Today we’d like to introduce you to Allyson Kiser
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up I always had a camera in my hand. My dogs and the trees in my backyard were my original subjects — some more corporative than others! When I entered high school I was super blessed to intern with my photography teacher who was a wedding photographer. After my first wedding I was hooked. I moved on to intern with another wonderful and immensely successful photographer right after high school and the desire to pursue a career in photography grew fervently. Throughout college, where I pursued a degree in history and religion, I worked at building my company and my clientele. I can point back to very specific decisions within the early parts of my career that have led to my success today. The mantra of “investing in myself always comes back to me threefold” has been leading the current season of my career. Looking back to see very scary decisions make long lasting impacts has been incredibly refreshing. Seeing the trust I had in myself and God to provide all those years ago, has only strengthen my hope for big decisions today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I really wish I could say that it was an easy road but I cannot. From the pandemic, to trying to build a company amidst seeking a degree, to all the challenges of running a company, things have been a wild ride. But I think what it is important to remember is it is just that: a wild ride. Some days truly feel like you are flying and things could never get you down. Other days it is hard work and discipline that help you build both your own mental fortitude and the foundations that keep your business running. Then there is the pit of despair, also known as tax season. I think having multiple reasons “why” and a wonderful community can make or break you during the hard seasons and keep you from losing yourself during the really high highs.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a wedding and lifestyle photographer who specializes in connection and artistry. Weddings and giant life milestones can often bring a lot of noise and chaos. I work really hard to be a sense of calm and clarity amongst all of the insanity. It is my dream that my clients would connect in a deep and profound way through these milestones and through their images. I spend a good deal of time with my clients leading up to their wedding day. My goal is to understand the inner workings of their love for each other; the parts of their partner that bring them to a halt amidst the insanity and allows them to feel joy beyond words. From that place of understanding I can watch for the little moments no one else sees and capture the longing looks from across the room. My artwork FEELS like looking at your partner with love in your heart at the altar or dancing like no one is watching during your reception. I have always been told that I have this ability to cut through the noise and capture the essence of a person. I feel so blessed that I can do that for so many wonderful couples as they marry the love of their life.
I am also thrilled to offer all day coverage to my clients. Another thing I noticed to be a difficulty and added noise to brides is trying to calculate hours of coverage. So, I decided to take the thinking out of it and now I capture weddings from final hair and make up touches to their exit. This allows me to capture all the tiny moments and enjoy watching my clients fall more and more in love.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Oh my gosh little Allyson could be pulled out of a crowd with ease. I have definitely mellowed as an adult but she and I are still familiar. Growing up I had the zeal for anything and everyone. I made friends everywhere I went, a love for shoes that has proven to be very expensive (sorry mom), and a dreamy mind. I truly saw the world through rose colored glasses and I am so happy whenever I can put them back on. A lot more of life is about returning to the things I loved as a child (like swinging on a swings & going to the movies with friends) and bringing them back in fun, exciting ways.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kiserimages.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiserimages/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KiserImages/
