Posted by Meaghan Cody
Today we area featuring Allison Davis of Allison Davis Photography! We met Allison at one of our Thursday Therapy’s in Dallas and we absolutely adore her. She is so sweet and we can’t wait to get the chance to work with her soon!
We had the opportunity to ask Allison a couple of questions and here is what she had to say… Enjoy!
How did you get started in the Photography business, and specifically with weddings?
I went to college and pursued a degree in journalism. Right after college I worked as a reporter for a local newspaper and they had me photograph events and people to go along with the stories I wrote. A little bit after my husband and I got married he bought me a camera because the second paper I worked at didn’t even have a decent camera. Then I was asked by a co-worker to photograph a small wedding at DBU. I fell in love with photographing weddings. They began as just another event to photograph but I loved the idea of photographing one of the happiest days in a couple’s lives.
What is your typical day like as a Wedding Photographer on the day of the wedding, and also on a non-wedding day?
On a wedding day I try not to leave my house. I always want to relax, clean my house, watch a movie – something chill like that. Then it’s go time! I typically have to drive about an hour to my wedding venues. I leave extra early to make sure there isn’t traffic or anything that would make me late. Then I arrive the venue, check in with my bride and then walk the venue to scout out locations for portraits. The wedding day always flies by so fast! I just get into work mode and once we’re at the reception, it’s time to capture the party. When I get home, I grab a snack, download my cards, take a shower and then post a couple of sneak peeks from the wedding day on Facebook.
On a non-wedding workday, I wake up excited and run to my computer to start working. I answer e-mails, call clients, edit images, blog, read blogs, check out twitter, maybe grab lunch or coffee with a colleague, get to the gym at some point and go out with my hubby at night. There is so much more to being a photography business owner than photographing events and portraits. There are tons of business tasks you take care of. Every day is always so different with my job.
What would you say makes your style or personality unique from other Photographers?
I call my style romantic and modern wedding photography. Romantic because I strive to capture the unique and beautiful chemistry and passion my couples have for one another. I love dip kisses and light pouring through the background. Modern because my photographs aren’t stiff and overly traditional – I like to photograph the comfortable feeling you have between couples.
Favorite tips or advice for the bride and grooms to be?
There are so many random tips to share and I’m sure brides and grooms are inundated with advice when it comes to the wedding day. But here are mine for marriage: 1) Make time for one another. Weekly date nights, nightly dinners, random lunch dates – giving your time to your spouse shows them you are a priority. Our time is such a limited resource, and when we share it, we should share it with those closest to us. 2) Find hobbies to do together and on your own. It’s important to find ways to spend time together but everyone needs a little bit of alone time. 3) Find things to look forward to together. I’m a big fan of vacations because they’re fun experiences, but also because it’s something to plan together and something to look forward to together. My husband and I are always dreaming of the next place to visit. We’ve had some of the best times in our lives on vacation together. 4) Continue to communicate your expectations and feelings with your spouse. It’s so easy to let things creep into your marriage unless you talk about issues, things you want to do, ways you want to grow together, etc. 5) Do nice things for one another. Go out of your way for one another. You did those kinds of things when you were dating because you wanted to impress the other person, but it’s great to find ways to impress the other even when you’re married. It keeps you love for one another growing instead of leaving it stagnate.
When you aren’t working, what are some of your favorite things to do?
I love planning dinner parties and random celebrations. I’m also learning to play golf. I wouldn’t be a Dallas girl unless I said shopping and dinning out too. Aaron and I love going to Studio Movie Grill too. We also serve in our church in a lot of different areas.
What are some of your favorite venues in the DFW area, and why?
There are so many Dallas and Fort Worth wedding venues that I love. I’m connected to so many venues because of the couples I’ve photographed there. Some venues I love are:
Aristide Event Center: it’s such a beautiful place with great outdoor ceremony options and they have an amazing ballroom with great lighting.
Prestonwood Baptist Church: I love the chapel and the wonderful wedding coordinators there.
I love country clubs in the area, but Stonebridge Ranch Country Club and The Tribute Country Club are two of my favorites.
The Melrose Warwick Hotel is one of my favorite hotels in downtown Dallas. They have such beautiful ballrooms.
I also love the Dallas Arboretum and The Fort Worth Japanese Gardens for Spring and Fall weddings because the setting is just naturally beautiful and full of great portrait opportunities.
I would love to photograph a wedding at the Dallas Musuem of Art, Marie Gabrielle, The Milestone and Edison’s. Those are some wedding venues on my wish list.
