Hi there, cuties! As many of you know, I am obsessed with connecting and working with fellow female creative entrepreneurs, and even more so when I get to do it out East in Southampton! Enter the amazing Alison Stager! Alison is a Hamptons- and Palm Beach-based fine art photographer whom I absolutely adore (check her out on IG as well at @AlisonStagerPhotog).
Here’s the short story on Alison Stager and her business: She grew up in a small Connecticut town and went to undergrad at the University of Florida in Gainesville, and then moved to New York City in her 20s where she began her career in advertising sales and media marketing. All the while, she’d been an avid photographer and friends had always encouraged her to pursue it.
“I love telling the story about how I got started and how my business came to be because it shows the power of hard work, stretching beyond your limits, and never giving up. In many ways I see it as the true entrepreneurial American dream.” –Alison Stager
In the summer of 2011, after contemplating for many years about making photography her full-time job, Alison made plans to show her work at an art fair in Sag Harbor–which ultimately ended up being pivotal in her decision to pursue her creative ambitions. Around the same time period, she also continued in perfecting her craft by enrolling in classes at New York’s prestigious International Center of Photography (ICP).
And now, today Alison Stager Photography is a collection of fine art framed photography featuring landscape and seascape images from the Hamptons, Palm Beach, Caribbean, France, and the Amalfi Coast.
Earlier this summer, we hosted a super-fun art event in-store in Southampton with Alison where we had the pleasure of getting to see her dreamy photos set against our KKH assortment. A match made in Hamptons heaven if you ask me!
Alison Stager’s gorgeous work in our KKH Southampton store. Click to shop!
Okay, first up, tell my Kuotes readers about your photography business. What are your specialties?
My work tends to emphasize color and intense positive emotion. Although I offer subdued natural tones and black and white, my signature is definitely bright, colorful, sparkling, and happy. My goal is to offer unique high quality artwork that is attainable and affordable that will always make you smile and live in your home for a lifetime.
Most recently, I launched a line of acrylic trays with images from my portfolio. They are the perfect gift for a host or for yourself. The trays can be used as a work of art to sit on a shelf, built-in, or ottoman. They can also be used to serve your favorite cocktails or breakfast in bed.
“Today more than ever, with so many choices of gifts and accessories for the home, I think people love the idea of something custom and personal. It’s a thank you that will last forever. I am excited to one day launch other options for the home including textiles, barware, and tabletop essentials.”
Alison’s fine part photography–“Southampton Solitude”
“Welcome to Eden,” Sag Harbor; taken at author John Steinbeck’s property.
I know you had a career in media sales and marketing before following your creative instincts and becoming a full-time professional photographer. I love this because it’s actually similar to my own founder story–tell me everything about how your path changed from the corporate world in NYC to the creative one out East!
From when I was a small child, I was always taking photos–and this was back in the day where there were no cell phone cameras, or cell phones for that matter! After moving to Manhattan, I began spending summers in the Hamptons on the East End of Long Island. I was so incredibly inspired by the beauty of the ocean, beaches, farms, fishing, boating, and local culture.
Most of all I was inspired by the light-light that is in my opinion, the most beautiful light I have ever seen. I call it the sweet light. I began taking photos regularly, and over the years I naturally found myself photographing more often and also spending more time out East to escape the hustle of the city.
“The Hamptons is such a magical place and iconic destination for people all around the world. It always amazed me how if someone who lived here full or part time, or someone simply visiting from afar wanted to purchase a beautiful piece of local framed photography, there really was no go-to place to purchase it.”
As the years passed I continued shooting and building quite the portfolio. One year in Sag Harbor I attended an outdoor arts and crafts fair. I would attend these fairs every year and started to contemplate one day giving it a try.
Alison in her element on the beach in the Hamptons.
Just look at the beautiful blue shades!
[In 2011], I rented a tent and bought some easels and folding table and on a sunny weekend in June I did my first art fair in Sag Harbor. When I was packing in my NYC apartment to leave for the weekend, I look up on my wall at a framed photograph that I had made for myself. It was the first custom framed piece I had ever invested in-it was framed at one of the most prestigious (and expensive!) fine art framers in NYC. I thought: “What the heck–I’m going to take it with me–maybe someone will buy it.”
