Allison Busch Photography

Read slides all the way to the end...

Not every photographer is for everyone, and that’s actually a good thing.

I don’t do a lot of “everyone look over here and smile”. I will take photos of your kids being ridiculous though. 😜 In fact, my priority is to look for the whimsical, more than the perfect shot.

I pay attention to the stuff that’s actually happening between people, and maybe I
introduce some laughter with corny mom jokes. I think those photos are entirely more interesting than the ones with people perfectly arranged in a trendy family hug.

If that doesn’t sound like your bag, no hard feelings!

But if you’ve been scrolling through photographers thinking, ‘I just
want something that feels real, not cheesy or contrived’… hi. That’s kind of my whole thing. ❤️

Wow, I was in Brazil a whole month ago and haven’t posted any photos from that magical 12 days. São Paulo was an energetic hyper-city, Ilhabela was the perfect island getaway. All of it would have been impossible to comprehend without the tireless translating and generous sharing of culture, family, and beauty from my dear sister from another mister Vanessa Silva Thank you, V! ❤️🥹 Also, sharing this adventure was Ember Amador, whose positivity and enthusiasm for life kept everyday silly and FUN! Obrigado, Brasil!

Earlier this summer, I had the pleasure of taking portraits for local author, Chloe Benjamin , in anticipation of the publication of her new book, The Understory.

She was a gem to photograph. We talked about books and cats and Bay Area living. The Understory came out this week, and it’s already been selected as a GMA pick for September. I’m looking forward to reading it myself as it blends so many of my favorite things: a strong female protagonist, mycology, a grief-stricken love story, and some time travel. 😍

Somewhere in the middle of this summer, filled with portrait sessions and brand work, I realized something. These sessions ask something different of me than family sessions do.

With families, there’s a built-in art director that is the kids. They run, they make their parents laugh. Something is always happening that I just have to catch.

With portraits and brand work, it’s quieter. I can be more intentional, more creative. And I’m required to have more of a vision. The person in front of me is waiting for me to tell them what to do.

This has actually made me a better photographer this summer. I’m more patient. More present. And more willing to try new things. I’m taking this into the fall season with me. 🍁

This featured session was for a local home interiors designer and educator, who isn’t on this platform. 👑😜❤️

An ode to home sessions. An ode to sessions with a gaggle of little kids. An ode to sessions where we don’t really do much of anything. To paraphrase Walt Whitman:

We were together, I forget the rest. 🤍

It’s that time of year again! I’m offering three dates of fall mini sessions. September 18 will be at the Letterman Complex in the Presidio, September 25 will happen at the SF Botanical Gardens, and October 12 will be amongst the redwoods in Oakland. 🌲

Mini sessions include 20 minutes of shooting time, 35+ edited images to download, and cost $625. This is a great way to get a handful of beautiful photos with a fraction of the commitment. These dates will go fast, they always do. 🔥

SCHEDULE DIRECTLY AT MY LINK IN BIO!

Yesterday I mentioned that family session season is about to start, but I’d be remiss to not mention that summer and early fall are PRIME time for senior sessions. ✨

I’m taking $100 off all senior sessions booked for the month of September. 💥 That’s enough to cover their matcha 🍵 habit for the first month of school, right?

Head to my link in profile to book and learn more about what my sessions feel and look like. ✌🏻

I’ve been a little quiet on here lately. Not because things have slowed down, but because summer was being summer. 😜 Lots of portrait sessions, some very fun brand work, and plenty of slow time with my friends and family.

But fall is coming, and with it comes the most exciting and full time of the year. My fall books are open and I’m ready to fill with families, graduating seniors, newborn babies and pregnant mamas. Head to my link in bio! 📆

PS If you want the redwood session of your dreams, it’s closer than you think! Hit me up!

Bay Area lifestyle and portrait photographer 📸

Swipe through because I photograph many different kinds of people, and there’s a good chance you (or someone you love) is in this lineup. 👇

🎨 Small creative brands — because your iPhone photos aren’t doing your work justice anymore

🎓 High school seniors — this era deserves more than a phone selfie

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families — the wild, the blended, the “we just want one non-insane photo” kind of families

🤰 Maternity & Newborn — before the haze sets in and you forget how tiny they actually were

🤳 Singles — dating profile photos that actually get you matches

All sessions include a pre-shoot guidance, a private online gallery of all your edited images to download and keep forever, and photos that actually look like you/your family on your best day.

👉 Ready to book? Link in bio to grab your spot.
📍 Berkeley, CA | Serving the entire San Francisco Bay Area