Today we’d like to introduce you to Ally Davis.
Hi Ally, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hey Y’all! I am Ally Davis, a lifestyle photographer based in Conroe, Texas! I have had my business for a year and a half now and I am honored to have been able to capture so many special moments.
Since I can remember, I have always loved the camera. As a child, my family would always laugh at me because of how many selfies I took and how I wanted photos of every little thing we did together. At events, my friends and family would always choose me to take their picture.
Fast forward to college, when my husband purchased an old camera from the pawn shop and surprised me with it. I was so excited to use it to document some trips we went on together and to take a million pictures of my dog. In 2021, when I became a mom, photography grew into a much bigger passion. Quickly after I brought my son home from the hospital, I took my camera back out because I did not want to miss a single moment. My baby was growing so fast and I wanted to remember every smile, milestone, and cuddle. Looking back now, I cherish those photos so much because they remind me of how raw and beautiful that season of my life was.
After returning to work from maternity leave, a coworker/friend asked me if I would capture her pregnancy announcement photos. I was so honored she would think of me to help her share such a sweet secret with the world! I had an absolute blast documenting such a special time for my friend. That shoot made me realize that I could use something I loved so much to bless others. Since then, I have been obsessed with telling the stories of others and highlighting their natural beauty! I could have never imagined a passion would grow into such a fun business, but it did! It was unexpected, but has brought me an immense amount of joy!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I shared with my friends and family that I would be offering some sessions to build my portfolio, I was overwhelmed by the response. Everyone has been so extremely supportive and encouraging through this process of building a business. There have been some growing pains, but I think all business owners experience that!
I wear many hats so it can be challenging to juggle all of my responsibilities sometimes. While building this dream, I am also a teacher full-time to a class of 7th graders! Additionally, I am a Mama and Wife! This means that I teach all day and then I come home and edit until I cannot keep my eyes open anymore. I am working during the week and doing sessions during the weekend. I am a perfectionist, so sometimes, I can be hard on myself and really critical of my work. I am learning to give myself grace, to find rest in the busy seasons, and to give thanks to God every day. I love what I do SO much and I am honored to be able to help so many families freeze moments in time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Ally Davis Photography is a family lifestyle photography business based in Conroe, Texas. I specialize in all things family, motherhood and maternity, but I also offer boudoir, and portraits. My editing style is very bold and colorful and I pride myself on telling the authentic stories of families.
I think what sets me apart from others is the passion I have for encouraging others and spreading joy. I have always prayed that my business would be a light to the world. My favorite part of being a photographer is hearing my clients’ stories and reminding them just how beautiful they are! My clients say I make them feel comfortable and special. When a client books a session with me, they are booking a time to create memories with their loved ones. If their children want to build sand castles or race their dad down the beach, I allow them a comfortable space to do that. I am simply there to capture the joy on their faces when they do the things that bring them happiness. I want to capture the way babies embrace their Mama, the way a husband looks at his wife, and the way a child giggles when they kick their feet in the water. I believe my clients deserve to be celebrated for exactly who they are in this season. I love seeing the looks on their faces when they see how stunning they look from my view. I want my clients to feel comfortable being themselves so I consistently show up as the silly, loud, smiley person I am. Life is too short to be anything less than who you are made to be!
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Great question! The pandemic has opened my eyes to how important human connection and being your authentic self are.
During isolation, we each craved time with others. We missed out on so many memories, hugs, and community. It really made me reprioritize relationships, because I think sometimes we take them for granted. You never know when your last moment with a loved one may be, so it’s important we cherish the moments we have together. When the world started to go back to a somewhat normal routine, everyone became more united. We found joy in things we used to just consider mundane because we realized how fast they could be stripped from us.
Additionally, while stuck at home, we bonded over sharing our struggles. We learned to sympathize with those who were experiencing loss, anxiety/depression, and hopelessness. We craved human connection so much that we started to invest more time on social media and digital resources like Zoom. Instagram and similar platforms have now become less about aesthetic, and more about sharing yourself as you are. Instagram reels and TikTok are becoming more and more relatable as people start to peel back the layers of a perfect, polished, lifestyle to reveal their authentic selves. I think we really needed this. We are seeing a major shift in the media to video because I believe people are craving the human connection more than ever. Everyone needs a reminder that they are not alone. We realized our world could shatter at any moment, so we do not have time to waste painting a picture of an unrealistic version of ourselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sessionl.ink/allydavisphotography
- Instagram: instagram.com/allydavisphotography
- Facebook: Facebook.com/allydavisphotography
Image Credits
Rooted Souls Photography edited by Ally Davis Photography.
Main photo by Brook Stanley Photography, edited by Ally Davis Photography.
