Lifestyle Photography: Nothing Lasts Forever

Posted on September 18, 2018September 18, 2018 by Allison

People ask me all the time what I wish I had known before I became a mother. My practical answer is always, "nobody told me about the laundry." Seriously, though. Why did no one tell me about the laundry? My...Read More

Superguilt is My Super Power

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

I've been learning a lot about myself this year. I really thought I'd be able to do the mom thing and the full time job thing and the part time photography thing without any issues and carry on life without...Read More

Sharp as a Tack

Posted on August 28, 2018August 27, 2018 by Allison

After a photo session with a client, I love to race home and immediately pore over the photos we took. It's like Christmas morning, except I know what all the presents are, and it's way more fun to share them...Read More

Burning the Candle at Both Ends

Posted on August 21, 2018August 20, 2018 by Allison

One of my favorite idioms is "burning the candle at both ends." I get it, I can imagine it. You get twice as much light, for half the time. You burn all of your energy by doing two things at...Read More

Step Away from the Phone

Posted on August 7, 2018August 6, 2018 by Allison

My inner monologue sometimes carries a bullhorn to yell reminders at myself from within. It says things like, "don't say that, you'll regret it" or "Stop eating the cookies" or "Go to bed!" Most times, though, it pokes me with...Read More

My Own Personal Yearbook

Posted on July 31, 2018July 30, 2018 by Allison

I like to keep cards and notes from the people I care about. When I'm having a hard day, I sometimes like to reread them as a little pick-me-up. They make me smile, and the inside jokes make me laugh,...Read More

Pick of the Month – A Newer New Format

Posted on June 26, 2018June 24, 2018 by Allison

I've been doing the Pick of the Month series for a while now. I changed the format back in March to more of a series of picks instead of one thing I liked. I'm making another new change to the...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

I’m A Trust Fund Baby, You Can Trust Me

Posted on May 29, 2018May 28, 2018 by Allison

We have updated our privacy policy... six little words I can probably live a lifetime without reading again. Like you, I've received literally dozens of emails over the past two weeks with that as the subject line, and I've read...Read More

Enjoy This Time

Posted on May 15, 2018May 14, 2018 by Allison

I get a lot of advice as a new mom. It varies widely, but one thing I hear from almost everyone is "enjoy this time." Enjoy this time, because it goes so quickly. Enjoy this time, because things will change...Read More

Allison Patel Photography

Family Photography and Maternity Portraits in Richmond VA