Hi!

I’m Al (she/her). Welcome to Reflecting Light—a space where I write about my journey with photography, sharing parts of my life and personal mythology.

The title of this publication comes from a Sam Phillips song. It never fails to make me misty-eyed.

Now that I've worn out
I've worn out the world
I'm on my knees in fascination
Looking through the night
And the moon's never seen me before
But I'm reflecting light

— “Reflecting Light” by Sam Phillips

Falling in love with film photography

While I experimented with photography throughout my early twenties, it wasn’t until my husband, Will (you’ll see his name and face here a lot), helped me buy my first film camera that I truly fell in love with the medium. Though I’ve learned a thing or two in the years since then, I still consider myself a beginner: every roll of film I shoot feels just as magical (and sometimes unpredictable) as the first.

On writing and photography

I often struggle with being a person in the world, but writing and photography help me feel more grounded and connected. I’m grateful for their insistence that I pay attention to the subtle things around me, like the way, if you’re patient, you can watch a beam of sun slowly move across a room. I hope what I share adds a little light to your life, as writing and photography do to mine.

Why subscribe?

Flowers, cats, love, nature, wonder, colors, stillness, light.

What cameras do I use?

I use a variety of cameras, including a Minolta Autocord, a Polaroid Automatic 250 Land Camera, an Olympus XA, a Nikon FM2, and a vintage Polaroid SX-70 that I found in a closet at my grandmother’s house.

My camera of choice is a Mamiya RB67. She is hefty, and I love her for that.

Something to keep in mind

Reflecting Light is free to read. If you enjoy this publication and want to contribute to it monetarily, you can buy me a coffee to show your support.

To see more photos, please visit my website. ✨