portrait

I love meeting ordinary people, listening to what they have to say. After an informal and sensitive conversation I can portray them in text and photo. People's lives are often surprising.

Feature articles

I also create feature articles reporting positive actions in ecotourism, renewable energies and alternative building construction.

And of course, I can leave for a story tomorrow !