Folio Love

Posted in Photography

My last month has been filled with traveling. I think I’m FINALLY fully rested after almost three weeks on the road. It gets exhausting after a while, but I love to travel so I don’t mind! And traveling in the off season? It’s the best. The summer crowds have gone home, and you can actually be outside without breaking a major sweat.

The traveling started last month when John and I drove down to Knoxville to attend Folio Love. It was a styled portfolio building event. I’d heard about it back before their site even went live, and I was psyched that it was within driving distance. Plus, it sounded totally low-pressure and it was within my workshop budget! I’m so glad I signed up because I had such a good time and got some lovely photos.

We got divided into small groups of four, and there were different stations and/or models we moved around to every hour or so. Really, we went wherever our little group decided to go around the church grounds. Since we were in small groups, we got to work one-on-one with our subjects and craft the types of images we were looking for. Not to mention, we got to work with gorgeous people!

Knoxville is actually lovely (can you tell I was pleasantly surprised?! I had no idea what to expect), and has a sweet downtown with all sorts of local restaurants and shops. We had the best meal at Cafe 4 at Market Square. No, seriously. In fact, I’m still dreaming about the lobster mac and cheese! Yum. I want to go back and explore the Knoxville area more. And I MIGHT just sneak in some lobster mac and cheese while I’m there.

.

View my portfolio | Find me on Facebook | Follow me on Twitter

2 comments

add a comment
link to this post

Phyllis - These photos are great, Allison! You have captured the joy and spirit of the occasion beautifully!!!

Jonathan - These photos are beautiful! Excited to have you helping me with my wedding this weekend!

New Lens

Posted in business side

I’ve been focused on becoming invested in photography. If you know me, then you know I am methodical — painfully so at times! One thing that has made sense to me is to slowly build my lens collection as I can. As far as equipment, lenses are a smart investment for photographers to make as they can. I had already rented a lens last year and, frankly, the rental was hundreds of dollars in the end. Enter a drawn out, long-term strategy session with John and an order from the ever-speedy and reliable B&H, and this ended up at my door a few days later:

 

It’s the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G. Yikes, was it an investment. But honestly? If I rented it about four more times it would have cost the same amount in total as purchasing it did. It produces super sharp images with gorgeous and smooth bokeh. (Canon users: from what I’ve heard the Nikon version is nothing like the sometimes-unreliable Canon version, but I can’t speak from experience). I don’t think you have to decide to be a prime shooter or a zoom shooter. I find that I prefer BOTH primes and zooms at different times.

From what I can tell, this lens has gotten a bad rap from photographers who purchased it early on in their careers before knowing if it was what they wanted. I’ve heard it called a “lazy” lens because it could allow you to stand in one place and just zoom in and out. Really though? If you’re standing in one place because your lens zooms, I’d recommend revisiting composition and the benefits of shooting subjects at different angles. The fact that this lens zooms doesn’t makes me more likely to stand on one place and zoom instead of move around — the zoom feature just becomes another option to consider when creating an image.

Just FYI, it requires some upper body strength — after a few hours of holding it up, I can feel it in my shoulders. That said, the photos it produces are outstanding and definitely worth any achy muscles!

.

View my portfolio | Find me on Facebook | Follow me on Twitter

1 comment

add a comment
link to this post

Erin - I really love this lens. It gets heavy, but I guess there are pros and cons with everything! I switch to my 50mm when I need a break :)

Jen+Will ::: Baltimore MD Maternity Photography

Posted in Photography

I went to high school with Jen and Will, way back — so far back that the Y2K bug was a shiny new joke. Fast forward a decade or so, and they are married and expecting a little boy in October! They are two of the nicest, funniest and most genuine people out there. If there is one thing I’m sure of, it’s that their little boy is already super lucky to have them as parents.

Will and Jen, I was so happy to be able to photograph this happy time for you! I can’t wait to meet Jack. Love to you both, Allison

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

View my portfolio | Find me on Facebook | Follow me on Twitter

1 comment

add a comment
link to this post

Jonathan - Beautiful! Will and Jen, I’m so happy for the two of you :)

30 before 30

Posted in Personal

Two weeks ago I turned 29 years old. The number isn’t all that big of a deal to me (that said, WOW it sure crept up fast) but it has gotten me feeling a bit reflective nonetheless. In the spirit of leaving a decade full of new experiences and growing pains behind and a desire to focus on what is next, I drafted a list of 29 things I want to accomplish in my last year as a 20-something.

1. Second-shoot a wedding.

2. Create and put together marketing material and new client info.

3. Blog 2-3 times per week. (thinking this might be a challenge considering I just took almost 3 months off, but I’ll give it my best!)

4. Decide on and purchase a new camera bag.

5. Open an online store to sell non-people photographs.

6. Connect with other wedding/lifestyle photographers, including local-ish photogs.

7. Find new living room furniture.

8. Decorate my walls exclusively with photos I’ve taken.

9. Attend a photography workshop.

10. Get a new hairdo.

11. Go on a road trip.

12. Volunteer my time.

13. Discover a new musician/band that I can’t get enough of.

14. Get (and keep alive) a house plant.

15. See a musical.

16. Spend a weekend internet/media free.

17. Get a fancy schmancy blender that can turn hard veggies into liquid.

18. Use blender mentioned above and have a green smoothie every morning for breakfast for two weeks.

19. Walk 10,000 steps each day for one month.

20. Visit California.

21. Go back to Asheville.

22. Visit the beach.

23. See all the 2010 Oscar-nominated movies. 6/10

24. Get new glasses.

25. Paint my tall bedroom dresser.

26. Accessorize my bedroom.

27. Visit two new-to-me neighborhoods in or around D.C.

28. Visit a farm and go apple picking.

29. Get my website to where I want it for the next couple of years.

30. Live my life as honestly, bravely, and passionately as possible. (immeasurable maybe, but a great reminder for myself)

.

View my portfolio | Find me on Facebook | Follow me on Twitter

1 comment

add a comment
link to this post

jen - hey babe – great list! i might be able to help with 28. and might i suggest a pothos plant? those things are difficult to kill. trust me :)

Fall in my hometown

Posted in Personal

A few weeks ago I had a quick visit to my hometown in Maryland. It was such a beautiful, warm weekend. I went hiking with the family and then wandered around downtown with my camera. Even in a small place there are changes over time and from season to season. Nothing stands still. And even if things seem the same? I usually appreciate the familiarity.

Sometimes all it takes is a hug from my mom to make my week a little sweeter. Sometimes nothing could be better than pancakes at home on a Saturday morning. Sometimes I miss the mountains more than anything. Sometimes a visit home is just what I need.

The mums were everywhere, and in just about every shade.

Downtown. See that 82° on the thermometer display? Yeah, that won’t be happening again for a while.

.

View my portfolio | Find me on Facebook | Follow me on Twitter

5 comments

add a comment
link to this post

Phyllis Okulicz - I’ll say it again- your photos should be on a calendar or in an art gallery. They are beautiful!!!

Marie - These pictures are amazing, Allison! Only you could actually make Cumberland look pretty :)

Karen - The one of downtown is great — I’m looking forward to being back over Thanksgiving :)

Jonathan - Hey these are really nice! You should try selling these as prints, postcards, or stock :)

jen - love the one of downtown! i miss home – and seasoned lettuce!