When I started working the Nutmeg Designs website, I knew we needed photos of Stratoz and me in our studios, to show where we work, our natural habitat. Fortuitously, I met Allison Puketza of 4A Photography, and she was intrigued by the idea of capturing people in context. She came over with lights, and spent time getting our studios composed, with an artist’s eye as to what makes a good focal point and color. She advised I wear one of my orange pendants, and I love that! Allison also noticed that Stratoz had the drawing he’d made for a Hope mosaic on his table and I had the mosaic in progress on my table, and she loved how that symbolized our collaborative work.
Allison got her first SLR camera when she was in the 6th grade, and was surrounded by a creative family, with biweekly slide shows, and “paint-offs” for entertainment. She started making scrapbooks as a journal for each year, and was an art major in college before the expense became too much. Eventually she went back, and finished a degree in sociology, but the idea of going to school for photography was a dream that stayed with her, and Allison began an online master’s program through the Academy of Art University Photography School of San Francisco. After 6 years of part time study, Allison graduated in 2011. Her business, 4A Photography, located in the Souderton, PA area, is named for herself and her family Alec, Abigail and Anja. Allison designed her own logo, and I love it, especially being my last name starts with A!
Both her daughters are now in school and she is branching out with her photography, doing family portraits, workplace portraits, and still maintaining her love of abstraction which she discovered while in photography school. Allison asked if Stratoz would create a stained glass piece inspired by some of her abstract photos. This is the kind of inspiration that we love, and Stratoz made a very cool suncatcher with interpretations of 4 photos from her Impressions of Space series.
I absolutely love the portraits she’s done of you two, and I loved reading about how she got started and then returned to the craft and excelled, and I was so intrigued by her logo! GREAT post!
You both look very happy in your “habitat.” Great photos! Allison dd a great job helping you stage things while keeping it natural.