Hello love and carrot lovers! I got this lovely bunch of rainbow carrots at the farmers' market this morning - two are intertwined and the tops are in the shape of a heart, so, you know, I had to have a little mini session with them against this gorgeous rustic chic wall! I'm thinking rainbow carrots (and broccolini) may really catch on as alternative bridal bouquets ;) Have a lovely weekend! ∞ A ]]>
Hello there! I've been very busy - obviously not blogging! - behind the scenes lately! I've been working on bringing my website up-to-date to reflect my current photographic interests, style and ability, and to highlight more of my couple and wedding work. I've made a lot of headway, but there is still a lot to be done, so please bear with me. In the meantime, hop on over to my Instagram and give me some double-tap love :) Have a beautiful weekend! xox
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Since I wrote last week's post, I've been thinking about how to illustrate some of the color palettes I generated for it. I love the look of watercolor, so I thought if I could sketch some clothes in black and white, I could use swashes of watercolor to color them in. If I were an accomplished artist, this might have worked very well! Unfortunately, I'm not (maybe someday!). On to Plan B - I found some stock clothing outlines, an app that makes fashion sketches from photos and an app that makes stencils from photos, among other options, but none of these seemed like the right choice for this project. Then, I found this great gig on Fiverr (which I've been wanting to try), and the talented fuchsia_mea created this fashion forward family for me to add my colors to! I love it, and highly recommend her and her work :) So, now, on to the examples.
First up, the palette from the opening photo of the last post.
And next, the more neutral palette that might work particularly well in a city or at the beach.
And finally, the other palette that may be especially harmonious with a forest or wooded area.
I really enjoyed doing this project, and think this information could be really helpful to families in coordinating their portrait outfits. Please leave questions, comments or suggestions below - I'd love to hear from you! Have a great week, and I'll see some of you soon!
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Hi, I hope you all had a nice short week! I did :) In preparing for family portrait mini sessions (message me for details about upcoming dates in the Bay Area and Santa Barbara!), I've been thinking about how best to help clients (and others) address that nagging question "What do we wear?!". Although the traditional matchy-matchy look works, and is pretty easy to execute, it doesn't suit all personalities and families.
In the past I've played around with different color picking apps, mostly in the context of fantasizing about interior decorating - today I had the idea of playing around with them in the context of picking color palettes for family portraits, and I want to share this idea with you! There are amazing color palettes in nature and also in art, so collect a few of your favorite snapshots of nature or art (on your smartphone or tablet) for use with a color picking app. I've played with a few different color picking apps - find one you like, or try the one I used today, ColorSnap. Follow the app's instructions to load photos into the app, pick colors from them, and save the results to your phone or tablet. Here are a few examples I created today.
I just love the colors that came from this first one (feel free to use any of mine if you don't want to create your own, too!)
This second one reminds me of the beach or waterfront
And this last one I can imagine would make a beautiful palette for a family portrait
Keep in mind that not every family member has to (or should!) wear every color in the palette, not every color in the palette you create has to be used, and neutrals (e.g., beiges, dark blues, browns, dark greens, etc.) may often be used less sparingly than colors. There are a few other things to consider when selecting outfits based on color palettes you've created (or appropriated) in this way. Often, the relative amounts of each color are important in creating pleasing palettes. So, for example, in the above artistic photo (which includes both nature and manmade objects), Poetry Plum occupies only about 1/8 or 12.5% of the photo, and may be used more sparingly in the palette (e.g., in a scarf, blouse, small girl's dress, etc.), while the Olympus White may be used in greater quantities as it occupies more of the photo and is also a neutral (though the Poetry Plum is actually a pretty neutral color, too). Play around with the quantities to see what looks right. Another element to consider is the backdrop for your family photo (e.g., woods, beach, city, etc.), so, for example, the latter two palettes may look better in photos taken at the beach, while the former may work better with photos taken in wooded areas or fields. Lastly, consider where the photos are likely to be hung in your home, and make sure you like your chosen palette with the colors you already have in those rooms.
Bonus for those who have booked mini sessions with me: feel free to text me photos (up to three) and I will create color palettes and text them back to you so you don't have to do it yourself! If you're a little unclear about how to translate color palettes into outfits, Simplicity Photography has outstanding examples of a well-coordinated family here and here - do check them out! Also, if you like, lay out outfits for the entire family, snap photos and text them to me for feedback.
