I’ve always loved photography for the magic that happens when emotion and human connection are intertwined and frozen in time through photography. Being able to look back on these images and recall those emotions and moments is a gift I am grateful to be able to give so many people.
This love transformed into my career path when a friend, who is also the wife of a Rabbi, asked me to photograph her son's bar mitzvah. I was honored to be entrusted with this important job and from that first service, fell in love with documenting this special rite of passage. With three kids, tween and teen age of my own at the time, it felt natural to also dive into senior portrait photography, capturing another cherished milestone of life which brings me so much joy.
Being a Bellevue based photographer, I have been able to work with so many wonderful families, graduates, and temples across the area. My photography has also taken me around the world, getting the chance to work in amazing places like Barcelona, Singapore, Chicago, as well as Silicon and Napa Valley. I can’t wait for more adventures in new places and new opportunities to work with unforgettable people like yourself.
I feel I was made for this job and am so thankful to be able to do what I love for a living and meet such wonderful people along the way. I am an unapologetic empath, hardwired to feel deeply for others and seek authentic connection. Clients who book me will tell you this shows in the beautiful, timeless images I create for them. Say hello today so I can create this for you too!
YOUR JOYFUL BAR & BAT MITZVAH AND SENIOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER
Hi, I'm alison
've been a senior portrait and bar + bat mitzvah photographer for over a decade and LOVE what I do. My personal obsessions include: my family, our senior dogs (a spicy Chihuahua terrier mix rescue and hilariously expressive puggle), and San Juan Island (the photo in my "Favorite Things" list below might convince you to make it YOUR favorite too!).
I
Smiley family, circa 2008. 🤍
My husband Jeff and I have been married for over 30 years.
He is the love of my life and we've raised 3 amazing kids (now young adults) who have each changed me for the better!
I am a lucky, lucky girl to have these joy filled humans in my life!
THE SMILEY FAMILY, CIRCA 2008
Family
My Favorite Things
Meet Whitney & Miley.
A quirky chihuahua terrier rescue and a funny puggle... these two senior dogs have kept us smiling and on our toes for all their years!
If you were to swing by our house, you'd probably find them near me patiently waiting for me to finish editing images...
...or near the door patiently waiting for me to return from a session!
WHITNEY & MILEY
Our furry family members
My Favorite Things
San Juan Island is my favorite local escape!
I travel the short trip to this idyllic, sweet piece of heaven every chance I get!
If you ask me about a San Juan itinerary, be prepared to sit and get comfortable. So much beauty awaits you there and friends will tell you I'm long on words and excitement to tell you all the wonderful sites you should be sure to see!
Pods of orcas in the wild, lavender farms, sweeping prairies above cliffs that decend to the ocean. It's all there. And it's perfect.
SAN JUAN ISLAND, LIME KILN LIGHTHOUSE AT SUNSET
SAN JUAN ISLAND
My Favorite Things
I grew up sharing my Dad's love of long distance running and completed my first of many half marathons at age 12.
While the focus, determination and love of movement my parents modeled has stuck with me, I opt for other forms of exercise over running these days.
(read: As an adult I was thrown off a treadmill at the gym once.)
(Ok twice.)
1979 PEAR BLOSSOM HALF MARATHON
MOTION
My Favorite Things
Yosemite has always had a special place in my heart, spending many summers there at my family's cabin... and Cathedral Beach on the Valley floor may be one of my favorite spots within the park, with Glacier Point a close second.
"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." - John Muir
yosemite valley & half dome, 2021
yosemite
My Favorite Things
Yosemite has always had a special place in my heart, spending many summers there at my family's cabin... and Cathedral Beach on the Valley floor may be one of my favorite spots within the park, with Glacier Point a close second.
"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." - John Muir
yosemite valley & half dome, 2021
yosemite
My Favorite Things
SNAPSHOTS OF my
You Deserve the best
book now to have your milestone moments captured beautifully
hile I don't remember this photo shoot specifically, I think what we have here is someone who has some serious concerns about the credentials and methodology of her photographer.
