Photography Blog: Tips, Stories, and Projects

(All written by Allison Patel)

Browse the blog by Category:

Family Photography

Maternity Photography

Newborn Photography

Personal

Prints

RVA-related

Allison Patel 9/12/23 Allison Patel 9/12/23

How to Dress for Indoor Family Photos

How should you dress for an indoor family photo session? Not too casual, not too dressy… I have some tips for you.

Allison Patel 9/5/23 Allison Patel 9/5/23

Challenge: A Dad Who Hated Photography

I had a real client challenge: a (super sweet) dad who hated photos and was apprehensive about me coming into their home with the goal of taking photos. Challenge accepted.

Allison Patel 8/29/23 Allison Patel 8/29/23

What to do with In-Home Family Photos

What can you do with non-traditional, unposed family photos? The same things you can do with traditional, posed family photos. Except better.

Allison Patel 8/22/23 Allison Patel 8/22/23

Gloomy Day Midlothian Family Photos

What happens when your family photo session day is gloomy and rainy? Well, when you’re doing in-home family photos, nothing changes and we have an amazing time. Here’s proof.

Allison Patel 8/15/23 Allison Patel 8/15/23

How Photos Reshape a Memory

I found a pack of printed photos while packing to move, and they brought me back to a time I had rather not remember. Here’s how these photos added color to a black and white time of life.

Allison Patel 8/8/23 Allison Patel 8/8/23

Why You Shouldn’t Hire a Professional Photographer

Want to know the five reasons why you shouldn’t hire a professional photographer, and how I can write a whole blog dripping in sarcasm? I got you covered.

Allison Patel 7/25/23 Allison Patel 7/25/23

Why and When I Choose Black and White

The tale of how I learned how to see tones in black and white, and how I apply that in my client work now. Hint: sometimes it’s easy, and sometimes you have to fail multiple times.

Allison Patel 7/18/23 Allison Patel 7/18/23

The BS Behind “18 Summers”

There are a few crucial factors that the fear mongers haven’t taken into account when they tell you you only have 18 summers with your kids.

Allison Patel 7/11/23 Allison Patel 7/11/23

The Box Above the Mantle: A Lesson in Foresight

Foresight is hampered by our inability to predict the future. Change is always happening, even when we can’t see it.