We were lucky to catch up with Alyson Aliano recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alyson, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I went to the School of Visual Arts, NYC and got a BFA in Photography and Fine Art. While in school, I was interning to learn commercial photography and interning at a magazine. I came up in a time before You Tube and Masterclass, so I really had to focus on learning as much as i could in every day life. If i didnt know specific equipment, I went to a photo rental house and learned how to use it.
I also worked at a photo rental house right out of college to learn lighting, camera, and grip equipment. I was a photo assistant on commercial photo jobs. That was crucial to see how other photographers handled all parts of their job; dealing with their client, communicating their vision with talent and crew, and general execution of the job.
I found mentors and a great community to ask questions. I often ask colleagues advice on everything from editing my portfolio, making an estimate for a client, and navigating a lot of situations. Having a good community is essential in photo.
Essential skills: taking your job seriously, being on time, understanding the creative directions and asking for clarification, asking for more clarification and direction, working hard and having a good work ethic, being serious and passionate about what you are working on and what you want to create, being a good collaborator, and always striving to hone your own personal vision.

Alyson, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have always loved art and photography. First, I went to Boston University because my family did not see art as a viable career. Then, I applied to art school. I feel fortunate that I have always. been passionate about photography and love it.
I would say, being inspired by photojournalism and real stories, my work is based in realism. I love making portraits. Much of my personal work exists. in series dealing with themes in my life: the female experience, being a stepmom, and bodies of work I can shoot for months or years at a time.
My commissioned work is environmental portraiture and reportage stories. I feel very lucky to have collaborated with editors that believe in my vision and assign interesting projects.
What sets me apart from others, I had to ask my partner this; I care very deeply about my subjects and assignments. I put 100% of myself into it.
A lot of every job is solving problems. For me, I ask a client to provide visual references, what is the mood of the piece, what are we trying to say, are there specific things that need to be photographed? Sometimes, because I often shoot real people, life happens, such as it is raining and we wanted to have bright color, or a family member didn’t want to be photographed. I let the client know that we had to make some adjustments, so managing expectations in these situations is helpful.
When I was a student at the School of Visual Arts, my goal was to shoot assignments for the New York Times Magazine. I am proud that I photograph for them.
I want potential clients to know that I like to collaborate. I think clients visions are exciting. I love seeing things in a new way. I want to work together to best execute that.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I moved to Los Angeles from New York after a breakup and before the 2009 crash. A lot of publications I shot for went out of business. I reconnected with people here in LA. I was able to support myself by going back to photo assisting on other peoples’ shoots and doing production. I learned so much and got to work with amazing people. It was humbling, but kept me working with the skills i have and what I love to do. Also, here in LA, the light is very different than the East Coast. I am very inspired by color, so translating my photographic vision to a new place was a challenge, but good.
I think having patience with myself and keep shooting for myself, keep making personal work when I am not shooting, that I am proud to show has kept me focused and moving forward.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

When I am photographing, I am connecting with other people. I feel most alive and connected to others. I like meeting new people and learning about their life experience. My mission is to make meaningful work. I find that in telling other peoples’ (and sometimes my own) stories. I want to make images that inform others about another person’s experience in a beautiful way and foster empathy between us. I hope that I make images that are beautiful and inspire thought. Also, I love shooting so much, that I would love to be shooting everyday of the year, but maybe have a few days off here and there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alysonaliano.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alysonaliano/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysonaliano/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/alysonaliano