The Forethought of Grief

Posted on February 5, 2019February 4, 2019 by Allison

I became a mom almost 13 months ago, and so many changes came with it. The obvious struggles of newborn life were there, but also there was something else. The joy that accompanied my newborn into the world was given...Read More

Simple and Fun Family Photos

Posted on January 29, 2019January 28, 2019 by Allison

What do you think of when you imagine family photos? Do you picture the stiff poses from your own Awkward Family photos, or maybe feel a little triggered from your mom whispering threats and violence if you didn't sit still...Read More

Procrastinators, Unite

Posted on January 15, 2019January 30, 2019 by Allison

I'm a classic procrastinator. I'll have the blog post page open on my laptop, cursor blinking, and my phone will beep hello at me. I'll pick it up, acknowledge the notification, and then dive headfirst into something distracting, for a...Read More

All the Goals

Posted on January 8, 2019January 7, 2019 by Allison

I like to set lots of goals at the beginning of a new season, and the new year is no exception. I love to track and manage and organize goals and watch how I grow and check things off my...Read More

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2018December 24, 2018 by Allison

The holiday season seems to bring equal parts joy and sorrow, it seems. I've been on an emotional roller coaster this week. I rode the emotional wave between one family's utter joy in the birth of their daughter, and two...Read More

Life and Trust

Posted on December 18, 2018December 17, 2018 by Allison

I wrote this a few years ago but feel it's still pertinent and it warranted a repost. Life in our society is built on trust. Trust that justice will prevail, that while bad things happen to good people, it will...Read More

What a Temp Holiday Job Taught Me

Posted on December 11, 2018December 9, 2018 by Allison

My freshman year of art school was a shock to my wallet. Books are no joke, but art supplies are EXPENSIVE, y'all. I made it almost to the end of my first semester of college before I ran out of...Read More

Pictures of You

Posted on December 4, 2018December 4, 2018 by Allison

Pictures of you are not for you. Sure, sometimes it's nice to admire a *really* good photo of yourself, but for the most part, we're each our own worst critic, and we hide photos of ourselves in drawers or the...Read More

New Places, “Old” Faces

Posted on November 27, 2018November 26, 2018 by Allison

"Can we park here?" The sign at the flood wall canal walk parking area is confusing, and the meter asks for $8 for the day. We were only planning to be there for 30 minutes. "Uh, sure! Let's give it...Read More

The Return of Carter – Three Lakes Park

Posted on November 13, 2018November 12, 2018 by Allison

I find it wonderful that I have lived in Richmond for 18 years and can still visit a park for the first time. My return clients know that I suggest locations for sessions, but I also love when they ask...Read More

Allison Patel Photography

Family Photography and Maternity Portraits in Richmond VA