Inspired, A Very Special Project | Allison Jacobs Photography

    Taking a moment to go through Allison of Allison Jacobs Photography was a breath of fresh air. Her clean and timeless work is just full of vibrancy and happiness. Be sure to grab a cup of something warm and take a moment to really be enthralled. I also have to say I love her fresh branding. Her work is just stunning.

    You can find Allison’s website HERE and her Facebook page HERE.

    Hi Allison!

    Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?
    I am a Starbucks drinking, camera carrying mom of one.  I am a wife living by the ocean and trying to make the most of each day.  I am a loyal friend and guinea pig owner (well the guinea pig really belongs to my son but I take care of him the most).

    What sparked your passion for Photography?
    I have loved photography for as long as I can remember.  My grandfather was a hobbyist photographer and I loved looking through his black & white images of my mother and her family when I was little.  I love the sentimental value of a photograph, that small moment of time, caught in just a second.

    Whats in your camera bag?
    Canon 5d, Canon 5d Mark ii, Canon 50 1.4, Canon 85 1.2, Canon 100 2.8, Lensbaby Spark, 580 exii

    What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?
    Canon Rebel XT + 50 mm 1.8

    Allison was kind enough to share one of her starting out images with us!

    If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?
    The 85mm 1.2L because I am just completely smitten with the colors and depth of focus that I get with that lens.

    What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?
    Give yourself grace.  Be patient.  Practice.  Don’t compare your growth, your skills, your path to others.  We all have varying amounts of time to spend on learning the craft and art of photography.  And it does take time.  So, be generous and kind with yourself as you find your way.

    What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one? 

    I remember drooling over the rich colors in the images from Andrea Tate of Crave Photography as well as the styling and use of light from Skye Hardwick when I first starting shooting digitally.

    What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

    food photography & macro

    If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?
    My parents.  I would love the chance to capture those moments and looks between my parents who had been married for 40 years when my father died.  When you are caught up in the everydayness of life you can so easily miss the importance in the meaning of a look or a gesture.  I can still visually see that relationship in my memories but it would be nice to see it in print.  You know, just in case there comes a time that I forget that love that they shared.

    Describe your style in 3 words.
    clean fresh fun

    Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?
    Just because I can’t think of one right this second doesn’t mean there aren’t tons to choose from!

    Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?
    Yes.  We all have our own challenges to overcome and I am no different.  On the surface, the easy answer is to say that I have had to overcome my lack of time to devote to photography although my husband might differ and say that I spend all my extra time on it.

    Favorite time of day to shoot is?
    I love the light in the early morning + those last few hours before sunset.

    If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?
    Learn how to shoot video.

    Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?
    No, my formal education was in social work and education.  I have taken online workshops, read books, and learned a ton from great photographers willing to share what they know.

    What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?
    I try to connect with them prior to lifting my camera & shooting.  I like to chat for a few minutes while we get set up and then start to shoot.  I have teaching experience so I often pull tricks from that time to help engage with children and keep them interested.

    What are your photography related goals for 2013?
    I am in the process of opening for business after being an obsessive hobbyist for years so my focus has been on getting that all set up.  It seems to be taking twice as long as I hoped!

    How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments? 

    I like to challenge myself to keep learning with photography.  I feel like you can always find a new technique or area to work on with photography and that is one part of it that I love.  There are no chances to get bored since there is always room to grow.

    Biggest Photography related insecurity?

    posing (although this can change at any given moment- ha!)

    Digital or Prints?

    both


    How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

    I am hoping to offer environmental portraits so families have a tangible reminder of the area where they raised their kids and lived even if it was just a short chapter in their lives.


    What do you think your next photography related investment will be? 

