Today we’d like to introduce you to Allie Hamed.
Hi Allie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I honestly never expected photography to become my career. It started as a hobby while I was working as an HR coordinator, and I had no plans of leaving the corporate world. But then my church needed photographers, so I volunteered. I had a camera and a heart to serve, and I figured why not?
What I didn’t realize at the time was how much I’d fall in love with it. I started capturing events, then weddings, then families and small businesses and it snowballed from there. Eventually, I left HR and launched Lamb Photography.
Now, I get to do what I love full-time telling stories through weddings, family and lifestyle sessions, and branding work for both personal and small businesses. I love capturing people in their real, honest moments. It’s been a wild, unexpected journey, but I’m so grateful to be here.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road but I don’t think any good story ever is, right? Like so many others in the wedding and creative industry, COVID hit me hard. Events were postponed, canceled, or completely reimagined. I had to learn how to pivot, be flexible, and still show up for my clients in a season full of uncertainty. That time really pushed me to get creative, dig deep, and remember why I started.
Another challenge has been learning how to market myself in a way that connects with the kind of clients I truly want to serve. When you’re first starting out, you say yes to everything which is important for growth but it can also make it easy to lose sight of your own voice and vision. It took time (and lots of trial and error) to figure out how to speak directly to my dream clients the ones who value storytelling, connection, and timeless imagery and attract them in a way that feels true to me.
It’s been a journey of refining, evolving, and trusting the process. And while it hasn’t always been easy, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a documentary-style photographer specializing in weddings, family and lifestyle sessions, and branding for personal and small businesses. My approach is rooted in storytelling. I’m all about capturing the real, in-between moments that make a story feel alive. Whether it’s the quiet tears during a wedding ceremony, the chaos and cuddles of a young family, or the confidence of an entrepreneur showing up for their brand, I aim to preserve the heart behind every season.
People often tell me they feel comfortable and seen in front of my camera, which is the biggest compliment I could ever get. I’m not here to over-pose or stage perfection. I’m here to capture honest, beautiful moments that feel like you. I think what sets me apart is the experience I give my clients: calm, encouraging, and intentional. I genuinely care about the people I work with and aim to build relationships, not just take pretty pictures.
One thing I’m most proud of is being able to grow a business that reflects who I am and serves people in a meaningful way. Getting to do this full-time telling stories, building trust, and documenting love in all its forms is such a gift.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve never thought of myself as a big risk-taker in the traditional sense but when I look back, I’ve definitely taken some meaningful leaps. One of the biggest was leaving my corporate job in HR to pursue photography full-time. That was scary. I didn’t have a roadmap, just a passion and a growing belief that I could actually make it work.
Another risk has been learning to say no to work that doesn’t align with my heart or my brand. In the beginning, I said yes to everything because I was building momentum. But over time, I realized the importance of creating space for the kind of clients and stories I feel most connected to people who value authenticity, emotion, and timeless imagery.
I think risk doesn’t always look wild or dramatic. Sometimes it’s just trusting yourself in the quiet moments investing in your growth, honoring your vision, and being willing to grow through discomfort. For me, that’s where the biggest reward has been.
Pricing:
- Wedding Photography Collections Begin at $4,200
- Lifestyle & Family Sessions Start at $650
- Branding Photography (for personal brands & small businesses) Start at $850
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lamb.photography
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamb_photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lambcleveland