And, for those wondering about a palette for the opening photo of this post, here it is:
Happy color picking, and check back for more helpful information about preparing for portrait sessions!
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Hello! What happened to August?! Or the rest of the Summer, for that matter?! I am excited to finally share some more of my images from the sweet, rustic chic wedding I shot in Ojai earlier this Summer with the lovely and talented Teri Kramer of Teri Kramer Photography.
Before I do, though, I've been thinking recently that I may have communicated something I didn't intend with my iPhone wedding post, so I want to share some thoughts here for clarification. I did not mean to imply that an iPhone is a suitable substitute for professional equipment, or that anyone with an iPhone can shoot a wedding! Rather, I meant to show that an artist can create photographic art with professional equipment or otherwise. The equipment is only part of the equation - there are amazing photos taken with iPhones (see the iPhone Photography Awards) - and there are not-so-amazing photos taken with 5D Mark IIIs (many by me, of course, because even professionals and artists don't get it right every time - that's why we shoot so many frames!)! Also, I meant to convey that I believe making a photo is always better than not making a photo, and so to not let your equipment limit you - use what you have and capture those precious moments! Your future self, family and friends will appreciate it - mostly :)
All of that said, I highly urge couples to hire professional photographers to shoot their weddings! The photos will be among the few tangible reminders of their special days, and the risks far outweigh the benefits of having friends with "nice cameras" - or even professionals with iPhones (except in the background) - shoot their weddings ;)
Please enjoy these beautiful images from this amazing day in Ojai, and feel free to comment if you're so inclined!
The cowboy boots were such a fun detail!
Something about the way her hair, the plate in the sink and her tattoo relate here caught my eye.
Meanwhile, the men practiced their baller moves with the iron!
Shots 'n' tats!
"But I'm cold as the wind blows so hold me in your arms . . ." ~Ed Sheeran
Working out her dance moves . . . Could she be any cuter?
I just love this sunflower bouquet!
They were a fun group :)
This was a 'grab shot' between poses - the focus is in an odd place, and the framing isn't exactly how I would have done it if I'd had more time to compose it, but I just love it for some reason.
I think this moment right before a kiss between two people in love looks so intimate and sensual.
I was hoping to post some images from the rustic chic wedding I shot earlier this Summer today, but my (second!) cull resulted in 70-some images, so I have more work to do to narrow it down for a post - soon, I hope! In the meantime, I'll share that I am finding a new appreciation for nature photography and my 35mm lens lately! Here are a few images from a recent evening walk - enjoy, and happy Labor Day weekend!
Happy first anniversary to this awesome (and HOT) couple! Thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer - this is still one of my all-time favorite photos I've taken! And I still can't believe I shot my first 'official' wedding solo, on a boat, in Newport Beach - it was super fun . . . can we do it again?! xox, A
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Hi all, happy almost Summer Solstice! I read that yesterday was the most popular day of 2016 for weddings, and I was lucky enough to be invited to be a part of one of them by the talented Teri Karmer Photography! Here's a sneak peek at some of the creativity and magic that made up this special day for two lovely people and their families and friends.
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This intimate wedding at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse was such a joy to be a part of - I am so happy to finally be sharing some of the images from this beautiful union. I love working with people in love :) Also, it was great to meet and work with Teri Kramer of Teri Kramer Photography, and I'm so excited to be shooting with her again in a couple of weeks! I had trouble narrowing the images down for this post, so if you want to skip to the best of the best, scroll down to the ceremony and bride and groom portraits!
The groom even got Napoleon's blessing!
I think this photo of the groom with his grandmother is one of my favorites that I've ever taken!
It's official, it's on Facebook - ha ha ;)
Future wedding photographer right here - she was giving posing direction like a boss :)
In March, I had the opportunity to spend the better part of two days documenting a dear friend's family in San Louis Obispo. This was the real deal - no bribing, no posing, no directing, no lighting - just observing and recording everyday life. I am so deeply grateful to have been invited to bear witness to the most intimate details of this family's experience for these precious and transient few moments in time. The feeling I have when people trust me enough to show up with vulnerability and authenticity, with all of their beauty and scars and complexities, for both photo and therapy sessions, is hard for me to describe. I can only imagine how frightening, and healing, it may be to be seen and reflected back in this way.
