Meet Varitay Studios: Creative Portrait & Branding Photography

CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM

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DJ spins vinyl at outdoor party as woman with pink hair watches, Varitay Studios, Racine WI
Smiling woman with dark hair and bangs in pink blouse, seated portrait by Varitay Studios in Racine, WI
Laughing bald man in blue shirt and red tie, professional portrait by Varitay Studios in Racine, WI
Woman capturing photos on wet reflective shoreline at night, artistic motion blur by Varitay Studios Racine WI
Playful studio portrait of woman shrugging in camo jacket, Varitay Studios photography, Racine WI
Two women celebrate with champagne and camera at Varitay Studios photography session in Racine, WI
Smiling woman with braided hair in yellow top, portrait photography by Varitay Studios in Racine, WI
Woman in yellow dress photographing Lake Michigan beach grass in Racine, WI by Varitay Studios
  • 9
  • About

CAMELA LANGENDORF

FOUNDER AND OWNER OF VARITAY STUDIOS

Founded by Camela Langendorf, Varitay Studios is a photography and video studio that reflects Camela’s unique journey and dedication. Starting her career in physical therapy, Camela spent 12 years in healthcare before following her passion for portrait photography and studio ownership. Now, as a seasoned business owner, she thrives on the challenges and rewards of small business management.

For over 18 years, Varitay Studios has grown alongside Camela’s evolving roles as a creative, a businesswoman, a mother, partner and friend. Her work began with simple portraits but has developed into two core focuses. The first is contemporary portraiture, which goes beyond capturing beautiful images, creating an experience that can transform one’s self-perception through the courage of being truly seen. The second focus is working with fellow small business owners. Through creative photography and video, Camela finds joy in helping businesses reveal their passion, personality, and culture to their audiences, all while honoring the unique history and story behind their work.

Varitay Studios is Camela’s life’s work, committed to capturing both personal transformation and the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Who is Heidi Fannin and what is her role at Varitay Studios?

Heidi Fannin is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Varitay Studios. She has been an integral part of the journey since day one, encouraging the founder to turn a passion for photography into a career back in 2006. Earlier this year, she officially joined Varitay as Director of Sales and Marketing, bringing her fearless, persistent, and always-on-the-move approach. Heidi adds something irreplaceable to every project with her heart, soul, and grit, making the team better.

Heidi has been part of my journey since day one, encouraging me to turn a passion for photography into a career back in 2006. “Cam, you’re really good at this photography thing…you know…all you need to start a business is a card!” she told me. We laugh about it now, and I’ve both blessed and cursed her name for it ever since! Earlier this year, I made it official by bringing my biggest supporter and friend on board as Varitay’s Director of Sales and Marketing.

Heidi’s fearless, persistent, and always-on-the-move approach has sparked a new energy at Varitay. She’s famous for saying, “It’s not about perfect—just get it out there!” With her heart, soul, and grit, she adds something irreplaceable to every project and makes us all better. I joke that I ask her to marry me at least once a week!

Welcome to the team, Fannin—you’re exactly what Varitay needed.

Portrait of Heidi Fannin, Director of Sales & Marketing at Varitay Studios, Racine, WI professional headshot

“Being a small business owner is a fast track to discovering what you’re truly made of. Small business owners belong to a unique club—it all begins with a passionate idea, requires a courage that often wavers, and demands a willingness to embrace both success and failure, as one simply doesn’t exist without the other. It takes heaps of Kleenex, a good amount of wine, and above all, the grit to keep going. The magic lies in the perseverance and raw determination to keep showing up, day after day.”
— Cam Langendorf

Cartoon photographer holding Nikon camera for Varitay Studios photography in Racine, WI

