Bright, colorful professional headshot picture of Twin Cities photographer Alison Malone

Hey, I’m Alison!

I’ve spent the last 20 years taking magical pictures. But I’ve ALSO spent the last 20 years connecting with real people, who have stories to tell. Whether those stories are about the growth of their family, coming into themselves, or building an amazing business that does amazing things.

You deserve to have images that represent who you are, and what makes you… you. And that’s my favorite part of what I do. Capturing truth, love, devotion, passion – and the unique moments and turning points in our experiences as humans. And it’s an honor every time someone chooses me to document those moments.

My work is about telling stories

Why do I love photography?

40 years ago my life changed in a moment but has been felt for an eternity. My beloved brother Shaun died in my mothers arms after a horrible accident in front of our home. This fraction of a second has defined my life more than any other.

But the strangest thing is that worst experience is followed by a life full of two humans I would never have met. My wonderful little Sister and little Brother were brought into this family (one via birth and one via adoption) as a way to heal and better understand things beyond words or reason. I would not have the life I have today without the pain and loss of another. I hold them both close to my heart because they are both so beautiful and unique.

So, hold your family (by blood and by choice) close. Tell them you love them more times than you think is necessary, because it is ALWAYS necessary. You never regret kindness, love and connection even if it leads to pain.

This experience is exactly why I became an artist, and photographer. There is nothing more important to me than freezing time. It feels like the only form of control I have (if there is such a thing). I love my camera as much as I love my family and I spend time creating images because holding onto something as fleeting as a moment feels like true power and grace rolled into a miracle.

I’ve done the work.

I hold a BFA and an MFA in Photography and Lens based media. I’ve spent my my entire education centered around, developing the art of storytelling. When it comes to being a Photographer so much more goes into the education than anyone really realizes.

The act of taking the picture is simple and that’s why many people can just learn it online, but the art of telling a story of understanding the history of image making, and having a real passion to communicate visually is a choice that absolutely requires a refined education to be effective. So I’ve spent most of my life refining that skill, so that I can tell YOUR stories, beautifully.

Ready to Learn?

I'm a photographer at heart, but I'm also a teacher, not just in my everyday life, but professionally. And it's important to me that I contribute to our community through teaching and training as well as through my art!

Fall Mini Sessions – Minneapolis Family Photographer

Fall Mini Sessions – Minneapolis Family Photographer

Ahhhh…FALL! It’s just around the corner, and I feel like time continues to fly! Who doesn’t love the season where the leaves are beautiful, the soup is delightfully warm, and the sweaters feel extra cozy? One of my absolute favorite things about fall is the opportunity to photograph so many wonderful families during my mini sessions.

Let’s Talk Style! What to Wear for Senior Pictures

Let’s Talk Style! What to Wear for Senior Pictures

When it comes to choosing outfits, the key is embracing your personal style and feeling comfortable in what you choose. If you want to look back fondly on these as an adult, make sure you are being authentic to who you are at this time in your life.

Elevate Your Creative Portfolio with Custom Headshots: A Session with Kenya

Elevate Your Creative Portfolio with Custom Headshots: A Session with Kenya

At our studio, we specialize in capturing the essence of artists, whether you’re a model, actor, musician, or any other creative professional. We had the pleasure of working with Kenya, a stunning and vibrant model, to update her comp card.

As Seen In:

TIME Magazine features Minneapolis photography by Alison Malone
Esquire publishes Malone Portraits photographs

Kind Words

“Ali easily and expertly brought my vision to life through her photos. Her ability to listen to my imaginative nonsense and bring those ramblings to life was perfect.”

– Amy K

“Shooting with her is truly magical – she makes everyone feel so confident and relaxed.  She brings out the best smiles in my daughter with her positive presence AND she even bought my daughter’s favorite cheese and played Taylor Swift music so she had snacks and fun during the shoot.”

– Marie V

“Ali is an incredible photographer with a deep understanding on how to actually capture the nuance of the person she’s photographing to make beautiful images. Not many can do this. She works harder than anyone I know in this line of work.

– Kermit G

Let’s be friendS!