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.

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.




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.

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!




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

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.