GALLERY OF FUN

THROUGH THE YEARS

Photographer in VEIT hard hat at demolition site, Racine WI, capturing construction photography
Two women embracing and smiling in studio portrait by Varitay Studios, Racine WI photography
Makeup artist styling client indoors at Varitay Studios photography session in Racine, WI
Black and white Racine photography studio scene with two women using professional lights
Sophisticated portrait of a man in a dark blue suit and tie, Racine, WI professional photography
Seven smiling Varitay Studios team members in Racine, WI studio, black-and-white medium shot
Woman with bright blue eyes, pink lipstick, black sweater, shushing gesture, Racine WI portrait
Woman adjusting man's beard in natural-light Racine, WI indoor photography session
Smiling woman in Racine t-shirt with red heart, bracelets, and teal earrings on black background
Two women photographers on a windowsill in Racine, WI, talking with cameras in soft light
Black-and-white portrait of a thoughtful woman in a leather chair at Varitay Studios, Racine
Three colleagues laughing together indoors at Varitay Studios, Racine, WI, in black-and-white
Candid outdoor family photography in Racine, WI with photographer using reflector for soft light
Two young women playfully posing backstage in Racine, WI, captured by Varitay Studios
Two women laughing together in a bright Racine, WI studio, captured in black and white
Woman in yellow sundress launching a drone while boy controls it at Racine, WI beach
Photographer capturing a child in natural light at Varitay Studios, Racine, WI black & white
Silhouetted woman photographing Racine, WI cityscape through large multi-paned window
Two people silhouetted in a rustic Racine, WI studio conversing by a large urban window
Seven joyful women laughing against a brick wall in Racine, WI, black-and-white photography.
Medium portrait of a smiling woman with blue eyes at Varitay Studios, Racine, WI
Lying person on sunlit loft floor with two small poodle dogs at Varitay Studios, Racine
Silhouette of photographer on wooden box in Racine studio, capturing cityscape through large windows
Woman in black sweater covering eyes with hands, bright pink lips, Racine WI portrait
Five joyful middle-aged women laughing together in Racine studio photography by Varitay Studios
Portrait of a smiling woman in a black blazer with Racine-themed tee, Racine, WI

MORE ABOUT VARITAY?

What is the meaning of 'Varitay' and its logo, explained by Camela Langendorf?

Varitay is defined as the moment when the camera disappears, the guard comes down, the nervousness fades, and the true and authentic face of the subject is revealed. This concept, inspired by Cinema Verite, happens in most sessions, creating an effortless connection between the photographer and subject. The graceful, scripted circle within our logo represents the hermeneutic journey—an ongoing cycle of action, reflection, transformation, and renewal, embodying a meaningful existence that weaves through life, business, relationships, and purpose. Created by Janette Hill, it reminds us to embrace the journey rather than reaching a final destination.
Woman photographer with camera and coffee in Racine studio at Varitay Studios
Varitay Studios logo in modern design, representing professional photography in Racine, WI

The graceful, scripted circle within our logo represents the hermeneutic journey—an ongoing cycle of action, reflection, transformation, and renewal. For me, it embodies a meaningful existence that weaves through life, business, relationships, and purpose. Life has no instruction manual; instead, it invites us to engage, reflect, grow, and start fresh. Created by the talented illustrator Janette Hill, this circle is simple yet profound, reminding us that life is about embracing the journey rather than reaching a final destination. It encourages us to keep moving forward on this ever-evolving path.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 Why do I need a Professional Photographer?

In a world where everyone has a camera at the ready, it may make you question the value of a professional photographer. However, when it comes to presenting yourself, your business, or your company and its valuable employees, a professional photographer ensures a level of quality that tells your clients you’re serious about what you do!

At Varitay, we believe stepping in front of the camera is more than just getting great photos. It’s about taking the time to invest in yourself, your business, or your family. It’s an act of love to yourself and a way to honor who you are and what you’ve created.

2 What services does Varitay Studios offer?

At Varitay Studios, we provide a comprehensive range of photography and video services tailored to meet both business and personal needs. Our services include professional headshots, corporate photography, and branding sessions designed to elevate your image, as well as contemporary portraiture, senior photos, and lifestyle sessions that capture all of life’s milestones

In addition to our photography, our video team excels at transforming your business message into a captivating and authentic story. We make sure that your message resonates with your audience in an impactful way. Whether it’s social media shorts, mini-documentaries, corporate messaging, or commercials, we’re dedicated to creating videos that stand out and make a lasting impression.

