My name is Alanna, and I am so happy you stopped by!
Here are ten quirky facts about me:
I consider myself a Vermonter.
Okay, so I grew up in Massachusetts. Born and raised in western MA: home to the Big E, the Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Yankee Candle Flagship Store. But I grew up going to Vermont in the summers and spent ten years of my adult life living there, so I consider myself a Vermonter through and through. Except the part of me that considers itself Irish…
I live in Galway, Ireland.
And I am very, very proud of my Irish heritage! I live and breathe all things Ireland. In 2013, I came to Ireland on a three month solo trip, and officially became the annoying girl who starts half my conversations with "Well, I noticed that in Ireland..." I have continued to be that girl, as I went back in 2017 for another three months and in 2018 on a one year working visa! I am back in Galway now, working for a government body while pursuing a second Master’s degree and writing a book. I have stayed in every county in Ireland and I consider it the most beautiful, friendly country… I have even published a travel book of photos from my time traveling on this gorgeous island. I love living here and I am in the process of applying for Irish citizenship so I can stay here permanently.
I collect Christmas tree ornaments...
I love Christmas and I love Christmas trees. Years ago, I started collecting a Christmas tree ornament from every trip I would take, every special event in my life. I got one when I was a bridesmaid in my best friends wedding, I have about 100 from when I was in Ireland... I just love being able to take them out each year and remember that special time in my life.
...I also collect tattoos.
You would never know it to look at me, but I have tattoos. Seven. And I regret five of them. So basically, I am a perfect cautionary tale if you have teenagers you want to scare!
I send out yearly Christmas cards... with Ben Affleck.
A few years ago, I had some news I wanted to share with friends, and decided to send out a Christmas card to do so. I popped a picture of myself on the front... stared at a few minutes... and realized it needed something. I googled photos of Ben Affleck in a tux, and boom, a tradition was born. Our relationship has evolved from hiking on the Isle of Skye in Scotland to getting engaged on the shores of Lake Champlain to getting married in Lake Como in Italy. We have four kids now! It's my response to my mom’s constant pressure to get married and have babies already... but it's also because Ben and I are madly in love. Duh.
I have a niece and a nephew who I adore.
In 2011, I became an aunt, and every moment since then has been better because of the existence of these two amazing humans. Juliana is nine and Callen is seven, and I am borderline obsessed with them both. Seeing the way they interact with the world and being able to teach them new things is just the best feeling, and I can't imagine my life without them.
The Brimfield Antique Fair is my paradise.
Literally, give me fields upon fields of amazing antiques that I don't actually need but have to have anyways and I am in heaven. I go every year with my photographer friend Erica, and together we made the investment to buy a cart to haul our goodies. And that cart is probably the biggest commitment I have ever made to another person. It's like a child to us. I think we named it, but I can't remember what the name is. Oh god, I am a horrible parent.
I keep my journal in my purse at all times.
I am absolutely obsessed with writing, and for years I have kept my journal with me at all times. It’s such a good way to get my thoughts out… ya know, a different and probably more productive way than posting on Facebook all the time… which I am trying to get away from!
I speak in movie and TV quotes.
I quote Schitts Creek, The Office, and about 400 different movies in a given day. It's strange, because I haven't had cable in years and will watch maybe one movie a week, but I retain that stuff like no one's business and I love pulling it out of the archives to make people laugh. I can recite entire scenes from movies like Friday or Ace Ventura or Clue... all the classics :)
I love photography and I would love to photograph your special event.
I can't believe it, but I have been doing this for about 15 years now. At times, I have been a full time photographer, and at times, like now, it has been a side business while I pursued other dreams. The one constant in that time has been that I have loved photography every step of the way. To be able to document my life this way has taught me so much about who I am, where I've been, and where I want to go. To be able to document your lives and your precious moments has been the greatest gift of trust and love I could ever imagine. I love doing this "job" and would love to get to know you, your families, and what makes your lives special.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. It's nice to meet you.