My photographic identity has undergone many changes over the years. This work feels real, congruent and profoundly meaningful to me, and I hope to share this experience with many, many more families over the years. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed making them!
Hello all! I hope you've had a good week - mine has been busy (and good)! I want to share this one image from the wedding I was fortunate enough to second shoot with Teri Kramer Photography last Saturday. This couple was so clearly in love that the portraits almost took themselves ;) (Ha ha, we photographers know that is never true of good portraits, but it is so much fun when the chemistry between people is so readily apparent!) I hope to have a longer post on this wedding soon. In the meantime, if you know anyone planning an intimate wedding or elopement in Santa Barbara or the surrounding area, and who would like beautiful, film-inspired ceremony coverage and portraits, please put them in touch with me - I am hoping to make these smaller weddings somewhat of a specialty, and would be open to negotiating a discounted price on them for a limited time!
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Hello and happy Spring! I recently spent a week visiting family and friends in the San Francisco Bay Area. Among other things, I had a great time playing whiffle ball for the first time in years, and capturing some documentary images of my family. Here's one of my favorites of my brother and nephew in action :)
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I had the most amazing time trying pure family documentary photography - no posing, lighting, bribing, etc., just capturing a day in the life of a family - this past weekend! I'm still in the process of culling through the images - in the meantime, here is one of my favorites that I've come across so far - boys being boys!
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Taking someone's portrait is very different from seeing and interacting with someone in other contexts. It is an intimate act, and one I am always grateful to be asked or permitted to engage in with my clients, family and friends.
It is usually not socially acceptable to really look at another person with intention and presence (unless you're a baby or toddler!), and truly see him or her. Though the camera acts as somewhat of a buffer, making the experience less threatening to both subject and photographer, I always (no exceptions so far, and I've photographed a fair number of people now!) find beauty, both internal and external, in the person or people I am photographing because of this intimate shared experience of seeing and being seen. [Most times when someone criticizes some aspect of his or her appearance in my photos, I am shocked, because I just don't see it, or, if I do, it's inconsequential and doesn't seem to have the impact he or she thinks it does (really!)].
Though I'm not always able to do it, one of my aims is to show each person I photograph the beauty I see in him or her. I hope that my photos help people see themselves as beautiful and worthy, not because I've 'Photoshopped' the heck out of them, but because they see themselves from my perspective, through my lens. I do minimal retouching (or 'Photoshopping') because I have come to believe that unrealistic, idealized, overly-processed images can actually be harmful to people's self-esteem (and I don't just mean the individual who's been 'Photoshopped'). (Another reason is that I didn't become a photographer to sit in front of a computer liquifying people all day and night! But that's for another post . . . ) I didn't realize this when I first started taking portraits, and I am guilty of over-processing (badly, no less, because I was new to professional photography at the time!) photos of myself and others.
So, all of this has been leading up to my sharing my deep joy at receiving these comments from this client: "you made me look how I always wanted to look . . . it's like I've discovered my self-esteem for the first time . . . I see myself in a whole new light now". I can't tell you how happy it's made me to read and know that!
Even if you don't need portraits right now, you may want to consider having some done for the therapeutic benefits :) Have a great weekend!
Hi all! As promised, I'm going to start sharing some tips and tricks for taking better snapshots here on my blog!
On a daily basis, we don't have time to stage our photos. This means we get a lot of busy photos where the subject is lost (especially with phone photos where everything from foreground to background is often in focus). An easy remedy for this is to shoot from above. Climb (safely!) on a bed, chair or other piece of furniture, or just stand over your subject, and shoot straight down. If you can't see what you're getting because you have to hold the camera or phone up too high, take many shots. Very likely one will come out great - just like this iPhone shot of my nephew playing with his trucks and packing peanuts!
Don't you just love the striped socks and carpet?! Happy shooting!
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Here's a teaser from this recent lifestyle portrait surfer session at Goleta Beach - more coming soon! Can anyone believe the unseasonably warm weather we've been having?! It's really February?!
