I was fortunate enough to receive my first camera at eleven years old. I never wanted to put it down. I would get my middle school gal pals together and we would dress up and have fun photoshoots in our backyards, the park, and the random wheat fields of Pennsylvania. For the next few years, we got more and more creative with our ideas.

I was really interested in making YouTube videos in middle school. It was one of the reasons why I wanted a camera. For whatever reason, I never pursued making videos. I was more interested in taking photos — I discovered the beauty in freezing a memory in time.

I traveled to Colorado in the summer of 2016 to visit my grandfather. Of course, I had to bring my camera along with me. We traveled around a good portion of Colorado for a few weeks, camping for a night or two in so many different towns. It was truly an incredible experience. I specifically remember walking in downtown Salida when I saw a photography studio. I guess I never really realized that I could pursue photography as a full-time job until that moment. I remember saying to my mother that day that I wanted to move to a place like Colorado and become a full-time photographer one day.

It’s been a long and slow process… don’t let me fool you that it’s been easy. And guess what — I am STILL working towards my goal! But that’s okay! I am learning more and more how much hard work it takes to run your own business, especially by yourself. Being able to do what you absolutely love while also making an income is something that comes with nothing but hard work.

Lets flash forward to the fall of 2021. I was going through a really rough time. I was in a terrible living situation, with a job that wasn’t getting me anywhere. To be quite honest with you, I am not even really sure how I was going to be able to proceed in the situation that I was in. I remember saying out loud to nobody but myself, “I wish that I could just leave this state and restart everything. I have no reason to be here in this city anymore.”

That same week, I got a call from my mother. She excitedly broke the news to me that she had just gotten offered a manager’s position in Grand Junction, Colorado. She asked me if I wanted to move with her to Grand Junction that weekend. I immediately knew that this was my invitation to restart and refresh my life.

Since moving to Grand Junction, I found a job working with a local company as a professional photographer for over 600 schools. I have gotten more serious than ever with making photography my career. I also met the love of my life, who proposed to me the following summer. I have found so much confidence in myself and what I do, and I have lived so many experiences that I would’ve never dreamed of in a million years.

I am excited to be able to connect with other like-minded people, and learn the stories of others. Getting the opportunity to capture the most important moments of our lives is truly something so special to me. I hope to have the pleasure to capture some of yours!

-Aly