Allison Smith Imagery

06/03/2026

FOUNDING GUEST INVITATION

Before this one-of-a-kind service is available for booking, I'd like to invite a small group of women to be the first to experience it and offer feedback.

For generations, women have been the keepers of memories while often remaining absent from them. We organize the schedules, plan the celebrations, care for the people we love, and carry the invisible work of everyday life. Too often, we exist behind the camera instead of in front of it.

The Portrait Salon was created as a space where women can be seen, heard, valued, and held exactly as they are, on their terms, with connection and budget in mind.

Whether you're documenting motherhood, your career, your relationship, your body, a new chapter, or simply this season of your life, these sessions are designed to create evidence that you were here, that your story mattered, and that you have always been enough— exactly as you are.

We rarely question spending money on beauty services, a massage, a gym membership, or other forms of self-care. Those experiences have value, but they are temporary.

Photographs are different.

They become part of your history. They remain long after the appointment is over. They remain long after we are gone. They grow more meaningful with time, and they can be added to year after year as your story continues to unfold.

The first 5 Founding Guest appointments are available as soon as this weekend.

As a thank you for helping to test and launch this new offering, those first 5 appointments will lock in exclusive, Founding Guest intro pricing.

This offering has been years in the making. Your survey feedback has helped to solidify that a lot of you will really benefit from this service. I am beyond excited to share this opportunity with you.

✨DM for all the details & first access.

06/03/2026

I have a question.

My brand has always been built around the idea of creating art that remembers. But why do we only allow ourselves to be remembered when something big happens?

A wedding.
A weight loss journey.
A graduation.
A new baby.
A promotion.
An anniversary.
A milestone birthday.

Why do we treat professional photographs as something we have to earn?

Before becoming a photographer, I spent 7 years behind a salon chair. One of the most valuable things that experience taught me was that people don't return simply because they need their hair done. They return because of the relationship, the trust, the conversation, and because having a place where they're known and cared for matters.

Over the last several years, I've seen that same thing happen in my studio.

I've watched women walk in carrying excitement, grief, pride, fear, confidence, insecurity, new beginnings, and everything in between. I've seen how powerful it can be to be photographed in a way that helps you feel seen.

And it's made me wonder if we've been thinking about photography all wrong.

Women spend their lives showing up for everyone else. We build businesses, raise children, care for families, navigate loss, start over, heal, grow, celebrate, survive, and carry entire worlds on our shoulders.

Yet so much of that goes undocumented because we convince ourselves that ordinary moments aren't worthy of being remembered. I believe that's far from the truth.

I think we need art that remembers women—not just on their biggest days, but throughout the lives they're actively living.

We think nothing of investing in ourselves through a haircut, therapy, a massage, a gym membership, or other forms of self-care because we understand the value those things bring to our lives over time.

What if photographs belonged in that conversation too?

What if being photographed wasn't something you had to earn?

I've been quietly developing an idea that brings some of that salon philosophy into photography, and I'm looking for a small group of women to help me test it.

Not a model call. Not a traditional session. Something different.

I'm also looking for women-owned businesses that offer physical products and might be interested in being part of the experience as I build it. If that's you, I'd love to connect.

If you're curious and would like to hear more, send me a message with the word "CURIOUS." I'd love to tell you about it.

06/03/2026

I love collabing with other creatives and small business owners! How perfect is this space Darci carefully curated for her salon guests?! 😍✨

06/02/2026

One of the things I’m learning from this survey is that accessibility matters deeply to many of you.

I hear that. It matters to me, too.

I want this work to be available to as many women as possible, which is exactly why I’m asking these questions and gathering this feedback.

But I also believe transparency matters if we’re going to have an honest conversation about it.

A session fee doesn’t just cover the time we’re together taking photographs.

It supports a physical studio space, equipment, software, insurance, continuing education, client resources, editing time, communication, gallery delivery, and all of the behind-the-scenes work required to create a safe and meaningful experience.

It also has to support the very human reality that small business owners need to earn a living, pay their bills, and feed their families.

So while I’m listening closely to what feels accessible, I’m also looking at how to create options that allow this work to continue serving women for years to come.

That’s why I offer options like Affirm, Klarna, and in-house payment plans, and why I’m taking your feedback seriously as I explore ways to make this experience more accessible.

Supporting this work doesn’t always have to be financial, either. Sharing posts, commenting, engaging with content, referring friends, and helping spread the word all make a bigger impact than you may realize.

We’ll keep working through this together to create change for all women and how we view ourselves. Thank you for your honesty, your support, and for helping me build something that can reach more women while continuing to provide the experience you deserve.

If you haven’t done so yet, please feel free to share your feedback here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdixaTYhocZ8kkyGqZfMTtALzl5AoC3etry626cAVj_n1sm-w/viewform?usp=dialog

06/02/2026

This business wasn’t built for women.

It was built with women.

Every change I’ve made, every offering I’ve created, every shift in direction has come from listening to the people this work is meant to serve.

That’s why I’m asking for your feedback.

Not because I’ll be able to do everything everyone asks for, but because understanding what women need, want, struggle with, and value helps me make better decisions moving forward.

If you haven’t filled out the anonymous survey yet, I’d love to hear from you.

Your voice deserves a seat at the table.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdixaTYhocZ8kkyGqZfMTtALzl5AoC3etry626cAVj_n1sm-w/viewform?

06/02/2026

ICYMI: Your feedback is so valued! Thanks for your time!

I need your help.

