You’ll Be Glad You Said Yes

Most clients tell me afterward that they weren’t sure how they’d feel about having someone there—but once they saw the photos, they were so grateful they made the decision.

It’s hard to remember the details when you’re the one going through them. Birth moves quickly and slowly at the same time. You are too deep in the experience to step back and really see it.

Married couples, this one’s for you.

In the middle of a downtown family session, we slipped into a quiet alley—and I asked them to just be together.

You don’t need a big occasion to deserve photos. Sometimes the quiet ones mean the most.

Want me to save a moment for just the two of you in your next session? Let’s make it happen.

Fall calendar is open. $500 sessions through the birthday special.

You’ve bought the cap and gown. You’ve marked the calendar with senior nights and final games. Maybe you’ve even started drafting a graduation party list.

And now it’s time to plan the senior photo session.

If you’re like most boy moms I work with, you might be feeling a mix of excitement and… a little hesitation.
Because let’s be honest—most boys aren’t begging for a photo shoot. They don’t dream of outfit changes or scroll Pinterest for pose ideas.

But here’s the good news: that doesn’t mean the session can’t be meaningful. And it definitely doesn’t mean you won’t get photos that make you stop and stare when they land in your inbox.

You just need the right approach.

Some sessions are emotional because of the light, the weather, or the life season. Others are emotional because of the people—and the history you’ve shared with them over the years. This one had all of the above.

I've been photographing this brother and sister for years. I’ve seen them as kids, preteens, and now teenagers who—shockingly—still like each other. That’s not something you can fake, especially in the middle of downtown Birmingham, on a stormy summer night. We shot under the overpass for a moment and then we moved into the rain, and yet, there they were—laughing, teasing, and making each other crack up the way only siblings can.

We had one night. That’s it. Just one little window between graduation, practice schedules, work schedules, a family trip, college move-in dates, and the general mayhem of summer. The forecast? Not exactly promising. A storm was rolling in, the skies were dark, and the humidity was out for blood. But with no other options, we decided to go for it anyway.

The result? Perfection!!

Family is everything, and there’s no better way to celebrate the bond between generations than with a family photo session. Extended family photos are a beautiful way to capture the love, connection, and memories that you’ll cherish for years to come. Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or simply want to preserve the moment, extended family sessions are an investment in your family’s legacy. Here’s why extended family photos matter and why you should consider booking one with Kristie Allen Photography, the premier Birmingham family photographer.

Senior year is one of those moments that seems to sneak up on you, yet it also feels like it’s been years in the making. As your teen gets ready to step into the next phase of their life, there’s no better way to celebrate this monumental time than with a Senior Photo Session. But why exactly do senior photos matter? In this blog post, I’ll dive into why senior photos are so important and why you should invest in preserving this fleeting chapter with stunning portraits.

Let’s be honest—most senior boys aren’t counting down the days until their photo session.
They’re not texting their friends about what to wear or dreaming up poses.
But that doesn’t mean the session can’t be meaningful.
And it definitely doesn’t mean it can’t be good.

Still Not Sure if Birth Photography Is Right for You?

That’s okay. It is a big decision, and it is not for everyone. But here’s what I would say: If you’ve ever looked back at a photo and felt something stir in your chest, then you already know how powerful images can be.

Summer is the perfect time to slow down, embrace the season, and capture moments that matter. We often think of family photos as something for special holidays or milestones, but the truth is, the everyday moments in summer can be just as beautiful—and they tell the most authentic stories.

There’s a moment at every extended family session that sticks with me. Sometimes it’s a quiet glance between grandparents. Sometimes it’s a group laugh that only happens when siblings are back under the same roof. But more often than not, it’s the simple joy of being together—because it doesn’t happen as often as we wish it did.

For the Class of 2026, the cap toss is more than tradition. It’s a celebration of every late night, every early morning, every exam, project, and practice that brought them here. It’s the punctuation mark at the end of a long and incredible chapter.

You’ve built something beautiful.

Not a mansion. Not an Instagram-perfect lifestyle. Something far more meaningful: a life, a family, a home that hums with everyday chaos and quiet love.

You’ve just brought home your baby. You’re running on very little sleep and a whole lot of love. Your house may not be spotless, your hair may not be done, and your arms are probably full almost all day long. So let me start by saying this: that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be.

Your newborn session isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about slowing down just long enough to see what this season really looks like—and giving you the gift of remembering it later, when it all feels like a blur.

He showed up with a truck he was clearly proud of—clean, polished, and well taken care of. You could tell it mattered to him. Not in a flashy way. Just in that quiet, steady kind of way some high school boys carry themselves.

We made sure to include it in the session.

Let’s Tell Your Story

If you are planning a scheduled induction and want someone to document your birth in a thoughtful, respectful way, I’d love to talk with you. I take a limited number of sessions each year so that I can give each family the time and attention they deserve.

Your baby’s birth day is not just a medical event. It’s a story of becoming. A moment you’ll revisit a thousand times in your memory. Let’s give you something beautiful to hold onto.

It might start with someone saying, “We haven’t had a photo of all of us in years.” Maybe it’s the first time you’ve had everyone together since a wedding or holiday. Or maybe a grandparent says quietly, “I’d love a picture of all the grandkids.

You probably have a thousand phone photos of your kids—some blurry, some hilarious, some surprisingly beautiful.
But how many of those photos have you in them?

Here’s the thing: your presence matters.
Your family story deserves to be told with you in the frame—not just as the one behind the camera.

As a Birmingham newborn photographer, one of the most common questions I get is, “When should we schedule our newborn photos?” And honestly? The answer is: a little planning now makes everything so much easier later.

If you’re expecting a baby and hoping to have those dreamy, cozy newborn photos taken, here’s what you need to know.

Graduation is more than a ceremony—it’s a turning point. A moment full of joy, nerves, and the sweet in-between of closing one chapter and stepping into the next. Cap and gown sessions are one of my favorite ways to celebrate it all.