Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Williams.
Allison, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After graduating with a BFA from Columbia College, I worked as a staff photojournalist for Sun-Times Media until I started my company in 2010. In the early days of the business I was photographing for newspapers, magazines, non-profits, and wedding clients. As the wedding portion of the business grew I switched my focus and now primarily shoot weddings. I still do occasional newspaper and magazine assignments as well as working on projects with several non-profits in Chicago.
Has it been a smooth road?
Running a creative business has definitely been challenging at times. I’ve been photographing weddings for 10 years and I still wonder now and then if my art is growing as my business does. It took long enough to understand how to successfully run a business on my own from an administrative standpoint but keeping track of my growth as an artist is much harder. I’m constantly honing my style and pushing myself to make better images. Working through the creative struggles is as much a part of the process as celebrating the photographs that perfectly capture the moment.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We specialize in modern documentary wedding photography. I think what sets us apart is a background in photojournalism. As a news photographer you have to walk into all sorts of challenging situations and make images that tell the story of what’s happening. That skill translates well into wedding photography; when you are shooting a wedding that isn’t going quite to plan being able to see the story unfolding through the twists and turns of the day is what makes every event unique and fun to photograph.
I’m most proud of the feedback we get from clients. Opening a client letter and hearing how the images impacted them is really why I do this kind of work. One of the brides I worked with had her father pass away right after the wedding and she wrote me to tell me how grateful she was that her and her family had those joyous moments documented and how much it meant to them. I feel so proud and honored that I get to photograph such an important day in people’s lives and that those images will become a part of their family history.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Chicago is a great place for photographers although it’s very competitive. There is enough work to go around but you have to set yourself apart and find your niche to be successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.allisonwilliamsphoto.com
- Email: allison@allisonwilliamsphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonwilliamsphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonwilliamsphotography/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwphoto
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/allison-williams-photography-chicago
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/awpchicago/
Image Credit:
All images © Allison Williams Photography.