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Hello there! These three lovely people are my fun, outgoing and family-oriented in-laws (my brother is married to their sister). This photo was taken as a contender for their 2015 holiday card, and they chose an amazing spot to shoot - the San Francisco Art Institute. The views from this rooftop were absolutely stunning! It's kinda too bad the wall and railing were there, but also, well, a really good thing :)
They and their parents have a real estate firm in San Francisco, and they have been kind enough to give me my start in real estate photography. Recently, using photos I created for one of their clients in San Francisco as an example of my work, I was able to get a fun gig here in Santa Barbara. My client Jenn and her family's home has been a true labor of love, and I was honored that she chose me to document it in photos. Meeting Jenn and her mother on the shoot, and shooting the photos in Jenn's lovely home in Goleta was really a great experience – they were so personable and warm, and the home had a great, artistic and down-to-earth vibe.
I just learned today that Jenn's write-up and my photos were published on the popular website Apartment Therapy! We are both very excited about this feature. Below are a few photos from the shoot - please have a look at Apartment Therapy for more photos and the great piece Jenn wrote!
Hello and happy belated new year - I hope 2016 is treating you right so far! Somewhat last minute, I decided to offer Valentine's Day mini sessions this year. I wanted a very special and romantic setting for these shots, and I found it in spades at the Goleta Pier! I was there recently at magic hour - really an amazing place, isn't it? I can't think of anything I'd rather do for Valentine's Day than enjoy happy hour with a special someone at the Beachside Bar-Cafe before or after a fun, magic hour lifestyle photo session on the beach and pier, and then dinner at the Beachside or in town! Before I get to the rest of the photos, here's the announcement for my mini sessions - message me if you'd like to reserve one of these - I'm only doing a few! Also, please like and follow my Facebook page for contests and giveaways on this and other shoots!
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It's been such a long time since I've checked in on here. I took this photo on a recent excursion to Southern California (Santa Barbara and Newport Beach) to photograph my first official wedding! I had a blast, and look forward to sharing some of the wedding photos on here soon. Every time I return to Southern California, I am taken by the beauty and spend far more time than planned just wandering around looking and taking photos. This is one I especially like from this last trip.]]>
Earlier this year, I attended a fun, festive and intimate wedding and reception at the Presidio Chapel and Historical Museum in Santa Barbara. The couple, together with family and close friends, celebrated and reaffirmed two decades of love, devotion and companionship. While the event photographers captured outstanding images (see their blog post here), I put Chase Jarvis' wisdom ("the best camera is the one that's with you") to the test by shooting the day's events with an iPhone 6. A few short years ago, I would not have thought it possible to take photos like these with a phone camera (in fact, I didn't even have, nor think I needed, a smartphone until late 2012!). While the iPhone is still not (and probably never will be) my camera of choice (yes, even despite its stylish design, purse-friendly size and general portability), I really love these images and I had a great time taking on this challenge. Most importantly though, the couple will have these photos as reminders of some of the unique details and fleeting moments that made up their special day.
(For those who are interested, this collection was made with the native camera on an iPhone 6 and edited in Lightroom 3.)
Please check out my follow up to this post (and some lovely wedding images!) here.
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Every year in January, three generations (formerly two) gather for a birthday brunch at the Top of the Mark and then head down to Pier 39 to see the sea lions, ride the carousel and visit the fairy store. It is a lovely, lovely tradition, and I have been so fortunate to have been included on more than a few of these special occasions. I have so enjoyed telling parts of these stories in images, particularly over the past few years as I've become a more articulate 'storyteller'. Here are a few of my favorites from this year––I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
For those who are interested, this entire lifestyle session was shot with a Canon 5D Mark II and 50mm 1.8 lens, and edited in Lightroom 3.
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Hello and welcome to Alison Photography's blog! I've been wanting a place to share more of my favorite images and collections of images from sessions or events, so I've decided it's time to start a blog. Historically, I haven't been very good at maintaining journals, but, over the past year, my Instagram feed has become a visual journal of sorts, and I have managed to keep up with it quite well. I'm hoping to continue and expand my visual journaling process here.
These images are from a recent trip to the park with my parents and spirited nephew, whose boyhood is being well documented! For those who are interested, this entire session was shot in overcast conditions with a Canon 5D Mark II and 50mm 1.8 lens (mostly in Aperture Priority and mostly at f/2.8), and edited in Lightroom 5 with Greater Than Gatsby Lightroom presets.
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