Valerie Tabor Smith Costume Collection

An angel is a spiritual supernatural being found in many religions. Although the nature of angels and the tasks given to them vary from tradition to tradition, in Christianity, Judaism and Islam, they often act as messengers from God. Other roles in religious traditions include acting as warrior or guard; the concept of a "guardian angel" is popular in modern Western culture.

Angels are usually viewed as emanations of a supreme divine being, sent to do the tasks of that being. Traditions vary as to whether angels have free will or are merely extensions of the supreme being's will. While the appearance of angels also varies, many views of angels give them a human shape.

From Wi

The original fairies, or faeries, bestowed gifts upon newborn children, such as beauty, wealth and kindness. In the subsequent centuries they continued this original function, but expanded their activities into other types of meddling in human affairs.

Fairies can only be seen clearly by animals and seldom by humans, although if one is fortunate enough, one might catch a fleeting glimpse. There are a few exceptions however. The first is when fairies use their power (known as 'glamour') to enable a human to see them. Also, during a full moon on Midsummer Eve a mortal witness fairy dances or celebrations. And finally, by looking through a self-bored stone (a stone in which a hole has been made by tumbling in the waters of a brook; not found on a beach) one can see fairies distinctly.

The rulers of the race of fairies are Queen Titania and her consort Prince Oberon, their court being in the vicinity of Stratford-on-Avon. Other synonyms and euphemisms for fairies are: the Little People, the Green Men, the Good Folk and the Lordly Ones.

The name is probably a combination of the words fae "friend" and eire "green." So Faerie means "Green Friend."

From the Encyclopedia Mythica

According to the dictionary, a witch is "a woman thought to have evil magic powers."

Witches have been often portrayed in fairy tales wearing a black cloak and pointed hat, and flying on a broomstick.

Most human societies have believed in witchcraft, and indeed the modern Western societies are unusual in their refusal to do so. Traditionally, people have treated witchcraft in two very different ways. On the one hand they have resorted to specialists in it for their benefit: to be freed from suffering, to injure enemies, or to obtain what they desire. On the other, they have blamed it for their own misfortunes, and set out to identify and punish the witch responsible for using the power against them.

Most societies, also, have had a well-developed idea of what a witch should be like; a person living within a community but set apart from it by a reserved temperament and odd habits.

Many have believed in addition that witches cooperate with each other in secret organizations, and that they work with, or control, supernatural beings. They were commonly believed to operate mostly at night, and to have the power of flight. These concepts were as common in tribal Africa, Asia, and America as in pre-modern Europe.

From the Encarta Encyclopedia

Valerie must lead a private life. There is not very much biographical information about her on the web. However, I did find find the following information.

Valerie Tabor-Smith's photographs capture all of the innocence and enthusiasm of childhood. Each is inspired by her abiding love for children and her powerful vision for the future.

"If, starting today, every child were raised with love, kindness, and compassion, we could transform our world in a single generation", says Valerie.

For the past 15 years, Valerie has given this vision life through her award-winning photography. Celebrated for her colorful, fanciful depictions of fairy and angel babies, Valerie also has an extensive portfolio of black-and-white and hand-tinted photographs of children.

"I strive to create images that capture the special qualities of children: innocence, trust, wonder, enthusiasm, and honesty", she says.

Valerie is also a highly regarded wedding photographer. Valerie, her husband, and son reside in Southern California.

You can visit her photography website at Valerie Tabor Smith.com