    Canon 5d Mark iii


    If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be? 

    a back up battery


    What would you say your biggest muse is? 

    my son

    Fun stuff:
     
    Favorite Color: blue
    Favorite Season:  Hands down it is summer.  I mean no other season even had a chance.
    Pet Peeve: Eh, I try to let things roll off my back.
    Favorite Pandora Station:  I know I have that on my phone but I don’t ever listen to it.  I guess I need to give it a try!
    Studio or On location: on location
    What did you want to be when you grew up?  a world traveler
    Pc or Mac:  PC
    Lightroom Or Photoshop: Photoshop
    Film or Digital: digital
    Props or No Props:  maybe somewhere in between?
    If you could travel anywhere it would be:  right now Europe is a the top of my list
    Glass Half Empty or Half Full: full, totally full
    Favorite photo ever taken:  one of my son in the backyard


    Raw or Jpeg: Raw
    Favorite Music to Edit to:  top 40 stuff
    Favorite Quote:  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.   Jeremiah 29:11-13
    Processing Style: clean bright colors
    Coffee or Tea: coffee
    If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be?  I am not sure, probably a musician of some sort.
    What kind of Camera bag do you rock? ONA

    27 Lovely Comments  •  Leave a Comment for Sarah

    27 Beautiful Souls Commented

    1. Kristen Joy Emack says:

      Your voice is just like your images…bright and fresh and full of color. I enjoyed this interview…it was really refreshing. ( and I just liked your page on FB so I can see more) 🙂

    2. Jessica says:

      Oh, Alli, I loved the images you chose, and I loved reading your interview! Wonderful post all around!

    3. Loved reading about you, Allison!!

    4. Catherine R. says:

      Loved getting to know you! Love your work–definitely is full of life and makes me smile!

    5. Kim says:

      Great interview! Allison, your work is gorgeous!

    6. Jeanne Stramer Fortney says:

      Oops, of course I meant the images you have captured of **YOUR son**.

    7. Jeanne Stramer Fortney says:

      So proud of you Allison, this was a beautiful article and I only wish I was closer so I could have you photograph my son. The images you have captured of him make me feel like I know him. What an amazing talent 🙂

    8. Jessica Reischel says:

      Allison. What a lovely read and… the images? beautiful!!!

    9. Sarah Vaughn says:

      I loved reading about you! Love your work and seeing you in the spotlight because you deserve it. <3

    10. Meredith says:

      Allison – your work is fantastic! Clean, fresh and fun are perfect to describe your work…and I would add in honest too! I am so happy that I do live by you and I can’t wait to work with you soon!!! We in LA are lucky to have you! 🙂

    11. Allison says:

      Wow, these comments just blow me away. Thank you friends. <3

    12. Allison is one of the most generous photographers I know. She is so open and shares so much. By doing so, she is making us all better photographers. Love her and her work!

    13. Courtney says:

      I adore Allison and her work! Her clean and fresh style is lovely! I wish I lived closer so I could hire her to take my family photos.

    14. Dawn Shiree says:

      Great interview! Love her style!!

    15. kelly garvey says:

      love this interview! i am crazy about the red telephone booth pics & anything with gavin in it…such a cutie 🙂

      congrats on being featured….loved learning more about you! xo

    16. Carla says:

      Love, love, love this blog post:) Allisons’s work is just plain gorgeous and I love the quote:)

    17. Christineb says:

      Love your work Allison! Wonderful getting to know you better thanks so much for sharing!!

    18. Awesome, I’m so excited you featured Allison so we could get to know her a little better. I’ve admired her work for ages. “Clean, fresh, fun” couldn’t be a more perfect descriptive of her style. Love it!

    19. I had the incredible pleasure of shooting with Allison last summer. We did an outside food shoot and the shooting conditions were somewhat difficult but when I reviewed my shots I was pleased. Not bad I thought. Then I saw Allison’s shots. Amazing! She took a simple grill and gave it life making a nice location look brilliant and dreamy.
      A wonderful post you have here, thanks for letting us all get to know Allison!

    20. Kelly says:

      I loved reading this interview! I learned so much about you, that I didn’t know. I wish I could see photos you could take of mom & dad, like you talked about. You are so special, talented & beautiful!

    21. Allison says:

      Oh Jen, thank you so much!

    22. Amber says:

      What beautiful work! I love love the last image. Thanks for Sharing with us!

    23. Jenn Jones says:

      Allison, you are so talented! Loved reading your interview and getting to know more about you. Very inspiring work!

    24. Courtney says:

      I just adore Allison and her photography! I love her fresh look and the way she is able to capture the everyday. I wish I lived closer to her so I could hire her to take my family’s photos! Beautiful!

    25. Allison says:

      Thank you Laurie!!! <3

    26. What a great interview from such a talented photographer! Love your work Allison. And nice getting to know you a little more 😉

    27. Elicia says:

      Loved learning more about you Allison! I love your bright, happy work!

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