Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hara Allison. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hara, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
When I was young, I always had a camera in hand.
In high school, I had my own darkroom. I had to wait until late at night and would cover my windows with all my blankets to make my bedroom as dark as possible. After school, I worked at the Great American Chocolate Chip Cookie Company at the mall, and all the money I earned went toward purchasing film and chemicals to develop my images.
I studied Communications in college and majored in Advertising, but photography was always my passion. I got a job as a graphic designer and almost left it to work at a photography studio in Miami. But I was so intimidated by lighting that I didn’t take that leap—and I gave up photography completely.
When I moved from Miami to Idaho at the age of 23, I sold my enlarger, and that was that.
That is, until I attended a conference at 51 years old. Over and over that weekend, I was told that if you have a dream inside of you, it’s there for a reason—that you are gifted that dream, that desire. Something was stirred inside me.
It wasn’t photography that was knocking, but rather the realization that I had learned to love myself—no matter my age or the number on the scale—and I wanted that for others.
After a lifetime of missing out, hiding, and hating myself, I finally loved me—just as I was—and that was life-altering.
Soon after, I attended another conference for women over 50, where I ended up sitting next to the same person for most of the weekend. She went on and on about how she hated the way she looked. I was floored, really. I only saw her beauty.
On the final day of that conference, I asked if I could take her picture to show her what I saw. With only my iPhone, I took pictures of her and started a series I called Yes, Yes Magic—my favorite line from A Streetcar Named Desire. This was a week before my 52nd birthday, and my plan was to photograph 52 women that year. It now seemed so obvious that the way to help people love themselves was for me to take their pictures so they could see their magic—something they often missed but that I saw so clearly.
About five women into the series, I invested once again in a professional camera. And before COVID hit and halted the series, I had photographed and spoken with 25 women. We sat together and chatted for an hour or so before each session. It hit me that what I offered was much more than photography—the real gift was a safe space.
Once COVID lifted, I began a new series called SEE ME (see it here). This was my daughter’s idea: to have me paint words on her that represented who she knew herself to be—not what others saw. It turned out to be very emotional, with women struggling to claim their beauty, sexiness, and power. But once the words were emblazoned on their skin and captured in an image, they came to believe their own truth about themselves.
This also reinforced that I am a safe space for others, and so began my podcast, Beneath Your Beautiful (listen here). Every week, for 170 consecutive weeks, I shared guests’ stories about how they rose above their struggles—ending with an episode of my daughters interviewing me after I was newly diagnosed with marginal zone lymphoma.
The final episode aired last June as I began chemo treatments.
I also published Beneath Your Beautiful magazine, which ended at the same time (see it here).
It is now five and a half years since that first conference where I felt this powerful urge to help others love themselves.
My professional photography has evolved quite a bit since that first iPhone picture in Yes, Yes Magic. I love delving into the depths of someone, getting to know their struggles and triumphs, and sharing that in an image.
In a week, I am moving into Dream Studio. It is a dream come true. My teenage self would be so happy—mostly that I’m known for my lighting! And that fear no longer stands in my way, nor the lie that I’m not smart enough.
I am, should I die tomorrow, happy.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For me, I love to get to know people – to dive deep. Mr. Rogers famously said “There isn’t anyone you couldn’t learn to love once you’ve heard their story.” I love that. Stories stick with you. And through my photography, as well as my graphic design, I share stories. I get to know my clients and they feel comfortable around me. When I’m photographing someone, my favorite thing to do is sit across from someone, at the same height, and just chat. Little by little, the images become more relaxed and their eyes soften. It’s about being on the same page, in this with them, trying to capture exactly who they are, not who they pretend to be in front of a camera. That’s my favorite!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I am the youngest of six kids and my sister closest in age was the gifted child and I wasn’t a great student. So, I believed a lifelong lie that I was dumb.
It wasn’t until I learned lighting for photography, during COVID at age 52, that I saw that I’m capable of learning new things and that I can forge new paths and that I can live my dreams!
It’s never too late!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
My mom was an amazing artist and she passed away when she was 46 and I was only 18.
Her art fills my home.
I never dared to paint or draw because I could never be as good as she was.
And then, when I was in my mid-40’s I decided to try my hand at painting. And I decided that I didn’t have to be like my mom. I could be like me and that would be good enough. I found great pleasure in creating and I learned to have fun, to enjoy the process, despite the outcome.
I threw away many canvases but never regretted the time I spent learning the craft.
I always, in whatever medium I’m working in, (including photography), aim to have fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hara_allison_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hara.allison
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haraallison/
Image Credits
Hara Allison Photography