Joy and Delights: What the World Needs Now

Posted on March 4, 2020March 4, 2020 by Allison

This world is a disaster. A complete disaster, with fires and viruses and ridiculous choices made by leaders that affect us all. It's enough sad things to make me briefly doubt the choice to bring babies into the world. What...Read More

Love is a Verb, Y’all.

Posted on February 11, 2020February 11, 2020 by Allison

"January was a tough year, but we made it." That seemed to be the general consensus among everyone at the end of last month. January is usually a rough month, with the holidays behind us and spring so far in...Read More

Years that Answer

Posted on October 1, 2019September 28, 2019 by Allison

"There are years that ask questions and years that answer." - Zora Neale Hurston I first heard this quote when I had plenty of questions of my own: What am I doing with my life? Will we ever get out of...Read More

A Little Pre-Summer Fun

Posted on May 28, 2019May 27, 2019 by Allison

Summer is finally here! It's my favorite time of year, full of happy childhood memories of running through the woods, drinking straight from the garden hose, and going to the beach. Summer isn't quite complete for me without a trip...Read More

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

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

Lessons Learned by Re-watching the Office

5 Things I Learned About Relationships Re-watching the Office

Posted on July 10, 2018July 9, 2018 by Allison

We've been re-watching The Office basically on repeat since January. Comedy Central plays marathons that last about a month for all 9 seasons, so I've seen each episode about 6 times in 2018. Re-watching over and over, you see different...Read More

A Brief Rant

Posted on June 19, 2018June 18, 2018 by Allison

I don't have a long post today, just a brief rant on our country. I'm convinced that laws are created in our country by people who have never been parents, or by people who were parents so long ago that...Read More

The Struggle Seems Real

Posted on June 5, 2018June 3, 2018 by Allison

I go through the photos from my infant son's monthly photoshoot, and cringe at the ones I'm in. "The struggle is real," I sigh, hardly recognizing me as me and instead seeing this person who took over for me in...Read More

Allison Patel Photography

Family, Maternity, and Newborn Photography in Richmond, VA