Get on my calendar now to book a joyful photographer who will connect with you... and possibly even make you forget you are being photographed.
1967 Alison?
She wishes someone in charge had done just that.
Alison, circa 1967
My background story
say hello
W
Alison is more than a skilled photographer - she has the rare capability of making people forget that they're being photographed, allowing her to capture my daughter’s personality in each image. Her photos make me feel like I’m living these moments again, disproving the adage that you can’t go back. When I saw the amazing photos from my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, I made sure to elicit a promise from Alison that she would include both of my daughters on her schedule for senior portraits, and I’m grateful that she was able to fit us in. Having too many beautiful photos to choose from is a problem I’m very happy to have.
- Edana
Alison is a true artist. Her superior high quality and stunning style shine bright in every photo. Alison’s ability to instantly create a comfortable atmosphere while capturing beautiful and meaningful moments is why we have booked her for multiple important milestones. Her warm presence and calmness eased stressful family dynamics - that alone is priceless. After two bat mitzvahs and a senior session, our home is filled with stunning photos we will cherish forever. We are so lucky to have found Alison!
- Randi
I wanted to find a photographer that would capture my daughter today, but would also see and capture her whole being, all eighteen years of her. Alison did this. She made the session fun, comfortable, and she effortlessly brought out the light in Lucy's spirit. She made my senior felt seen, special and taken care of. What a gift. We feel so lucky to have found her!
- Kristen
I do not have words to express what an absolute total package it is to work with Alison. Alison is a professional who knows how and when to get the perfect shot, while at the same time bringing warmth and humor to a sacred celebratory experience. The results of our relationship are priceless pictures we are moved by viewing again and again. 10/10 would work with Alison again for any of our family photography needs!
- Zoe
Alison photographed our daughter and family for her Bat mitzvah in 2016. What an easy experience! Anna was shy, easily overwhelmed, and slightly uncomfortable being photographed, but Alison immediately put her at ease with her gentle yet upbeat personality. Soon Anna was giggling, and to this day they are my favorite photos of her; we truly treasure them. So it was an easy choice to call Alison again in 2020 for Anna’s senior photos. As expected, the experience was well-planned, calm and relaxed, and the photos are absolutely beautiful.
- Molly
Alison was a joy to work with, from beginning to end. So professional, thorough and sweet in her communications, and then you meet her and she's even lovelier in person! To say my daughter has a passion for books would be a huge understatement. Alison was not only willing but encouraged her to reach out to the local bookstore to have part of the photoshoot there. It made the experience (and the pictures) a truly unique and beautiful experience! When it was time for my son's senior portraits it was a no-brainer. Alison has a huge gift of putting kids (teenagers!) at ease and bringing out their best most natural selves. The photos she took will prominently be on display in our home for a lifetime! Thank you Alison!
- Annie
We could not be happier with the beautiful images Alison created. She really captured Davis' personality in that moment in time and we so enjoyed the session with her. She is so kind, fun and relaxed, it’s no wonder she makes such beautiful images. We are so grateful for her time - these are memories we will keep forever!
- Irene
I will always stand behind my saying “Nobody does color like Alison.” Every person, young or old - every senior in high school, Bar/Bat Mitzvah or special photography session - will be so proud with the photographs to admire as memories to last a lifetime. Alison has always listened to what I would like out of our sessions: my dreams and goals to cherish as memories to last a lifetime. When you look at the beautiful detailed outfit, or the amazing background, you too will be saying “Nobody does color like Alison.”
- Raquel
Alison is a master at making you feel comfortable during the photography session. She suggests locations, poses, special spots with the best lighting all with a smile on her face and words of calming and support! She truly is an expert at her craft and the photos will come out exactly as what you wish. I have hired Alison for a quick 15 minute grad session for my son who will only tolerate a few pictures and I have hired Alison for a few hours grad session for my daughter who wanted flowers and 3 dress changes! We will be hiring Alison in the future!
- Arden
Words
