Photography, for Ali, is an act of presence and gratitude.

Drawn especially to the moon and celestial events, her photo adventures are opportunities to quiet the distractions of everyday life, look up, and simply be present for what the universe is offering. Whether witnessing the moon rising over the horizon, the fleeting light of an eclipse, a sunrise, or the rare appearance of the aurora, there is both awe in the experience and gratitude for having been there to witness it.

The photographs that come home with her are souvenirs of those moments. Through editing, an art form and experience in itself, Ali gets to return to that sense of awe, discovering details and emotions within an image that allow her to experience the moment all over again.

An award-winning and published photographer, Ali once measured a successful photo adventure largely by the images she brought home. Today, the experience itself is enough. Being intentional about where she goes, what she seeks out, and what she gives her attention to has made photography a way of becoming fully present in the world around her.

When she shares an image, Ali hopes viewers might see some of what she saw and, more importantly, feel something of what she felt, but the experience ultimately belongs to them. The same photograph that holds one memory for her may evoke something entirely different for someone else. That's part of its magic.

A lifelong student, Ali continues to learn, explore, and experiment with photography, not simply in pursuit of a better image, but of the next experience that makes her stop, look up, and give thanks to the universe for being there to see it.

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