Local Artist Profile: Photographer Allison English Watkins

Allison English Watkins, Master Photographer, Craftsman, Certified Professional Photographer and founder of English Photography has won countless local, regional, national and international awards for her images and has been published in books and magazines. Recently, she received Professional Photographers of America National Award presented for meritorious contributions to professional photography — basically a lifetime achievement award for service to the industry and her fellow professional photographers.

Allison was born and raised in Utah. She appreciates and utilizes the natural beauty surrounding her. “Combining the natural beauty around us with the beauty of our family is to create our own personal visual masterpiece.”

Her passion for photography began in high school, honed by her work for the yearbook and early demand from classmates. “My senior year kids asked me to photograph them and their siblings for presents for their parents. Many of these early portraits were on Black and White film and developed and printed them in my high school darkroom. Photographing people is my passion. Taking the time to make people feel seen and beautiful can change a life.”

She photographed her first wedding 24 years ago at the age of 17 without ever having been to a wedding or knowing the routines and focused on weddings for the next 7 years. “In Utah, weddings happen every day of the week so this kept me very busy.”

After working for two of Salt Lake's finest portrait studios, Allison started her own family and focused her energy on growing her own business. “After the birth of my second child I stepped away from weddings and focused on portraiture instead. Now I am back to photographing a handful of Park City weddings but focus mostly on family portraits.” 

The tagline on Allison's website “Your Family As Fine Art" emphasizes her belief in the importance of using photography to create a permanent visual masterpiece. “Our youth take more photos of themselves than any other generation in history, but none of it lasts because of the impermanence of social media. Some social workers suggest displaying family portraits prominently in the home sends the message that our family, and those in it, are important to one another and we honor the experiences we have together.”

To browse Allison's galleries and learn more about her philosophy go to her website: englishphoto.com