Saint Petersburg Photographer :: Beards of Tampa Bay :: Brian Valyko

Name: Brian

Werner Valyko

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Lived for 6 years in Durham, NC, and now reside in Tampa, FL.

Occupation :

Progressive Insurance

How long have you been growing your beard?

I stopped shaving 6 months ago, so September 2013.

What started you on this path?

My daughters and wife love the beard. I mean LOVE it. My daughters will butter me up by complimenting the awesomeness of my beard before asking for something. My wife tells me she thinks I look hot. I think it satisfies some rugged fantasy of hers. Haha

End goal for your beard.

I heard someone once say: You don’t grow your beard, your beard grows you. I believe that my beard has chosen me and I will not let it down.

What is the funniest experience or comment that has happened to you because of your beard.

I was at Disney and was separated from my family. As I was walking back to them, I passed this family of four, and made eye contact with the mom, who immediately grabbed her kids and crossed to the other side of the path, to avoid me. I guess I looked threatening enough that mothers need to keep their children away from me. Haha. It was pretty funny.