Sabrina Allison
Photographer.
I am a freelance photographer based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
For the last 10 years I have been shooting boudoir, weddings, portraits, family and event photography such as conferences, concerts and protest demonstrations. Over the years, I have had many happy repeat customers.
Up to this point I was self-taught, I am currently enrolled in the Professional Photography Programme at the Nova Scotia Community College to enhance my knowledge of photography, studio lighting and gear.
I am creative and enjoy telling stories through a camera lens. Photography is my passion and I look forward to shooting every day!
Since I was in my early 20s, I always wanted to become a photographer. I bought my first camera 10 years ago and took a couple of courses through HRM Recreational Guide
In 2013, a friend suggested I take a 36 hour Digital Photography course at NSCC. I did and I loved it, I was hooked and wanted to learn more. The next step was to enroll full time at NSCC in the Photography Programme but there was a major problem with that, I was still employed. I continued taking courses, online, attended workshops and had a couple of mentors. But I knew that I needed to go to school full time to learn everything about photography.
As I was getting closer to retirement, I was constantly in prayer about becoming a photographer because I did not want to stand on the sideline any longer. In 2018, I knew that I needed to start preparing for school so I bought a camera roller bag and a lunch box. Then I applied to NSCC.
It was about a month or so before I learned that I had been accepted into the Professional Photography Programme at NSCC. As I read that email, I started crying because I was so happy then I picked up the phone to call 2 of my friends but I could not get through to either one. Then I remembered that I needed to do one very important thing and that was to thank God for answering my prayers! Once, I did that I was able to get through to my friends to tell them my good news. Although I was extremely happy about being accepted into the photography programme, a couple of months later I deferred. I was afraid of the unknown, so I continued working for another year and I was not happy and had regretted my decision. While I was waiting to learn if I would be accepted a second time, I prayed, read a Bible verse, Habakkuk 2: 2, And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision and make it plain on tablets that he may run who reads it. I also listened to Steve Harvey’s motivational speeches “Jump” & “Be Ready to Receive.
The next school year I received the email from NSCC with the news that I had been accepted for the second time. I very happily submitted by resignation from my full time job. Now, here I am living my best life!
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What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
I am proud of having my photos published in Photowalk Halifax magazine in 2019.
What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
Our biggest opportunity is to raise the profile of boudoir photography and to show it as a tasteful and professional art form that women would be proud to participate in. You could do this by providing the women with a discreet and professional atmosphere to have the pictures taken by a professional female photographer that would use her expertise to only do quality and tasteful photos of the women she is photographing. Women would be proud to have these photos taken and would give them to their significant other as presents for their birthdays, Father's day, Valentine's day and their anniversaries. This would change how society looks at boudoir photography as a whole and create a whole new market for this type of photography.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
I have been out of school for 40 years and successfully passing the first semester has put me on the road for a successful completion for the Professional Photography Programme.
What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?
The Bible is my favourite book to read. Throughout various stages of growth there were scriptures that applied to my life.
What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
Going back to school was a big adjustment and the number of assignments were overwhelming and I would let it get to me, I started saying "the struggle is real". Now I say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13. I prioritize things much better this semester.
Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?
I studied and observed many professional photographers and looking at their amazing shots inspired me to be just like them.
What would you have done differently?
I would have gotten involved in photography sooner.
What are the principles you live by?
I am a God fearing woman that believes in being honest, respectful, considerate and that all people are created equal. I live by these morals and principles everyday.
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Photographer, loves exercising, travelling, spending time with my great nieces and nephews, volunteering, fundraising, foodie and dog lover