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

Grace and Naps

Posted on April 17, 2018April 17, 2018 by Allison

I thought I knew what grace was. I'm a Christian, and in Christianity grace comes up a lot. I know it as something God grants you when you sin, as forgiveness that can't be bought. But motherhood has taught me...Read More

A Hard Battle

Posted on March 20, 2018March 19, 2018 by Allison

"Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." For a long time, I tortured myself by following an incredibly successful Richmond photographer on social media. She was peppy and pretty, recognized nationally for her photography, and was incredibly...Read More

An Attitude of Gratitude

Posted on November 21, 2017November 20, 2017 by Allison

If you look up researchers Emmons and McCullough in Google, you'll get a full search result page about a study they performed in 2003. The study was all about gratitude and how being grateful affects your well-being. The study is...Read More

My Brother’s Wedding Keeper

Posted on June 13, 2017June 12, 2017 by Allison

If you've been following for a while, then you already know that I don't do weddings. If you're new here, I don't do weddings. I enjoy attending weddings, I like the sentiment of weddings, I just don't like to shoot...Read More

Allison Patel Photography

Family Photography and Maternity Portraits in Richmond VA