For the last few years, I've had the privilege of watching women walk away from their sessions seeing themselves differently. Standing a little taller. Speaking a little kinder to themselves. Recognizing beauty, strength, resilience, and worth that had been there all along.

This work matters to me. It's never just transactional. We have the opportunity to make impactful change with this work and this art.

Lately, I've been asking myself an important question:

How do I make this experience more accessible to more women without losing the care, intention, and artistry that make it meaningful?

The truth is, I don't want to guess. I want to hear directly from you, because it's you that I serve.

Whether you're a past client, future client, someone who's thought about booking, or someone who has never considered it at all, your perspective matters.

I need honest feedback.

Not the answers you think I want to hear. Not the answers that spare my feelings. The real answers.

What's stopping you?
What barriers exist?
What would make an experience like this feel more attainable?
What would your ideal experience look like?
What am I doing well?
What could I do better?

I've put together a short anonymous survey, and I would be incredibly grateful if you'd take a few minutes to complete it.

And if you know someone who might have valuable insight, please share this post and the survey with them. The more voices represented, the better I can understand how to serve women in our community.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me.

🔗 Survey Link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdixaTYhocZ8kkyGqZfMTtALzl5AoC3etry626cAVj_n1sm-w/viewform?usp=dialog

06/01/2026

I need your help.

For the last few years, I've had the privilege of watching women walk away from their sessions seeing themselves differently. Standing a little taller. Speaking a little kinder to themselves. Recognizing beauty, strength, resilience, and worth that had been there all along.

This work matters to me. It's never just transactional. We have the opportunity to make impactful change with this work and this art.

Lately, I've been asking myself an important question:

How do I make this experience more accessible to more women without losing the care, intention, and artistry that make it meaningful?

The truth is, I don't want to guess. I want to hear directly from you, because it's you that I serve.

Whether you're a past client, future client, someone who's thought about booking, or someone who has never considered it at all, your perspective matters.

I need honest feedback.

Not the answers you think I want to hear. Not the answers that spare my feelings. The real answers.

What's stopping you?
What barriers exist?
What would make an experience like this feel more attainable?
What would your ideal experience look like?
What am I doing well?
What could I do better?

I've put together a short anonymous survey, and I would be incredibly grateful if you'd take a few minutes to complete it.

And if you know someone who might have valuable insight, please share this post and the survey with them. The more voices represented, the better I can understand how to serve women in our community.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me.

🔗 Survey Link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdixaTYhocZ8kkyGqZfMTtALzl5AoC3etry626cAVj_n1sm-w/viewform?usp=dialog

06/01/2026

“As women, as we age, we’re often forgotten and just fade into the background.”

Hearing that thought shared hit me like a ton of bricks.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to present to and chat with the PA Affiliate Chapter of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Club. I had a lot of fun and meaningful conversation with some really great women. However, as we explored the topic of body positivity and the way we view ourselves as women, they shared with me some thoughts/feelings/beliefs that shook me to my core.

This organization was a beautiful group of middle aged to more experienced women. A lot of them shared with me that they feel that as they age, they become less relevant and fade into the background noise of life. They feel more pressure to hide wrinkles and the way their body is changing or end up just feeling hidden themselves.

From teen years to wiser years, women are constantly being held to unrealistic and strange prepubescent beauty standards created by society and the male gaze. If we don’t fall into line, we’re left behind.

As women, it’s up to us to change that narrative. We can change that in the way we speak to each other and most importantly to the way we speak to ourselves. We owe it to all of the generations of women who came before us and who will come after us.

This is why I’ve carefully built this experience around the women who walk into this space— not their partner, not societal beauty standards.

These conversations couldn’t have shown up at a better time because they’re incredibly relevant to my current projects.

I do have traditional albums, artwork and photo products available for purchase. However, I’ve been working on building a unique and carefully curated menu of session experiences and products designed to remember you.

You deserve to be remembered, exactly as you are, in every phase of your life.

Now Offering:
•The Remembering— an intro level, financially friendly session experience
•Personalized Power Pendants brought to life with the help of Momslazerco LLC
•Custom candle options brought to life by K Naturally

05/29/2026

that weekend feeling ✨

05/29/2026

The best thing I can offer you isn't a client closet, hair and makeup, or a glass of champagne. It's knowing you're cared for before you even walk through the door.

The studio now has a complimentary coffee + tea bar, along with a "just in case" shelf that I've affectionately named the Oh S**t Shelf.

It's stocked with things guests often forget or suddenly realize they need: feminine hygiene products, black cheeky un**es in many sizes, high socks for that classic lived-in look, chapstick, hair pins, floss, makeup wipes, and a few other small things that make a big difference.

I've been keeping note of the things that come up most often during sessions, and finally brought this to life.

A lot of bo***ir is marketed as a luxury experience. That's just never been what this is about for me.

I want this space to feel safe. Comfortable. Intentional. A place where you can show up exactly as you are and know that you're supported.

I also don't believe alcohol needs to be part of this experience. Bo***ir can be vulnerable, emotional, and deeply personal. I want you present for it—calm, clear, supported, and fully experiencing it for yourself. Honestly, I'd rather sit down with you over a cup of tea or coffee and have a heart-to-heart for an extra 40 minutes to help calm your nerves than offer alcohol.

From wardrobe planning, to posing coaching, to having the little things on hand, to holding space for you throughout the process, I'm here to support you.

You should feel seen.

You should feel heard.

You should feel cared for.

If there's something you'd love to see added to the shelf, let me know in the comments.