Meet Ali
mother + photographer + volunteer
Let’s make some memories
Let’s make some precious memories together! I have had ten years of experience making beautiful artwork for corridor families just like yours. Each session is carefully planned around your individual style and will fit perfectly into not only the design of your home, but will showcase your family’s unique personality. My passion is to bring art to life and ensure each family I serve has the opportunity to showcase heirloom artwork in their homes. Real, tangible artwork is so much more important than digitals to be put on social media, only to be seen in a “memory” on your social media feed annually. Real artwork is meant to be displayed in your home and cherished daily.
The experience I provide is unlike any other photography studio in eastern Iowa. I offers a full service experience for your family. While I specializes in newborn, maternity, child and family photography, I am always happy to take on senior sessions or weddings.
My sessions are full on family memories. Together, we will laugh, sing, play, and dance. My goal during your session is to ensure your little ones feel their best. The memories you make at your family session will be ones to cherish forever. I strive to ensure sessions are fun, memorable, and as easy for your family as possible.
A note from Ali
As the owner of Ali Photography, a mother and full time healthcare worker, my life stays pretty busy. I have a creative fire within that drives me to create unique and inspired images for my clients. I have spent hundreds of hours studying the art of photography and will spend many more in the years to come. My dream is to fill the homes of the families that come into my studio with timeless portraits that showcases their family as beautiful works of art. I want my lens to create a time machine that can transport you to the most joyous times in your life.
I am honored that so many families have allowed me the opportunity to capture once in a lifetime images for their family. I want to be able to take you back in time, help you remember the tiny toes, and remind you how much your family has grown. I want to help create an amazing experience that your family will remember and precious memories that you cherish for years to come.
My favorite part of this job is being able to watch the families and children I photograph grow. It brings me great joy to be able to see a bump turn into a precious little newborn, watch that newborn turn into an expressive little sitter, and watch them start walking, running, and turn into a wonderful young adult. I look forward to getting to know you and your family. I cannot wait to capture all the precious little moments in your life.
Why do I take Family Photos?
Family photos are a beautiful art. There is so much that goes into taking family photos. Iowa family photographer s have a tough time with this because the seasons here do not always provide ideal conditions for outdoor sessions. Iowa photographers have to be very versatile and offer sessions indoors as well as outdoors. Family photos can be quite tricky to take inside, sometimes photoshop is needed to extend backgrounds or lighting fix may be necessary. Family photography keeps me on my toes and I adore it. Capturing little moments, like the one pictured to the right makes photography art.
Why do I take Newborn Photos
I take newborn images because of my sons. They were both premature and I was unable to get newborn portraits from a local photographer for both. My oldest was deemed “too old for newborn photos” by all local photographers by the time he was released from the NICU. My other was a covid baby and photographers were not taking newborn clients at that time. I had to take both of my son’s newborn portraits. The image you see beside me was the first image we were able to take of my son after quarantine restrictions lifted a little and we were able to do an outdoor image.
Why I volunteer
So many mothers have gone through a loss of their infant, either early on in pregnancy, at term, or after birth. I volunteer my time and gift remembrance photos to mothers. You are only able to hold your little one for what seems like a moment. I want to help you remember each little detail and gift you the memories of the time you you get to spend as a family. I currently serve St. Lukes, Mercy Iowa City, and the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. I also volunteer as a digital retouch artist for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep in addition to my photography role.
Why do I print images?
Printing images makes you look at them. There is just something indescribable in looking at the difference in digital and printed images. The printed images tend to evoke more of an emotional response. I have shown many galleries to parents via computer and they are always appreciative. They love the images, but there is a disconnect, I can only imagine due to the screen. I can show the same family the album with the beautiful images, thick, glossy pages, laid out perfectly, and the entire mood shifts. Most parents tear up when viewing their albums and printed art of their newborns. I want to ensure you love your images. Nothing compares to seeing a client overjoyed with their printed products. I have had many mothers and brides’s eyes well up with tears flipping through the pages of their memories. Your life is a story, physical images keep those memories alive. Print your pictures, not just as a 4×6 you’ll never look twice at, but on canvas or in an album. Make these memories keepsakes your kids can sit down with their children to look at. I did not print out any images of my first, and was unable to get a newborn session due to a NICU stay. This is the single biggest regret of my life. All his images from one year on, as well as my second, are printed and showcased in my home for everyone to see. Your life is worth documenting. Print those images of your family, showcase them.
Why I travel to you
Having a new baby in the home and adjusting to the new addition is a wonderful joy, but it is stressful. I like to take as much stress off new parents as much as possible. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice beautiful images that most photographers tell you have to be done in studio. I bring my studio to you! The image next to this was taken in a client’s house. Can you believe that?
