Hi, I’m Ally - photographer, storyteller, and jack of all trades.
I believe that being seen — truly seen — is one of the most powerful gifts we can receive. That’s at the heart of why I do this work.
Photo by Aerynn Yvonne Photography
Whether I'm photographing your family, your creative work, or a milestone moment in your life, I’m here to create images that reflect your story with honesty, artistry, and care. While yes! we will take beautiful photos, a photography experience that goes above and beyond is a place where you feel comfortable, confident, and deeply yourself.
914.355.6827 || ALLY.GUTEKUNST@GMAIL.COM || PRONOUNS: SHE/HER
I’m a media artist with a background in photography, video production, and traditional art. With a name like Gutekunst (meaning “good art” in German) I take my heritage seriously! I hold a degree in Media Arts and Studies and I’m currently based out of Olive, NY in the mid-Hudson Valley and the Catskills. I will travel to Westchester, NY and NYC, as well as around the globe. I travel abroad extensively and volunteer my video and photo expertise for passion projects I care about.
My Shooting Style
My clients often appreciate my warm, engaging, and dynamic approach to direction. I love to get to know you and learn your unique story before the shoot starts.
If you haven’t posed for a camera before, I am always happy to model poses for you and make sure you look good. I also welcome any and all creative ideas - co-creation is magic! I’m looking for the small details that will make your shots amazing.
Whether we're capturing your work, your people, or a moment that matters, I meet you where you are. Quiet and camera-shy? I’ll help you feel at ease. Activated and ready to go? I’m with you. I excel with young, active toddlers and will get them moving and grooving within minutes of our shoot. I’m very pet friendly and have 20+ years experience with horses and always have dogs and cats around. They’re more than welcome at our shoot.
“Ally was extremely kind and patient during our photo shoot. She was great with Charlie and Gus, who can be a bit wiggly spirited. We appreciated her willingness to spend some extra time with us too.”
— Charlene (October 2023)
Client Love
“Working with Allison for our family photos was a great experience. She helped us identify a few places in our home where we should take pictures and coached us through capturing key moments together as a family. We read books, made pancakes, and played in the yard, all of which are the small family moments that are so important. She helped us feel comfortable and natural in what could have been an awkward or artificial situation. We're so glad to have had her help in capturing this time for our family.”
— Mike (October 2025)
“Ally is friendly, professional, and extremely talented at her craft. The weather turned cloudier than we had hoped for our shoot but Ally kept us in great spirits. She occasionally guided us without posing us too much, instead allowing us to move organically and capturing moments at just the right time. And our dog loved her. Her turnaround for the photos was incredibly swift and she was respectful of our boundaries with a digital footprint. We’re so grateful to have found her as the photographer who captured our first photos as a new family! Would highly recommend to anyone!
— Geetika (October 2025)
“Ally was so pleasant and so professional. Had good ideas, and also listened to what we wanted. We love our photos. Beware that shooting with Ally may lead to wanting to buy them all!”
— Erin (September 2025)
What I’ve Achieved
42 Photo sessions in 2025
3 Long-term volunteer pro-bono projects since 2021 (permaculture, regeneration, wellness and mindfulness, crowdfunding, and community living)
Artist in residence, Krumville Schoolhouse (July 2023 - Current)
Showcases fine art photography prints at markets 1-2x a year
Published - United Nations SDG Action Campaign in 2015
Interviewed youth, NGOs, and global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly, 2015