Last year my portraits exhibited at the Getty Images Gallery and Lloyds of London. One short listed for Portrait of Britain. Magnum Photography called my work, “Highly Rated.” I love to explore gender diversity and authenticity, but I also photograph for individuals, families and do corporate work. So if you need head shots that reveal the true person, web photos that build the humanity in your brand, I am your woman!

I am a feminist, so imagine my excitement when award winning barrister Sally Penni  (centre) asked me to shoot an event for her on International Woman’s Day. She founded Women in the Law, a networking group that promotes career progression through personal development.  I adore Sally, she is a very impressive woman. So brilliant, in fact, that she had convinced Baroness Hale to speak at the Women in the Law Annual Dinner. The first ever female President of the Supreme Court  was in Manchester at the splendid Midland Hotel  to join  Northern lawyers celebrating in suffragette city!

A whole team of women were preparing for the event whilst I tested my lighting, trainers and flats were exchanged for heels ( except me – photographers shun heels when working!) and the drinks reception began. I took this calm moment to shoot a lot of the younger lawyers as they are the future and I knew that when Lady Hale arrived I would be following her instead. It was important to me to represent a diverse group of women and capture them networking.

I was introduced to Lady Hale by Sally and we had a quick chat before I stepped back to photograph her with guests. This is the part of my job I love. I study people’s faces, linger over their expressions, read their eyes. Shall I tell you what I saw? Lady Hale has a face that divides into two halves. She has ethereal beauty. She may smile warmly, yet her eyes may tell a very different story of piercing intelligence. She sees into people. I am sure that if you have stood in front of her in court you will have realised that she reads you very perceptively. I found her fascinating. An empowered woman, rather like meeting an ancient Goddess and experiencing awe and a touch of fear! Her keynote speech was powerful and she makes no apologies for wanting a fairer world where women have the same opportunities as men. If you want more details check out her recent 2018 Christabel Pankhurst Lecture.

I was invited to dinner, my companions were great people, the food was excellent and the live music fabulous. Which brings me to the title of the story. Lady Hale was as, “Our Brenda” and I realised that to the women in that room Brenda Hale is a person to embrace as our own. She campaigns for women, inspires women, mentors lawyers and proves that women can defeat all barriers. I hope that my dinner companions work together to make the judiciary more diverse and equal and I am pretty sure “Our Brenda” would tell them to get on with it!

 [email protected]

Be true to you.

Allie x

The Getty Images Gallery Exhibited 2017.
The Lloyds of London Exhibited 2017.
“Intimate Portraits” Published in America by Joyce Tenneson.
British Photography Awards 2017, Short List.
Magnum Photography Awards 2017 “Highly Rated.”

A DOUBLE HELPING OF IMPRESSIVE WOMEN!

Tonight, the 8th March is International Woman’s Day and I am to photograph the “Women in the Law” Annual Dinner. The highlight for me will be meeting a self declared feminist, who has promoted diversity on the bench and was is the first ever female president of The Supreme Court. Baroness Hale is described as a feisty woman and as a special bonus the Daily Mail is not so keen on her progressive views, so I am liking her before we have even met! Brenda Hale taught Law at Manchester University for 18 years so it is fitting that she will be celebrated in our city for International Women’s Day 2018.

I was invited to photograph the event by Sally Penni who is award winning Manchester Barrister and campaigner for Women’s equality. Like Brenda Hale she promotes diversity and is an awesome force of charm, intelligence and energy. I met her when she interviewed me at Didsbury FM and she can hold a room!

This will be the first job that my daughter has assisted me on so it is rather fitting that she gains some work experience (she is an A level student) at The Midland Hotel with a room filled with amazing women! Book me for your corporate events, web images and head shots.

The engagement and wedding season is imminent and this year with a Royal wedding your families may have higher than ever expectations. You may feel the need to live up to the Royals, even if like me, you don’t even like or respect them. There will be no escaping the daily media focus, but how does that make you feel?

Now gay and lesbian weddings are fairly commonplace, lots of venues offer “diversity and acceptance” but if you are trans gendered things are often difficult. The trans women I shoot are very diverse, there isn’t one pattern. Some are in relationships with men, some women, some see surgery as a solution to being born into the wrong body and some don’t. I could go on, but you get the idea. It is not as clear cut as sexual orientation. 

If you are LGBTQ you need the right people to handle your wedding. You need an ally. So if the Chairperson of Sparkle (the national trans gender charity) pays me a compliment I am going to publish it!

” Allie is very easy to work with, and being relaxed is essential for a good photograph.

The end result was a superb study and I have had lots of compliments on my portrait.” Joanne Mason.

So if you are looking for an intimate engagement shoot or a talented ally on the big day email me or phone for a chat! I have added a Stonewall link with up to date U.K. guidelines and legalities below. 

0784 072 6363 

 [email protected]

http://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/partnership-rights/same-sex-marriage-and-civil-