VALERIE J. BOWER (b. 1986) is a photographer raised in Wilmington (CA) and based in Long Beach (CA). She uses childhood nostalgia, the visuals and experiences of growing up in the working-class Harbor Area as influences in her work. Her dream-like, monochrome street photography show a softer, feminine point of view on typically masculine themes and subjects. Focusing primarily on POC, she documents various street cultures and everyday life in Los Angeles. She has also explored the influences of West Coast culture in other parts of the U.S. and Japan. Her work also includes a collection of self-published books, zines, and other printed items such as letter writing and postcard sets. In 2017, Valerie's photography book "Homegirls" was archived into the Thomas J. Watson Library at the Met Museum in New York. Valerie is currently teaching photography to incarcerated youth at Orange County Juvenile Hall.

valeriejbower@yahoo.com 

@valeriejocelyn (Instagram)