Ally Quinlan is a creative portrait photographer who also happens to be a wife, a mom, and a night-shift nurse. By day, she captures honest, heartfelt moments with her camera.
Her passion for photography began after the birth of her first child, and it quickly evolved into more than just a hobby. Whether she’s chasing toddlers or sipping coffee at the playground, Ally brings warmth and authenticity to every shot.
In this interview, she shares her journey, creative process, and the stories behind her lens.
1. What led you to specialize in portrait photography? Was it something you always knew you’d enjoy?
Ans. Like many before me, my photography journey began when my first daughter was born in 2016. I wanted to capture all the little details of her childhood and I wanted to do it in a beautiful way. I was scrolling a new, trending fun photo sharing app called Instagram, and I came across several women who were posting images of their children that just took my breath away.
These were not regular phone photos; these were professional. I thought, “These scenes! This storytelling! This light and color! What do I need to do to take photos like this?”
I bought a DSLR, joined a photography community, took tons of classes, put my camera in manual mode, practiced and failed, and practiced some more. I would put my daughter to sleep and stay awake late learning composition, light, and editing.
After months of practicing, I took a photo of my toddler daughter playing next to a window in my living room and she was well-lit and her eyes were in focus. I couldn’t believe my success! Portrait photography was going to be my thing. I was hooked.
2. How would you describe your style when it comes to capturing portraits?
Ans. I would call my style timeless, romantic, and nostalgic. I love to tell a story through authentic, emotion-driven moments in my subject’s natural environment and I prefer flattering warm light and bold, timeless, earthy colors. I aim to capture quiet natural beauty as well as the chaos and love of family and childhood.
3. What’s your favorite part about working with people as a creative portrait photographer?
Ans. My favorite part is when the subject forgets that I’m there! Usually, after thirty minutes or even an hour into a session, I will suddenly see my subject relax, and I’ll get a genuine, authentic connection. If it’s a golden hour shoot, that’s often when the light is just right, too.
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4. How do you make your clients feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera?
Ans. The more the subject is involved in the planning of the session, the more comfortable they will be in front of the camera. For clients, we will discuss what to wear and where we will shoot, and I always explain my thought process.
When they can see the session through the eyes of the creative portrait photographer, they get excited. For example, I’ll encourage light-colored clothes to pop against dark walls, or I’ll say, “Let’s take your ponytail out; the movement of your hair will look incredible in this breeze.” I’ll show them the back of my camera to demonstrate how we work together to create magic. It always helps clients feel relaxed and happy.
5. Can you share a memorable portrait session that stayed with you?
Ans. My favorite session of 2024 was in October, and it was with my children. I told them I wanted a moody Halloween photo shoot, so we collaborated on costumes and made a plan that we were all excited about.
I took my three little witches to a meadow near our house, and the overcast sky cast a soft spotlight on them through the fall foliage. They were enthusiastic about participating, and the light and colors were perfect. The images I captured during this session will forever be my favorites.
6. What’s your process like when preparing for a portrait shoot? Do you plan a lot or go with the flow?
Ans. I would say it’s a little bit of both. I will plan the timing and shooting location, but everything during the session will go with the flow. In order to get that authentic connection with my subject, they have to have room to be themselves.
Q. 7 Do you have any go-to locations or types of lighting you prefer for portraits?
Ans. My favorite locations are beaches, meadows, tree-lined streets, forests, and flowery gardens. I love any place that adds a little bit of mystery, magic, or nostalgia and provides me with various types of light and composition opportunities.
I also live for photographing my subjects at home in their element. I prefer natural light (golden hour, dappled, and soft window light are my favorites). Still, I will occasionally use a spotlight (like a reading lamp) or candlelight, especially in the darker winter months.
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8. How much of your final image comes from what’s captured in camera versus what you do in editing?
Ans. In post-processing, I will enhance light and color, or remove minor distractions in an image, but most of the magic is created in-camera.