On the first morning of the first day that I ever offered my work to the public, a woman came into my tent and pointed at the piece that came from my wall and said: “Can I bring this home today?”
“It took many years to finally walk away from traditional corporate America and really give it my all. It was the biggest risk I ever took, and the greatest decision I ever made.”
Then, I began to identify galleries and retail partners that were an appropriate alignment for my brand and price point. I would walk in and introduce myself, and often had framed work in the car in case there was a chance that someone was willing to take a look. I now sell my work at galleries, through retail partnerships at the store and e-commerce level, and through interior designers!
Alison’s “Main Beach Aqua,” East Hampton.
“Cosmos of the Atlantic,” Bridgehampton.
All of your pieces give me major wanderlust! How do you select your locations? And I’m sure it’s hard to choose, but do you have any faves?
I have so many favorite locations to photograph, not surprisingly the Hamptons is one of my favorite. I love the sunsets of Sag Harbor, and the waves of the Atlantic particularly at the smaller, private end of the road beaches in Sagaponack and East Hampton. Montauk has always had a special place in my heart. There is something about the rustic earthiness and stillness that still exists in the midst of this area that has certainly become more gentrified over the years.
There are still places to go in Montauk where you can sit next to a shirtless, sunburned fisherman who had just worked 14-hour day and in the other chair next to you is a city Wall Streeter with custom loafers and a freshly pressed shirt. In addition to the land and sea of the Hamptons, there is something about the local people that draws me in and fascinates me most.
“It’s funny, when ‘choosing’ where to photograph, it’s a lot like life in general. When you over-plan or look for something at the exact moment you want it, it often does not come. It is when you are living in the moment and doing what makes you happy that the perfect shot the perfect shot will appear.”
In addition to the Hamptons, I would say my favorite places to shoot is simply any place or moment that I feel a personal emotional connection. I have been especially touched by the streets of Paris, the fields of St. Tropez, and the hills and blue waters of the Amalfi Coast.
Now that I am living in Palm Beach when not in the Hamptons, I can promise you there will be lots to come from South Florida. When you see one of my photographs, my wish is that you can feel just a bit of the joy and emotion I was feeling when capturing the shot. That is everything to me.
Alison in action as she captures the “sweet light” in Sag Harbor.
How cute is Alison’s pup, Charlotte? Taken at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach.
The art event you did at KKH Southampton was one of my all-time favorite in-store events we’ve done! What was that like from your perspective?
The event in July was such a success and most of all, a lot of smiles and fun! The team at the store couldn’t be more friendly, supportive, and professional. There is something about the space of the store-from the moment you walk in you feel welcomed and hugged by positive energy and surrounded by the most elegant yet comfortable interiors and accessories. Once anyone gets to know you, Kathy, it doesn’t take long to realize that this is no coincidence. You and your team have carefully curated and planned every wall and corner of this space to create a little slice of design Heaven.
“There is an expression on the window of the store that says, “Love where you live.” I always feel the love when at KKH Southampton–and I love how everyone is always warm and welcoming to my little dog Charlotte Pearl who is also my favorite photo assistant!”
Kathy–you are beautiful on the outside, but on the inside is the true beauty of a woman of impeccable taste and style that I so admire and respect. A mother, a friend, an exceptional designer, and a successful and hard working entrepreneur that supports other women and emerging creative talents; it is a gift to know you.
Finally, I have to ask: Do you have any favorite pieces at KKH Southampton you have your eye on this summer?
As a photographer, I believe lighting is everything, whether in a photograph or in my home. My absolute favorites at the store are the two Palecek Everly Pendant lights hanging over the custom fireplace mantle.
The woven texture of natural materials bring coastal chic to a new level. There is something sophisticated yet comfortable and elegant that I love about these fixtures. And although they are coastal in theme, just like my art, I can see them in any home whether near or far to the beach. I always say, why not bring the ocean home with you?
Shop Alison Stager’s Coastal Favorites from KKH Southampton
