About

Welcome to my website.  I hope you'll have a good look around because there's plenty to see.

I'm an award-winning professional photographer based in Castlebar, County Mayo.  

I chronicle life around me in pictures and I couldn't have chosen a better place to live than the west of Ireland.  Its rich cultural heritage and the intriguing and varied character of the people are reflected in the faces all around me.  I love to take photographs of people and strive to capture something real about them in the shot, rather than the often self-conscious smile most of us use to greet the camera.

I enjoy taking a variety of pictures, I suppose you could say I specialise in not specialising.  But then life is varied and complex and my work reflects that.  I  might capture the crinkled expression on the face of a new born baby one day and travel with the Mountain Rescue Helicopter, to tell a different story the next.  I enjoy all of it.

Photography is a mix of science and art and to me the most important ingredient is imagination.  Whatever my assignment, I try to get the best possible picture I can for my client and for myself.  I have been taking photographs for a long time and I know how to approach each scenario, and how to make people relax for the best possible results.

Some areas I cover are: Commercial photography, Event photography, Weddings and Civil Partnerships, Portraiture, Birthdays and Special Occassions and Commissions of all sorts.

Below are some of the comments I have had from my clients:

“Many thanks for your wonderful photos. We really appreciate your talent.” 
Yvonne

 “Seeing the wonderful photographs I am reminded why I chose you for this job! Alison these are top class.”
Declan

 “We absolutely love them! You captured us, and our whole day, in a very special and unique way. We can't thank you enough. Thank you for making our day extra special and amazing; I knew I chose the right photographer!“ 
Sheila and Michael 

“Oh my god Alison! What joy and pain you brought for me this morning!!! Your pictures are amazing and how I wish I was there! You are so great at capturing the essence of these incredible people and places.” 
Paul 

“Alison your work is absolutely amazing. Thanks so much for all of your help. We've had a totally mad week and you have been brilliant.”
Neans

"You tend to capture the feeling of the occasion and the dignity and joy of each person in your photos that others can't. Like I said, you don't take pictures but capture icons and each one tells an inner story and thank you so much for being with us on that special day."
John 

“Massive thanks to you for the enormous day's work you put in taking our wedding photographs so beautifully. We are amazed and delighted with them and will recommend you every chance we get” 
Azura and Edward 

“You have spoilt me now and I couldn't possibly go to anyone else. As u can imagine I've seen a lot of publicity photos over the years, but nothing tops or even comes close to yours. You have a certain je ne se qua! Xx” 
Christo   

It was a pleasure to have Alison in our home. It's very easy to take a photo but capturing a moment is an entirely different matter and this is where Alison's gift lies.

She goes about her work quietly and gently and has given us pictures we will treasure for a lifetime. Thank you Alison Laredo, I cant recommend you highly enough!

Ger Devaney