There’s nothing more daunting than staring at a blank screen with the cursor incessantly blinking at you as though it were screaming, “Come on! Just write something. Anything!” I suppose I don’t HAVE to write anything here, but you clearly were curious about this “meet me” section so I feel like I need to capture your attention and tell you who I am without boring you right off my blog.

I read an article online that says photographers need to write more. We should explain our photos, our insight into why we took a certain photo, the details on the process or the moment an inspiration entered our mind and where that moment stemmed from. Perhaps it all stems from our childhood and the way we perceived things while growing up. Maybe our adult years have molded the way we view the world. Some of us have life changing moments that forever shape the rest of our lives. I know I did. For better or worse, I am who I am. I am a daughter. I am a wife. I am a mom (to two beautiful German Shepherds who melt my heart with every kiss and nudge). I am a designer. I am a photographer. I am me.

Things that make me tick? It’s the little things actually. I’m not much of a material things kind of girl. It’s the little moments in life I forever cherish that keep me going. It’s the time my husband told me I was the love of his life. It’s the times my mom would take care of me in the middle of the night when I was sick even though I didn’t want to bother her. It’s the time my dad had to make a trip to his dad’s funeral without me or my mom. I bawled my eyes out because he was leaving and he called me from the air to make sure I was okay. I will never forget that. It’s when my friend’s five year old daughter gave me a hug and said in the sweetest little voice, “Allison, I love you so much.” It’s when people say what a good friend you are when you least expect it. It’s the times when I come home from a long day of work to my dogs who act like I’ve been gone for years and they can’t wait to say hi. Looking back over this paragraph I’ve come to realize something. It’s the unexpected things in life that make me most happy. It’s the moment I capture something with my camera that stops me in my tracks and I forget to take another picture until I soak in what just happened before my eyes.

Things I love? I love stormy spring/summer days. I love music. I love coffee. I love Monsters. No, not real monsters…the kind you drink. Apparently, I love caffeine. I love the smell of puppies. I love when the late afternoon sun leaves streaks of light through your windows that spill onto the floor and the cool evening breeze that follows. I love when I hold my hand out when my husband and I are walking and he takes my hand in his…you know, like that scene in The Village…he totally does that. You can view it here. It starts at 1:27. Best scene in the whole movie. Hands down. I love making others happy. I love photography. These last two go hand in hand. The best part of my job is handing over the finished product and realizing that you had a hand in capturing a part of your clients’ life and knowing it means the world to them. By capturing your memories for you, you are allowing me to create my own memories as well and for that I’m grateful. I respect the trust you have in me to take care of your moment in time and will do all I can to meet your expectations.

I don’t suppose it’s possible to ever sum up who a person is in just a few words, but I hope you at least capture the essence of who I am and who I strive to be. I look forward to meeting you and capturing the essence of who you are.