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

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

Size Matters

Posted on May 22, 2018May 21, 2018 by Allison

Once upon a time, there lived a girl who covered her bedroom with photos of people she loved. The size didn’t matter; she had professional 8×10 photos hanging beside 5×7’s, casual 4×6’s, and 3.5×5″ prints, and even larger prints that...Read More

Infertility Awareness Week

Posted on April 24, 2018April 23, 2018 by Allison

It's Infertility Awareness Week. A year ago this week, I was mentally and physically preparing for the (we didn't know at the time would be the) last step of our years-long attempt to grow our family. We went to the...Read More

Why I Chose Families

Posted on August 29, 2017August 26, 2017 by Allison

I've been doing photography for a long time. I went to VCU (Go Rams) knowing little more than "I want to be a photographer when I grow up" and spent 4.5 years shooting everything (and nothing, don't get me started...Read More

What’s Your Family Ritual?

Posted on March 14, 2017March 12, 2017 by Allison

What is your favorite family ritual? The "tradition" that gives you the warm and fuzzies when you think about it. Is it Saturday mornings, when everyone hangs out in their pajamas, breakfast is all smiley pancakes, and there's nowhere to be...Read More

10 Things to Do in Richmond With a Toddler This Summer

Posted on June 17, 2014September 7, 2015 by Allison

Ah, summer. The time of year when the kids live in bathing suits, and you've been to the pool/rolled out the slip 'n slide/made a puddle in the yard more times than you can count. And it's not even technically...Read More

Tutorial Tuesday – Photos in front of the Christmas Tree

Posted on December 18, 2012September 8, 2015 by Allison

Attempting to control children in front of the tree long enough to get a great photo is difficult. Doing the same with a 100 pound dog is nearly impossible. Today's tutorial has fewer photos in it, simply because my model...Read More

Allison Patel Photography

Family Photography and Maternity Portraits in Richmond VA