Our story started in the year 2000 in the unlikeliest of places. Believe it or not we actually met in the Men's restroom at JJ's High school! I was a freshman visiting his school for a choir concert. Finding the line into the women's restroom was far too long for only a five-minute break, I took a chance, broke a rule and went into the Men's room and that's where fate found us.
For the next 3 years, we were almost inseparable and a month after graduating High school, we were married. It wasn't necessarily a popular decision amongst our family, but we did it anyway.
After being married for a few years, we welcomed our first child, a boy (Collin) followed by our only girl (Reese) and then by our baby (Dax). We count our Children as our greatest blessing.
In 2012 we packed 7 suitcases and moved from Utah to Hawaii to care for JJ's Father, who had been diagnosed with A.L.S. earlier that year. We were full-time care-givers until he passed 3 months later. Moving meant leaving our previous careers behind. We had always dreamt of working in a field where our artistic and creative passions could run free. Hawaii served as the perfect location.
In 2014 we started Palms & Lace Photo and it Quickly developed into a full-time career that we love.In 2021 we made the decision to split time between Hawaii and Utah. Our vision of scaling our business to offer services outside of Hawaii had brought us to a point where this was a necessity. It may not be a conventional way of living, but we quite enjoy it.
From the first moment I first met her I knew there was something different about Alison - I mean after all, I did meet her in the Men's bathroom. Girls this pretty aren't usually as funny, humble and down to earth as she is. She truly is one in a million, a unicorn, if you will.From an early age her biggest aspiration in life was first and foremost to be a good Mom, and she certainly has achieved that. Her kindness and patience is truly remarkable. Her love for our children inspires me each day. Beyond being a mother some of Alison’s favorite things include: exercising, shopping, baking, traveling, laying in the sun and diet Coke.Alison is an exceptionally hard worker and a great leader. Before Photography she excelled in retail management as a store manager for Express and David's Bridal and she has been a licensed cosmetologist for the last 18 years. Her dedication to customer satisfaction has helped her to become successful as a Wedding Photographer. She is intelligent, thoughtful, kind, optimistic, loyal and dependable. She's exactly the kind of person every Bride needs in their corner on their wedding day.
His real name is Jonathan James but once you meet him, you'll understand why that name is just far too formal for him. I'm pretty convinced JJ could have a good time at an insurance seminar. He's up-beat, fun-loving, and charismatic. He's for sure a people person, every place we go somebody knows him (it's kind of annoying lol). Even though he might look big and burly, he's really just a teddy bear with a soft heart.
In his free time, JJ likes to fish, hike, surf, lift weights and most of all, spend time with the kids. He's what some might call an "old soul'' he loves listening to old vinyl records, shooting film on his collection of old 35mm cameras, stopping at every yard sale in town, and always taking the slow but scenic route. JJ loves all things art, he's creative and sees the world as one big canvas. One of his art professors described him as the most ''right-brained'' person he'd ever met. Don't worry though, he does have organization skills (although he still can't seem to figure out where the dirty clothes go).
The last thing I will say about JJ is he is 100% dedicated to his work. Wedding photography isn't just a job to him, it's his passion. He considers it to be his calling (well, that and also Dad jokes).
