WE ARE
VARITAY’S
CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM
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.
JEAN DUNK
CHIEF OF OPERATIONS AT VARITAY
Since joining Varitay Studios in 2012, Jean has become the heart of our team, expertly managing the studio and keeping Camela organized. With a bachelor’s degree in Photography and Art History from UW-Milwaukee, Jean originally focused on product and wedding photography before discovering her passion for portraiture alongside Camela.
“I love working at Varitay Studios. I tell everyone it’s the perfect job for me,” Jean shares. “Working with Camela has been transformative—I try to absorb everything she shares during a session. Her talent for posing and light is inspiring! My favorite moments are during ordering appointments when clients see how we’ve captured the true essence of their loved ones. That’s the Varitay! It’s a powerful experience.”
Camela calls Jean “the yin to my yang,” noting, “While I’m out on shoots, Jean keeps the studio fires roaring with the structure and consistency that are essential to our success.”
Jean’s dedication and passion for capturing people’s essence make her an invaluable part of our team and our studio’s growth.
HEIDI FANNIN
DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING
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.
“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
GALLERY OF FUN
THROUGH THE YEARS
MORE ABOUT VARITAY?
BY CAM
When introduced to the concept of Cinema Verite (origins French, literally ‘truth’) by a friend, it gave me shivers. And I could totally relate. Generally defined, Varitay is the moment whenthe camera disappears, the guard comes down, the nervousness fades and the true and authentic face of the subject is revealed.
That moment of “Varitay” happens at a point in most every session I have ever shot. It is about getting into a zone, really seeing the subject, and connecting until what we are doing begins to feel effortless. Then we create and play it out until it is complete. Sessions take on a life and personality all on their own. It doesn’t feel like work, it just happens…that is what we call Varitay.
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.