3 What sets Varitay Studios apart from other photographers or studios?

There are many talented photographers out there, but at Varitay Studios, we bring something uniquely personal to our work. Here’s what sets us apart:

Everyone Deserves a Beautiful Portrait: We believe in the transformative power of a great image. I want to share a story with you: One of our creative partners, despite being in the industry, never had a professional headshot. Like the cobbler’s kids with no shoes, he didn’t prioritize it for himself and didn’t feel worthy of having one. One day, while testing my lights, I asked him to sit in as a light subject. I took a headshot of him, and he later posted it to his profile.

The impact was profound. He came back to the studio with surprising emotion, saying, “I never understood it, I never valued it, but that photo you took of me makes me see myself in a whole new way. It’s like I believe in myself and what I can do creatively. When I see that image in the morning, it makes me want to live up to what I see.”

This was just from a light test, but it highlights the transformative power of a great headshot. It’s not just about the photo; it’s about how it makes you feel and see yourself.

Fostering Connection: Our work is about more than just taking pictures. It’s about bridging the gap between the creative and corporate worlds, helping businesses and individuals connect more deeply with their audience. We’re passionate about integrating the artistic and intuitive aspects of our craft with the practical needs of our clients. Community Focus: We want to make our community shine. Our goal is to help local businesses and individuals look as amazing on the outside as they are on the inside. Promoting yourself can be tough, whether you’re busy, shy, or simply overwhelmed. But remember, it’s not just about you—it’s about showcasing the incredible value you bring to the world. We don’t just take pictures – we create, we connect & we celebrate.

4 Why is Professional Photography so expensive?

At Varitay Studios, our pricing reflects over 30 years of experience and talent. Photography isn’t just about snapping pictures—it involves hours of prep work, image culling, processing, and editing. For every hour of shooting, we spend 2-3 hours behind the scenes making sure each photo looks amazing. Just because we make it look easy doesn’t mean it is! All this effort ensures you get top-quality results that are worth every penny.

5 Do you shoot on location or in studio?

Varitay Studios offers both on-location and in-studio shoots across Southeastern Wisconsin, Racine, Kenosha, Northern Illinois, and the Chicago area.

You can choose our historic downtown Racine studio, which spans over 2000 square feet and captures the vibe of a chic cocktail lounge. It’s fully equipped with everything you need to feel confident and creative, including a fantastic stereo sound system that helps us set the mood during your session. Get your favorite playlist ready!

Alternatively, we can bring the studio to you. With portable lighting and camera setups, we’re ready to capture stunning images at your office, place of business, or home, depending on what suits your project best. We’ll help you decide which option works best for your needs.

6 Do I need to prepare anything before my Portrait Session?

Remember we are experts, and you do not have to stress about the session (even though you still will!). At minimum, come as you are, and we’ll make it work. For those who want to be a bit more prepared, here’s what we suggest:

Clothing: Bring a variety of outfits to the shoot. Include something classic and simple, something fun that shows off your style, as well as options that are casual and more formal. At the beginning of the session, we’ll go through your wardrobe together and plan the shoot around your outfits, backdrops, and locations.

Sleep and Water: Aim for a good night’s sleep before your session and come well-hydrated. Avoid any wild nights out the evening before!

Makeup and Hair: We love capturing you as your natural self, but if you’d like to enhance your look, we offer hair and makeup services for an additional cost. For women, we recommend avoiding heavy highlighting makeup, as it can reflect under studio lights and may not photograph well. For men, a fresh shave and grooming are always appreciated.

Parking and Entrance: There is metered parking on Main Street—don’t forget to plug the meter or use our parking app Passport. Our front door is locked, so when you arrive, please text us: Cam at 262-498-4075 or Jean at 262-664-3770, and we will come down to let you in!

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