Fairhope, Alabama
Newborn, maternity, and family sessions across Fairhope and the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. I shoot every outdoor session ninety minutes before sunset, when the light is at its best — and I photograph families playing, snuggling, and being goofy rather than saying cheese.
Sessions from $300 · All-inclusive, no hidden fees · Payment plans available
Seven kinds of sessions
Which is why each one starts at a different time of day. Sessions start at $300 and every price is all-inclusive — see the full investment page.
Ninety minutes before sunset
I love photographing families playing, snuggling, being goofy, and just loving each other. So relax and enjoy being with your people — I'll handle the rest. Bring up to two outfits, and save your favorite for the second half.
At the hospital · first 48 hours
I come to you at the hospital, usually within the first two days, while everything is still brand new. The wristband, the tiny cap, the way your family looks at each other for the first time. Nothing is posed — I just document the room as it is.
Weekday mornings · my Fairhope studio
Best done within the first twelve days, while they're still curled up like a comma. I provide everything for the session, though you're welcome to bring anything that's special to you. If you'd rather not leave the house, I'll bring the studio to you.
Bright studio light · Fairhope
Sitting up on their own, the first wobbly steps, the first birthday. These go fast, and they're worth stopping for. Short and sweet sessions built around a toddler's attention span, not mine.
Golden hour, outdoors
This is your chance to wear the romantic gown or the tulle skirt you've never had an occasion for. There's no such thing as too dressed up for a portrait session. I keep an extended maternity wardrobe, so let's talk about what you'd like to wear.
Late afternoon into golden hour
This year is a big one, and the photos should look like the person you actually became — not a yearbook backdrop. Pick the location, bring what you love to wear, and we'll shoot in the best light of the day.
Open shade or studio · any time of day
A picture of you that actually looks like you — for a website, a profile, a business card, or the back of a book. It takes about twenty minutes, and I'll tell you what to do with your hands, which is the part everyone worries about.
Every session includes a consultation beforehand, your high-resolution digital files by download within two to three weeks, and a print release so you can print wherever you like.
How it works
Send the form at the bottom of this page. Tell me who's in the frame and which session you have in mind, and we'll set up a consultation.
The location is up to you, and this is the time to think outside the box. I have go-to places around town, but the best sessions often happen somewhere that means something to you.
Once you book, I send a PDF with everything on styling. Build in a buffer while you're getting ready so you arrive a few minutes early — outdoor sessions start when the light is right, not when we are.
Your high-resolution files arrive by digital download within two to three weeks, along with a print release so you can print them wherever you like.
Kind words
She was wonderful with our three small children and was able to capture the most stunning pictures of the whole family. She took her time and was very friendly and instructive in staging us and offering suggestions. You can truly tell she loves photography, because the way she captured our family is breathtaking. Our girls adored her.
Bailey Alexandra · Family session
Her photography skills are superb, but her social skills and her lasting impact on our lives is greater. She made the entire process seamless despite the frequent meltdowns, snack breaks, and need for Momma's cuddles. She ensured the session was just what I wanted, and catered my daughter's outfit to match the set. I will treasure her artwork forever.
Montana Williams · Children's session
I am someone who hates taking pictures but really wanted the memories of a maternity shoot, and Monica made me feel so comfortable and the process so easy. I was so impressed with how both my maternity and newborn pictures turned out. Monica is incredibly talented and you will not be disappointed!
Whitney Jernigan · Maternity & newborn
Our high energy children light up for her, and she could not have been more patient and playful with them. She's such a talented, easygoing, and kind person. I started trying to select photos I want to print, and realized I was choosing pretty much all of them. It's a good problem to have!
Stephanie Oberlies · Family session
She captured my daughter's sweet and silly personality perfectly, and it is evident in our photos how much fun my daughter was having with her. When I look at them for years to come, I will always be able to remember the sound of my child's laugh, because it was genuine emotion. What a true gift from a photographer and a friend!
Brittney Dasinger · Children's session
She comes prepared to deal with two stressed out parents, an eight year old who thinks it is play time, an over dramatic five year old and a three year old who doesn't listen! She magically captured all the fun we had that evening. She knows how to encourage you to be yourself, and takes the awkward out of family pictures!
Carry Klenke · Family session
Before you book
I shoot every outdoor session ninety minutes before sunset, because that's when the light is best. Sessions usually run 45 to 60 minutes. I can only shoot while there's natural light in the sky, so we'll want every minute we have before the sun goes down — please plan a buffer while you're getting ready and arrive a few minutes early.
Up to you, and open-air outdoor spaces are always best. This is the time to think outside the box — a private estate, a country club, a family ranch, a rooftop, a boat, even an airplane hangar. Someone in your network may have access to somewhere most people don't, and you never know until you ask. I also have great go-to locations around town if you'd rather I pick.
