Alena Lauren Photography

08/03/2026

It was such an honor to be interviewed by the wonderful Nikki Closser for the Studio Tours Podcast recently. We talked about how I make it work in my tiny but mighty Ballard studio space, (only 88sqft!)

It has certainly been a labor of love, and took a lot of work and creativity... but I'm so proud of what I've been able to create in this space, and the experience I'm able to provide for my clients.

So thankful to Nikki, who I have looked up to for so long, to take the time to chat with me.

I hope you all find it inspiring, and if you take away anything... You don't have to wait until everything is perfect to start working towards your dreams! Just start

The Tiny 88-Square-Foot Studio That Has Everyone TalkingHow much ...

05/07/2026

The final results!!
Old Hollywood Themed Creative Photoshoot collaboration with

ICYMI:
Thread Hunter is an AMAZING secondhand and vintage clothing store in the Ballard neighborhood. The owner, Elissa, picks out the most unique pieces, and I’ve gotten so many gorgeous things for my Studio Wardrobe from here.

The store has the coolest vibe, and she recently turned the back room into a Speak Easy. Here, she features art from local artists, hosts events and even serves drinks.

As soon as I saw the space, I knew it would be perfect for an Old Hollywood Glamour themed Photoshoot. Luckily, Elissa was on board and it all came together perfectly.

She styled the shoot with pieces from the store, and I brought in some jewelry and accessories from my Studio to complete the look.
Our lovely models, Miracle and Nykole, absolutely nailed it and embodied the old Hollywood mood.

We’ll be printing some of these out to display in the store, and I will be Thread Hunter’s featured artist for the August Ballard Art Walk, so make sure to stop in and say hello!

Follow so you don’t miss out on all the upcoming events, and please stop by the next time you’re in Ballard! I guarantee you’ll find something you love.

Go to my profile to see BTS of the shoot, and check out my blog for more!
Models: & 🤩

Would you do an Old Hollywood Glamour look for your photoshoot? 👀

05/07/2026

Some BTS from my recent Old Hollywood Themed Creative Shoot that I did with

Thread Hunter is an AMAZING secondhand and vintage clothing store in the Ballard neighborhood. The owner, Elissa, picks out the most unique pieces, and I've gotten so many gorgeous things for my Studio Wardrobe from here.

The store has the coolest vibe, and she recently turned the back room into a Speak Easy. Here, she features art from local artists, hosts events and even serves drinks.

As soon as I saw the space, I knew it would be perfect for an Old Hollywood Glamour themed Photoshoot. Luckily, Elissa was on board and it all came together perfectly.

She styled the shoot with pieces from the store, and I brought in some jewelry and accessories from my Studio to complete the look.
Our lovely models, Miracle and Nykole, absolutely nailed it and embodied the old Hollywood mood.

We'll be printing some of these out to display in the store, and I will be Thread Hunter's featured artist for the August Ballard Art Walk, so make sure to stop in and say hello!
Follow so you don't miss out on all the upcoming events, and please stop by the next time you're in Ballard! I guarantee you'll find something you love.

Go to my profile to see the final results, and check out my blog for more!
Models: & 🤩

04/15/2026

Today I enter the last year of my 30's, which has been a monumental decade for me, full of ups and downs.

A few years back, I made the decision that every year before my birthday, I would schedule a self-portrait session.

Did I end up doing that each year? Nope!
Do most of us photographers suck at keeping up with their own portraits? Yup!

But given this year, and what it symbolizes, I decided to stick to that original goal this year. And trust me, I was not feeling it that day. At the end of the shoot, I decided to try to take some just for me and decided I didn't care how they came out. I cranked the music up, danced, put a fan in my hair, and let go, not caring if I'd ever use them or not. And something interesting happened, I started to feel like ME again.

After struggling with my mental health for the past few years, in addition to grief, loss, and burnout, this was the first time I'd had that feeling in a long time, and it made me a bit emotional.

And you know what? I LOVE these pictures. The true "me" came out when I stopped caring about the outcome and how I'd be perceived. It's all about breaking those walls down and letting ourselves feel the freedom of being who we really are. And when the camera captures that? Magic happens.

So I decided to share these portraits with all of you, along with 10 lessons that my 30's have taught me.

I hope this post resonates with you and encourages you to take the time you need for self-care as much as possible.
It's vital, and just as important as the care you give to others.

Read the full post on my blog via the link in my bio/stories. 🫶🏻

04/10/2026

I don't know about you, but after seeing the new Wuthering Heights movie, I was absolutely blown away by how visually gorgeous the cinematography, set design, and costuming were. I knew immediately that I needed to do a photoshoot.

It's been a long time since I've done a creative shoot, just for the fun of it, so this was the perfect opportunity to re-ignite that spark!

I took inspiration from various scenes and costumes from the movie, as well as some of Margot Robbie's red carpet looks from the promo tour.

What was your favorite look from the shoot? Which looks or clothing pieces would you want to wear for a shoot? What are some of your favorite movies and how would you want to incorporate those into a custom photoshoot? Let me know in the comments!

Read more about the shoot on the blog. (Link in stories)

My lovely muse: Adrianna
Red skirt, black lace dress, and black corset from Thread Hunter and now permanently in my Studio Wardrobe! 🤩

04/10/2026

Sneak Peek at the Wuthering Heights Inspired Creative Shoot that I did last week with Adrianna! So excited to share the final photos! 👀🔥 Coming Soon, stay tuned!

03/17/2026

Love this trend and wanted to join in! Anytime I'm smacked with the imposter syndrome or self doubt, I try to think about how excited little me would be if she knew what we got to do as a grown up. 💕 Baby Alena, who's favorite class in school was always art, would be thrilled that she gets to use her art to remind women of how others see them, and that their worth is inherent and constant.
Creating portraits with my clients that their inner child would be proud to see is why I keep going even when the world makes it difficult. 🫶🏻💕
We got this, kiddo. Let's keep going.

03/10/2026

Not sure what you would even wear to a photoshoot? We've all been there. Full closet, yet nothing to wear. That's exactly why I've teamed up with Grace, the founder of . Grace is a local Seattle-based stylist and an expert at creating a style that speaks to your personal brand and identity.

If you've stumbled upon this post and haven't met me yet...Hi! I'm Alena, a women's empowerment photographer with a studio in Ballard, Seattle. I specialize in creating customized fashion-style portrait sessions for women who want to celebrate the wonderful, gorgeous, badass that they are.

In this post, we're sharing some simple tips and inspiration to help you feel prepared and excited for your photoshoot. Read the full blog post via the link in my stories/ highlights. If this post was helpful, make sure to save and share, and follow Grace and I for more!
🏷️ Seattle Stylist, What to wear to a photoshoot, Seattle Photographer, Seattle Headshots, Seattle Brand Photos, Seattle Fashion, Self Love Photoshoot