If I were more tech-savvy, I could spend more time learning Photoshop, but my skills there are limited, mostly due to my impatience, and also because my three kids would never allow me to sit at my computer for that long.
9. What role does storytelling play in your portrait work?
Ans. Storytelling is the main goal in all my work. The most striking and memorable images to me are the ones that read like a good book. Whether it’s long eyelashes on soft baby cheeks or the eye contact between a father and son, the moment and the details tell the story.
10. Have your portrait sessions changed over the years? How has your approach evolved?
Ans. I would encourage anyone starting in photography to take numerous classes to understand light, composition, and color. Once you have the technical basics down, you will have a solid foundation to build your art and your style.
I also suggest not rushing into taking clients! Starting a photography business can be an expensive endeavor, and the portrait photography market is highly competitive. Please ensure that you have the necessary skills and expertise to set you apart from other creative portrait photographer, as this will help you avoid burnout.
Q.11 What advice would you give someone who’s just starting out with portrait photography?
Ans. I would encourage anyone starting out with any type of photography to take a lot of classes to understand light, composition, and color. Once you have the technical basics down, you will have a solid foundation to build your art and your style.
I also suggest not rushing into taking clients! Getting a photography business off the ground is an expensive task and portrait photography is a saturated market. Ensure first that you have the skills and expertise to set you apart from other photographers and it will save you from burnout.
Q.12 When you’re not behind the camera, what are some things you love doing just for yourself?
Ans. When I’m not behind the camera, I work as a registered nurse on a cardiology unit in a large teaching hospital. The hours are long, and the job can be both physically and emotionally draining; therefore, photography serves as my creative outlet.
I’m also a mom to three young kids who keep me very busy on my off days. I love to read historical fiction and romance novels, listen to music (alt rock/indie, millennial hip hop, and pop throwbacks, as well as movie soundtracks), and go for bike rides.
I also have a vegetable garden that I’m incredibly proud of. I can’t believe I actually got things to grow!
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Q.13 If photography hadn’t been part of your journey, what kind of work or creative field do you think you’d be in?
Ans. If I weren’t a nurse and a creative portrait photographer, I would have become a teacher. Maybe I still will be one day! I think it’s essential, as humans and creatives, to be open to evolving and embracing new possibilities.
Q.14 Is there something new you’re excited to try, whether in photography or even outside of it?
Ans. I’ve been exploring macro lenses lately- I try to spend my (limited) quiet time in my garden, and really appreciate the delicate curves, lines, and colors of the growing flowers and vegetables and pollinators. I’d love to capture those details.
Alternately, I’d imagine sports photography will be in my future as my kids get older and I spend countless hours on the sidelines.
Q.15 Has anything ever surprised you about yourself while working as a photographer, like a skill or habit you didn’t expect to develop?
Ans. Honestly, when I started my photography journey, I had no idea what was in store. Every step of the way has been a surprise.
What began as a simple desire to have prettier photos of my kids for Instagram turned into a full-blown passion and career with teaching opportunities and magazine features. Even this interview is unexpected!
I would love to go back in time and tell my younger self, as she’s hunched over the computer at 2 am, confused about white balance, that someday she will get to share her expertise and knowledge with a company like PhotoWhoa.
Q.16 Which PhotoWhoa products or masterclasses would you recommend to other portrait photographers?
Ans. After mastering the basics of shooting and editing, I recommend that portrait photographers take classes in fine art photography. It will really help you develop your artistic voice and elevate your work to an expert level.
Creative Portrait Photographer: Ally Quinlan
Ally Quinlan reminds us that photography isn’t just about perfect poses. It’s about capturing real, fleeting moments filled with love, chaos, and connection. As a creative portrait photographer, she turns everyday life into timeless art, one candid frame at a time.
Her journey proves that passion can grow from the most personal places, and that creativity thrives when we embrace who we truly are. Whether you’re a fellow creative portrait photographer or just someone who loves a good story, Ally’s work is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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