about the artist:

My name is Alyssa Hennessy. Most people call me 'Aly' but I've been trying to shake that for the last 10 years.

I love photography... everything about it. I photographed my first professional wedding when I was 18 years old and charged $25 for it. I did a horrible job - but I had a blast - and the couple thought the photos were wonderful. Since then I've photographed sold-out Faith Hill concerts and house fire victims - and everything in between. I got my start working at NBC and moonlighting as a photo lab technician. Then, on September 11th something bad happened to my nation and I happened to have a camera with me. I won a few awards for the photos I took that day. I learned more about photography while sharing coffee with Pulitzer Prize winning photographer and his best friend. Our Thursday afternoons filled me with more photographic knowledge than any book could have (but I still read the books...).

I always wanted to be an artist, but I never expected to make money doing it. So, I went to school to be a Christian Counselor. Then, after 5 years of college I realized that I worry too much about the people who confide in me. But, somewhere along the way, I learned that my photos seem to make people smile - And I love to make people smile. I think that being a photographer is a better way for me to help people feel good about themselves. Life is so short - and I believe that every minute of every day deserves to be remembered and recorded. I like to help people do that.

Here are a few interesting things about me:

• I actually adore my husband. Not many wives will admit that.
• I have two little boys and they turn my world upside down everyday.
• I LOVE avocados.
• I ran a marathon one time.
• I grew up in California - but never considered myself to be a California girl until I left.
• I'm writing a book.
• I enjoy meeting unique people.
• I survived Stage 4 Lymphoma.
• I laugh often and loudly.
• I am growing my first garden and love digging my hands into the earth.
  
• I liked to crochet before it was cool.
  
• I have two big dogs.
  
• I drink a lot of coffee.

You can look me up on myspace.
www.myspace.com/alyssahennessy