Documentary Lifestyle Family Photographer | Sound Roots Photography

Hi, I'm Ali, Lifestyle Family Photographer in the Heart of West Seattle


I'm the photographer and owner of Sound Roots Photography, where I specialize in newborn, maternity, and family photo sessions within West Seattle, Burien, and the South Sound area.


A workspace setup with a laptop decorated with stickers, camera, and water bottle on a textured beige background.

I'm Experienced and Highly Rated


550+ Sessions

115+ Repeat Clients

40+ Five Star Reviews on Google


But Numbers Aren't Everything!


Those don't matter to me as much as the one person reading this right now...YOU!

I care deeply about you. Your stories, your memories. My process puts YOU front and center and prioritizes what's important to you.

These photos are not for me... they are for YOU, your kids, and your family...now and in the future.

A photographer captures content in a modern kitchen with dark cabinets while people gather at a white countertop island.
People take photos on a wooden pier overlooking a coastal bay on a cloudy afternoon.
Friends gather in a bright living room around a wooden coffee table for casual conversation and refreshments.
Photographer with red hair sits on driftwood log by waterfront holding professional camera in winter attire.

Why Sound Roots Photography?


Twelve years ago, I traded the sunny skies of California for the lush landscapes of West Seattle. Now, alongside a union electrician husband, a twelve-year-old son, an eight-year-old daughter, I've found my rhythm and roots. I started a blog back before kids about our family and home remodel and had named it Growing Sound Roots. I loved the name so much since it is a play on words with Puget Sound and sound, meaning reliable, sturdy, and well. The roots part is to convey a deep sense of family ties and ties to our location. These are all big themes within my photography so I kept the parts that made the most sense.

A person sits at a white desk with computer displaying video meeting while photos hang on wall above workspace.

What Motivates Me To Create?


My generic answer is my kids and going on adventures to new places, yet my truest answer is to preserve memories. We have a history of dementia in my family and it moves me to create long lasting memories for my family, myself, and now for other families. I also create as a recovering high acheiver that always did things just for grades or societal approval and missed out on a lot of cool creative opportunities because they got hard or messy. Turns out Mr. Abele in my high school photography class was right...I should have stayed in his class instead of dropping it for leadership (the easier A)!

I Totally Relate To You!


I know what it's like to:

  • have kids who don't cooperate for photos
  • have a partner who isn't thrilled with the idea of photo sessions
  • be disappointed in phone photos I was getting of my sweet baby
  • be the one always behind the camera and without evidence that "I too was there"
  • stress that my home is not photo ready (And I SO regret skipping newborn photos just because we were in the thick of a remodel!)
  • not know what to wear for photos (That's why I have an online stylist for all my clients!)
  • have other photographer's pose my extended family in weird combinations that don't make sense (which is why I am extra thoughtful during extended family sessions and when working with large groups).


My past life as an elementary school educator, especially the many years spent in Kindergarten, equipped me with the ability to engage young children and families effortlessly during photo sessions. My years coaching teachers and teaching professional development strengthened my ability to work with adults and really hone in on helping your strengths shine!


Group standing together with skateboards and bikes in a parking lot wearing protective gear.
A group of four people standing together with skateboards and a bicycle in a black and white photograph.
Black and white photo shows someone smiling while holding a coffee mug and enjoying a cozy moment indoors.
Person wearing a mask photographs a gray cat resting on a white bed with neutral bedding and pillows.

Stiff, Stuffy Posed Photos-> Real, Relaxed, Fun Photos


All you have to do during a photo session with me is kick back, relax, and let me preserve your stories as I see them. It might be cliche to say, "the days are long and the years are short," but also...it's so true! I believe that creating memories together while a trained professional pulls out the stories, connection, light, and love is one of the most important things we can do for our families and for ourselves.

What Seattle Families are Saying

What Seattle Families are Saying

“Ali brings so much joy to what she does, and does so well with my kiddos. Working with her we actually had fun during our family photos--very organic experience. Not only that, she has taken wonderful photos that capture our relationships, laughter, and a moment of my kids' childhoods.”