Have you been wanting an excuse for a romantic gown, a tulle skirt, or a flower crown? This is it. There's no such thing as too dressed up for a portrait session. A lot of my clients love Rent the Runway for an affordable way to feel like a million bucks. You can bring up to two outfits — save your favorite for the second half, and if you're only wearing one, arrive in it. Once you book, I'll send a PDF with much more on this.
Please do. Fresh flowers add a wow factor to almost anything, especially attached to something else — a bicycle basket, a tree swing, a picnic basket, balloons, a car bumper. Bigger pieces like a classic car or a bike work beautifully, and so do small ones like blankets and hats. Even one styled item makes a session feel like yours.
Newborn sessions are best within the first twelve days of life, so reach out while you're still expecting and I'll hold a window around your due date. I photograph newborns on weekday mornings in my home studio in Fairhope, and a typical session runs two to three hours. I provide everything, but you're welcome to bring anything that's special to you. For lifestyle newborn sessions in your home, baby can be up to a month old.
All my prices are all-inclusive — there are no extra fees. Everything listed is plus tax. I offer payment plans, so if that would help, just ask me about it.
Happily. Locations more than 10 miles from Fairhope add $2.50 per mile, and for anywhere further afield we'll talk through travel fees together.
Let's find your light
Fill this out and I'll come back within two business days with availability, full pricing, and a couple of location ideas.
Thank you
I'll come back to you within two business days with availability, full pricing, and a couple of location ideas. If you don't hear from me, check your spam folder or email me directly at monica.p.allen@gmail.com.
Hi, I'm Monica
I'm a mother of four amazing children who make me proud every day, and a follower of Christ. I love to travel, I love coffee, I love to sing, and I love a good laugh. I treasure my friendships and my family most of all.
I see the world as a photographer, and I'm always looking for new ways to turn a photo into art. Finding the best light, finding the right location, and catching the candid moments between people — that's the part I never get tired of. I'd love to capture your moments and help make something you'll treasure for a long time.
— Monica Pereira-Allen
In my bag
Canon R5 · Canon 5D Mark III · Canon 5D Mark IV · 35mm 1.4 · 50mm 1.4 · 85mm 1.8 · 24–70mm 2.8
Ready to plan a session? Get in touch
Investment
What you see is what you pay. Every price below is plus tax, and I offer payment plans — just ask and we'll set one up.
Deluxe family session
Up to 6 in the immediate family · 45–60 minutes · every edited file
$450
Lifestyle family session
Up to 6 in the immediate family · 2–3 hours of shooting, planned together beforehand
$600
Senior portraits
A full session built around your senior year · every edited file
$500
Mini session
Fairhope only · 20 minutes · 10 digital files
$300
Extra mini files are $15 each, or $450 for the full gallery. Minis can't be upgraded to a full session afterward.
Fresh 48, at the hospital
30 minutes · baby, parents, and siblings in the first days
$300
Posed newborn, in studio
2–3 hours · 20 files of your choice · twins add $75
$600
Posed newborn, in your home
I bring the whole studio to you
+$300
Lifestyle newborn, in your home
60–90 minutes · baby up to one month old
$500
Newborn mini, baby only
In studio · 1 hour · awake or asleep · 10 digital files
$400
Children & milestones, two months and up
In studio · 30 minutes · 10 digital files · sitting, crawling, first birthday
$300
Newborn sessions are best within the first twelve days. I photograph newborns on weekday mornings in my home studio in Fairhope.
Deluxe maternity
60–90 minutes · every edited file
$450
Mini maternity
40 minutes · 15 digital files
$350
Extra mini files are $15 each, or $250 for the full gallery. I keep an extended maternity wardrobe you're welcome to borrow from.
Headshots
20 minutes · one or two looks · 15 digital files
$300
Teams and small businesses are quoted per person — tell me how many of you there are and where you'd like to shoot, and I'll put a number together.
Mini maternity + full newborn
A 30-minute maternity session with 10 files, plus a full newborn session
$980
The whole first year
Mini maternity, full newborn, 6-month mini, and a full 12-month session
$1,850
Booked together, these save meaningfully over booking each session on its own.
My time and talent, a consultation before the session, and your high-resolution digital files by download within two to three weeks — anywhere from 30 to 60 images for a full session. You'll also get a print release, so you can print your photos whenever and wherever you like.
Locations more than 10 miles from Fairhope (36532) add $2.50 per mile. I'm happy to travel further afield, though travel fees will apply.
Questions about any of it? Send me a note
Portfolio
This set isn't up yet — ask me and I'll send you one to look through.
Want to see a full gallery from start to finish? Ask me for one