Alli | Central Michigan Photographer

Welcome to my blog! I’ve been overthinking and deliberating about what I wanted my first blog post to be. I am a victim of perfectionism, especially when it comes to my online presence. I want this blog to show my voice, my personality, in a way that reaches my clients and speaks to them. So I suppose there’s no better way to start than introducing myself.

Who am I?

I am a photographer.

(But you already knew that.)

I picked up my first DSLR camera in Christmas of 2019. It was a gift from my sweet boyfriend, who knew I had an interest in photography. I’ve actually ALWAYS had an interest in photography. My first Disney-themed point-and-shoot camera was given to me when I was 8. I wish I could remember what happened to it. My second point-and-shoot I received when I was 11, which I took EVERYWHERE. I still have an old SD card with my photos on it. Once I got a smartphone, you could find my Instagram littered with artsy, horribly-edited pictures from my teenage years. I was always expressing myself through photos and editing, but I didn’t realize at the time how deeply that part of me ran.

Fast forward to now, 2024, and I am a full-time wedding photographer. I no longer shoot with point-and-shoots, but rather an elaborate collection of professional gear that I’ve acquired over the past few years. Did I ever think that this is what I’d be doing with my life? No, not at all. I just knew I liked expressing my creativity through this medium.

I am a wife.

Remember the boyfriend that gave me my first DSLR camera? He’s been my husband for 2.5 years now! We were college sweethearts, meeting a month into our freshman year and never separated. We first started dating in 2017 and became newlyweds in November of 2021. He is my biggest encourager and supporter. I could not run my business without him. I would be remiss to not mention my thankfulness for him in my first blog post. Love you Justin <3

I am an artist.

Although it’s photography now, I’ve always had some type of outlet to express my creativity. You name it, I’ve probably made it a hobby at some point. When I was a little kid, I sang and wrote my own songs, convincing myself that my calling was to be a famous singer one day. Nowadays, I hate crowds and having all the attention on myself. I also wrote little picture books, wasting my parents’ computer paper to create all of my stories and illustrations. I still love creative writing, even if my stories will never see the light of day. As a teenager, I went through a painting phase, ukulele phase, and guitar phase. I carried the painting and guitar with me through college, but eventually that faded out of the rotation. Photography has been my primary outlet for the past 4 years (and the only one that’s stuck), although I do enjoy hand-embroidery every once in a while, making hats and shirts and wall decor for my loved ones.

Maybe my never ending hobby-switching has to do with my attention deficit disorder. However, I’m choosing to view myself as an artist instead.

I am a social worker.

So, I went to college, and now I’m a wedding photographer? I know, I don’t really understand how that happened either. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in social work in 2021. I worked for a couple of years in foster care licensing. I am so grateful for that job and the skills I acquired because of it. I will always have a passion for social work and helping those that need it. I never viewed social work as something that could fit into my passion for photography- until a therapist recommended that I merge the two of them, and a light clicked for me. Although I am not working in a nonprofit anymore, or do home visits, or carry a lanyard that states my credentials, I will always have a soft spot for that industry and carry those skills and values with me into my business.

I am a Christian.

Lastly, and most importantly, I am a follower of Jesus. My faith is the integral foundation for my business, my identity, my values…everything. I love the Lord with all my heart and try to align this with Alli Rose Photography. God is the true CEO of my business. I LOVE being able to pray over my clients and put my faith in the Lord rather than my own doing. Thank You for Your faithfulness and provision, Jesus!

"We know that God works all things together for the good of those that love him." Romans 8:28