Close up portrait of a smiling person with auburn hair wearing a green top against a light background.

The Essential Five

To know my business is to know these things:


1. I create high quality images in a playful, relaxed, flexible way with quality time for you together.

2. I have systems to make your life easier. Communication with me is simple and easy.

3. I am go with the flow, yet am comfortable directing those that need some direction.

4. I'm drawn to light and shadows and storytelling. Each session is therefore unique to you and me.

5. My Clients are my village and I am theirs. You get sick, I've got your soup. You need something from PCC, I'll pick it up for you.

The Fun Five

To know me is to know these things:


1. Avocados and Guacamole are my favorites with an oakey buttery Chardonnay close behind.

2. If asked to choose a river, a lake, or the ocean...I choose the pool.

3. I am an underbuyer and a minimalist wannabe.

4. I am obsessed with traditions and bucket lists. Blueberry picking under Mt. Si and the polar bear plunge on Alki among favorites.

5. My Love Language is Quality Time, my Gretchen Rubin Tendency is an Upholder, and I'm an Enneagram 7.

Familes

Newborns

Seniors

Branding

Year in the Life

Minis

Familes

Newborns

Seniors

Branding

Year in the Life

Minis

Find out more
A happy family snuggles together on a bed while looking at a mobile device and laughing.

You deserve to have beautiful memories of your family in this phase of your life regardless of what clutter may lie around your house. You can stay in your home, yard, on your porch, or visit a favorite nearby location.

A brown and white dog plays with a soccer ball alongside someone wearing a yellow jacket in a backyard.

Familes

Newborns

Seniors

Branding

Year in the Life

Minis

find out more
A collection of children's books displayed on floating wall shelves with various colorful covers and titles.

No need to stress about packing up your diaper bag and all the things for baby and mama...I come to you and follow along with whatever schedule you and baby are on. Need to feed? No problem. Diaper change? It's such a sweet memory of a super fleeting phase of life.

A peacefully sleeping newborn baby wearing a brown onesie lies with arms raised against white bedding.

Familes

Newborns

Seniors

Branding

Year in the Life

Minis

find out more
A person in a black hoodie sits on driftwood at a rocky beach with a pier and waterfront in the background during sunset.

Every teen has a unique spark. No need to conform to some prescribed Pinterest like vibe for your senior portraits. These photos are about you being totally and completely Y-O-U! We will have so much fun. You can let down your guard. A photo session with me is like a walk in the park with your new bestie.

A carefree person in a blue dress walks along a nature path while smiling.

Familes

Newborns

Seniors

Branding

Year in the Life

Minis

find out more
Hands wearing white gloves prepare clay or dough on a blue crafting mat labeled CraftLab.

Your brand is more than a logo—it’s you: your passion, your process, and the purpose that drives your work. At Sound Roots Photography, we create personal branding sessions that go beyond headshots to tell the full story of your business with authenticity and heart. Whether you're an artist, coach, maker, or entrepreneur, we’ll capture you in your element—working, connecting, creating—so you have a library of images that truly reflect who you are and what you offer. This portfolio highlights local women showing up boldly and beautifully in their business journeys.

Home office scene with laptop, potted plants and gallery wall of framed artwork on white wall above wooden desk.

Familes

Newborns

Seniors

Branding

Year in the Life

Minis

find out more
Two people explore underneath a dark wooden pier or dock structure on a moody overcast day.

Scrap the posed inauthentic and awkward photos. Add to your selfies with beautiful images that prove "you were there too". Block off four intentional times a year to document y'all being you and spending quality time together.

Two people enjoy paddle boarding on a calm lake surrounded by evergreen trees on a sunny summer day.

Familes

Newborns

Seniors

Branding

Year in the Life

Minis

Find Out More
Two young children in white and black shirts sit together in tall grass, sharing a close moment and smiling.

Adventure together. Seasonal mini sessions.

Two figures stand together in a field of tall blooming sunflowers on an overcast day.