Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Allison.
Jonathan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Looking back, I’ve had many moments growing up where I can give credit to my start as a photographer from my dad, letting me borrow his old film camera in high school to purchasing my very first camera when I was 24 so I could take photographs of my superhero action figures.
As an entrepreneur and as a wedding photographer, that happened much later in my life. Before photography as a career, I was working as an accountant and worked in finance for much of my life, I loved it, but the idea of working in an office everyday really took a toll on me and made me reconsider the direction I wanted to live my life. One day, I just had enough and decided to take a risk, quit my job and leave for Dallas, TX.
Taking that risk, for me, would become a blessing and would change my life to this day! I met a wedding photographer who eventually became my mentor the first week I arrived in this new city. Photography as a career was something I never even considered. After speaking with her about her photography journey, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. So I asked her if she could teach me and thankfully said yes. For a year, I trained under her, soaking up everything I could. The more I learned about photography, the more I fell in love with it!
A year later, I decided to move back to Arizona and decided to put everything I’ve learned into practice and haven’t looked back since!
Has it been a smooth road?
I’ve definitely had a lot of struggles along way and wasn’t always a smooth road. Especially starting out as a photographer and making it a career is never easy. I tell people all the time, that there are no shortcuts and that you’ll definitely have to hustle and grind in the beginning. Some of the struggles for me was working a job while building a business is hard. I would be working during the day and then editing photos and had photoshoots at night, while on the weekends I had weddings. Having a social life was pretty much non existent at that time. Also, the idea of whether you would find enough work to pay your bills was definitely scary. The mental part of the journey was very tough as well, wondering if your art was something that people would like, having to compete with other photographers, and overall asking yourself whether you were good enough.
I will say with all the challenges and struggles, it made me a stronger person. If I can give any advice to anyone who is just starting out, it would be never give up, continue to push because there will come a day when everything just clicks, most people give up before they get to that point so keep going. Also, don’t compare yourself, everyone is different. You have to accept that some people won’t like your work but there are some of who will love it, so do you.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Jonathan Allison Photography LLC – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in wedding photography, but first and foremost I am a storyteller. Documenting the day in its entirety without interfering. Capturing the beauty, the emotion, that wild spontaneity. A story that you will remember for the rest of your life, in exactly the same way that it actually happened. My favorite part of the day is spending time with just the two of you. Focusing on photography that truly captures the intimate love between newlyweds. My goal as a wedding photographer is to make this one aspect of the planning process simple. I want to make your day more enjoyable and relaxing from start to finish. This is what the wedding day experience is all about for me!
I’m known for my confident, kindness and funny personality. I am also the perfect hype man! As well as making my couples feel comfortable and having that trust and confidence in me that capturing their special day is taken care of! As far as what I am most proud of as a company, is that couples and families trust me and believe in me to capture and be a part of their wedding day, such a big moment in their lives. What sets me apart from others is my flexibility and adaptability. Weddings can be so unpredictable sometimes and you never know what can happen. I wanted to make sure as a photographer that I can work in any condition and pride myself on always thinking ten steps ahead when any challenges arises.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love most about our city is almost exclusively because of the combination of stunning natural beauty and world-class parks and trails. We have it all from the desert to the red rocks, to the mountains. We have Cacti and we have trees, lakes and rivers. It is the perfect place for a vacation or a destination wedding if we’re talking about weddings. I really love the community and people out here as well! I always feel a sense of family and community here In Gilbert and Phoenix. I always envision Arizona as a great place to raise a family. What I like least about my city, there isn’t much, I can definitely tell you that. If I had to nitpick I would say we need more Korean bbq’s and ramen shops because you just can’t have enough of those!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jonathanallisonphotography,com
- Email: jonathanallison.photo@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanallisonphotography/
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