Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Sumsion.
Hi Ali, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I didn’t set out to become a photographer. It happened slowly and very naturally. I’ve always been the person with a camera in my hand, documenting my kids, our everyday moments, and the people around me. I loved the way a photo could hold a feeling, especially those small, in-between moments most people overlook. What started as a creative outlet gradually grew as friends asked me to photograph their families, then friends of friends, and before I knew it, something that began as a hobby became a real business.
From the very beginning, what I’ve loved most is helping people feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera. So many women tell me they’re awkward or not photogenic, and then leave their session saying they felt beautiful and relaxed. That shift, seeing someone light up and recognize their own beauty, is one of the reasons I fell so deeply in love with photography.
As my work grew, I started photographing more families, seniors, and intimate boudoir portraits for women, and it became so clear that this is where I’m meant to be. I love capturing connection and documenting people in seasons they’ll want to remember forever. Photographing vacationing families in Salt Lake City and Park City has become a special part of my business too. I get to meet people from all over the country and give them a beautiful way to remember their time in Utah’s mountains.
Somewhere along the way, my photography naturally expanded into working with brands and businesses. It started simply: small shops, new entrepreneurs, and women starting their own ventures asking me if I could photograph their products or create content for them. I found that I loved it just as much as photographing portraits. There is something really fun about helping someone visually bring their brand to life, whether it’s product images, lifestyle content, or capturing the energy of a business. That side of my work grew quickly, and today I photograph everything from small businesses to full commercial projects, as well as creating all the content for my own activewear brand and for my husbands sign company.
In 2024, we built a beautiful natural-light studio behind our home, which completely transformed how I work. It gave me a peaceful, private space to photograph portraits, branding sessions, and creative projects year-round, and it also streamlined the commercial side of my business. Now I can offer businesses polished, cohesive images without worrying about weather or lighting, and clients love the experience of shooting in a comfortable, curated space.
Looking back, I can see that this career grew out of the simplest place: loving people, noticing beauty in everyday moments, and wanting to document life. I’m incredibly grateful that something so personal and intuitive became my full-time work. Photography has brought me the most amazing clients, meaningful collaborations, lifelong friendships, and a creative life I truly love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As someone with ADHD, I have struggled for years with the parts of running a business that do not come naturally to creative people. I love photographing people and creating beautiful images, but the behind-the-scenes work, the organization, the deadlines, and the follow-through often felt overwhelming.
It took a lot of therapy, research, and personal trial and error to understand how my brain actually works. I had to learn to build systems that support me rather than trying to fit myself into a structure that was never designed for the way I think. Simple things like checklists, automated workflows, reminders, and prioritizing tasks in small steps have made a massive difference. Instead of feeling like I am failing at being organized, I finally have tools that help me stay on track.
Medication has also helped me tremendously. I resisted it for years because of the stigma and because I thought I should be able to manage everything on my own. In the end, getting diagnosed and prescribed medication was one of the best things I have ever done for myself and for my business. It gave me clarity, calm, and the ability to follow through on all the things I used to avoid or forget. I wish I had allowed myself to explore that option sooner.
Even with these challenges, the process has made me a stronger business owner. It has made me more compassionate toward myself and my clients, more patient, and more intentional. I have learned that creativity and structure can coexist, and that it is completely possible to build a successful career even when your brain works differently. If anything, my ADHD has pushed me to be more resourceful, more thoughtful, and more determined than ever.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a family and portrait photographer based in Salt Lake City, and I specialize in creating images that feel natural. I work with women, families, seniors, brands, and vacationing families who are visiting Utah and want to document their time in the mountains. My clients often tell me that I have a calming presence and that I make the experience feel easy and fun, even for people who normally feel awkward in front of the camera. Helping people feel confident is one of my favorite parts of what I do.
I am known for true-to-color editing, natural posing, and creating an experience where people can relax and actually enjoy their session. I am also proud that I can work with large families without it feeling chaotic. I love the challenge of bringing out genuine moments and giving each person a chance to shine.
Along with family photography, I also photograph brands and small businesses. I love helping entrepreneurs bring their vision to life through clean, elevated product imagery and lifestyle content. My natural-light studio has allowed me to offer consistent, polished branding sessions year-round, and it has been a huge part of expanding my work in a really meaningful way.
What sets me apart is the way I blend creativity with intention. I truly care about how people feel during the session. I know how vulnerable it can be to be in front of a camera, so my approach is always centered around making people comfortable and confident. I am patient, I read people well, and I know how to guide without making anyone feel posed or stiff. I think that is why my images feel warm, real, and authentic.
What I am most proud of is the trust people place in me. I get to document major life moments, family trips, milestones, and seasons people want to remember forever. It means a lot to me that clients come back year after year and recommend me to their friends and families. Photography has become such a meaningful way for me to connect with people, and I feel grateful every day that this is my work.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was an extremely shy and sensitive kid. I experienced some bullying in elementary school, and because of that I often struggled to connect with other kids. I was the quiet one who preferred observing rather than being the center of attention. Art became my safe place. I spent most of my childhood reading, writing and drawing. Creative expression was where I felt the most confident and understood. I even took a photography class in high school, although I did not start my photography business until my twenties.
I have always loved animals, and I kept a very small but very close circle of friends. One of the closest was my sister, who is only 20 months younger than me. We grew up as best friends, and she was the person I felt completely myself with. That bond taught me a lot about connection and trust, which I think influences the way I photograph people today.
Pricing:
- Full family session $425
- Headshot session $200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alisumsionphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisumsion/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556175698265
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-sumsion
