This image of me in front of a White Mountains Mobil station takes me right back to my childhood—and the song “Gold” by John Stewart only deepens the feeling. “My buddy Jim Bass he’s working pumping gas and he makes 2.50 for the hour.”
I was just a kid from New Hampshire, spending holidays at my grandparents’ place, listening to K-Tel tapes full of songs about California dreams. My grandpa owned a Mobil station, just like this one.
Back then, those lyrics made California feel like a faraway fantasy. Now, when I hear them, I’m transported not forward—but back. To simpler days, to a humble 70s life filled with wonder.
So surreal.
Bubbles Salon
I found heaven when I stumbled upon the Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum last week in Joshua Tree. It is the coolest museum!
Believe it or not, I brought rollers on my trip…not knowing if I would have a chance to wear them!
I highly recommend visiting them and the artists nextdoor. Such an inspiration me!
Truffle Chips - Facebook April 23 2026 Post
I had truffle fries tonight at Five Crowns in Corona del Mar. Whenever I have truffle oil I think of this truffle tribute shoot.
I shot it in the swamp next to the house I grew up in. It was about 5 years ago and it was the year I discovered these awesome truffle chips at the Hanover Co-Op.
I love that a delicious unique flavor can trigger memories and art.
Life is mysterious and unpredictable…but you always know that if you order anything with truffle oil, you will get delicious truffle oil.
@keoghsfarm #chameleonshoot #alicottonphoto #hanovercoopfoodstore #5crowns #selfportraitartist
Queen Mary - 2019
23 years in the making....The Midshipman Cover is from the Naval Academy Circa 1996.
85 years in the making....The Queen Mary was launched 1930.
Patience is needed when designing a photo shoot.
July 23 Post on Facebook - RIP Romaine Lettuce
I am removing posts on my Professional Facebook page and moving to my Blog. Fuck Facebook for telling me that they can steal my work. Please follow me here for some creative posts.
“RIP Romaine Lettuce”
I shot this a few years ago, during the romaine recalls. E. coli in the fields, bagged salad pulled nationwide, people scared of lettuce. So I staged a burial. I’m not foraging — I’m digging a grave for the diseased romaine in that basket. Getting it in the ground before it can hurt anyone else. A funeral for a vegetable, because that’s what it felt like at the time.
I still like this photo. Quiet pose, good light, no big statement on the surface. That was the point — protest art doesn’t have to shout.
It hits different now. The oversight that used to catch outbreaks like that before they spread is being gutted. Not hypothetically. Now.
RIP romaine lettuce.
RIP the assumption that our Govt cares to keep us safe from things like vegetable diarrhea
Mud Season
Mud Season.
I love this image more than ever. One of the last trips I took to visit my mom when she was alive. This was her killer yellow robe I remember her wearing on various Christmas mornings as my parents watched us opening gifts. The vacuum was my great Aunt’s incredible old vacuum she had at our family camp. I have no idea how it got back to our house and I do not want to analyze the germs inside.
But, I created this image of a frustrated housewife vaccuming up the mud in her driveway during the famous New England season called Mud Season.
I am so pleased to say I still own this muddy driveway. I still have mom’s yellow rob hanging in her old closet. I assume the old vacuum was discarded with much other stuff from the estate.
This…thing…called making art…makes me happy.
Summer 2025 Chameleon Shoot
This image has been floating in my head for weeks—today, it came to life just as I pictured it. Not much symbolism, just pure sunshine vibes: I’ve been loving my cold mask lately, finally got to enjoy our backyard, and my “Big Edie” hat made its debut. The fish pillow? A last-minute addition with a sweet backstory—my mom gave it to Fisher as a baby, and it’s been our special outdoor pillow ever since. Finally got to shoot with it. (Hope it dries out ok!)
Title: Mood
Lt. Eddie Jeremiah - USNR - Dartmouth Hockey Player and Coach
Time Traveling again - What a cool find. Lt. Eddie Jeremiah U.S.N.R. My Grandfather took this portrait at his studio.
History according to Wikipedia:
Edward Jeremiah joined the Dartmouth Indians in 1926 after graduating from Hebron Academy, where he was also a baseball star. As was standard practice, Jeremiah sat out his freshman year before playing for a powerhouse squad that went 25–11–5 in his time on the ice. In 1930, Jeremiah played summer baseball with the Osterville town team in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
After graduating Jeremiah joined the New Haven Eagles of the Canadian-American Hockey League, a precursor to the American Hockey League, spending part of three seasons with the team. Over the course of the 1931–32 season, Jeremiah played for four separate teams: the Eagles, the Boston Cubs (another CAHL team), the New York Americans and the Boston Bruins. In his 15 combined games between the two NHL teams Jeremiah recorded only one assist. After 1933 Jeremiah bounced around between various minor league clubs before ending his playing days in 1935.
He served three years in World War 2.
Dragonfly
"DRAGONFLY" 9/2026 Chameleon Shoot
Sometimes, no matter how long you plan or what clothing and props you include, a self portrait does not always turn out the way you imagined. It turns out even better.
I found these silver shorts at a second hand store a day before we headed to the desert. I decided to gamble on the bright desert sun being the basis of this image. Grabbed a short dress I could tie into a tank top, my silver wig, aviator glasses, two pieces of dollar store disco tape I got as a gift the week before, a clunky necklace that lives under my bed in my costume jewelry, my tiara, and of course, the disco ball that hangs over my work desk. (don't judge).
When we came to the abode we were staying at, low and behold there was a privacy fence that was calling me to use it as the backdrop of this silver session. I waiting until the sun was angled just perfect and took on a bowler's stance.... because this reminded me of being on the edge lane of a bowling alley, with the lines in the wall leading to a pretend gutter. (not the gutter of my mind, mind you...).
When all was said and done I had about 7 favorite poses, so yesterday I asked my son and hubby to initial the ones that were their favorites. They came up with 3, and they both liked this one. So this is my final image to present to the art world. I was questioned on the significance of the bowling ball aspect..."You don't bowl...." I told them, "but I disco". I also explained that there does not need to be an explanation for art. Each viewer will examine a piece and interpret it on it's own.
But... what makes this piece unique and a piece I did not plan... is how I got the name "Dragonfly".
As I did post production on it, I found a little new friend apparently likes bowling with disco balls also. In this one photo I have a dragon fly on my hip. Whatttt??????
You can't explain art. You definitely cannot plan for magical moments creating the art. Thank you, teeny tiny desert Dragonfly, as you MADE this image! STRIKE!
Inspired by an Artist
I went to Joshua Tree a few months ago and happened upon the coolest block that I have happened upon in a long time.
It is an art district that included The World Famous Crochet Museum and the Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum. When I entered through the front gate I kind of found my heaven. Amazing little stores that expanded into the courtyard. Everything was “ART”.
One particular studio that drew me in was the store of Shari Elf. She had a style that stopped me in my tracks. A sense of humor that made me smile big, and world peace views that made me buy a button that shared my emotions….”Make Orwell Fiction Again.” is proudly displayed on my purse wherever I go.
Her art is distinct and beautiful. I was more than inspired by her. So much, that I also purchased a ink print on a beautiful fabric that I had no idea where I would display, but I needed it. It is drawing of Cher and the words “What would Cher Do?” above it. Now, I’ve been asked about Jesus and Dolly, but never Cher. I LOVE IT!
After I met the artist briefly and overshared how she was more than cool, I went next door and found a few old records, then to another shop and bought two cool pairs of sunglasses, and finally some Sage and Holiday Inn Matches so I could do some smudging in the desert under the moon, to of course correct world issues and make humans nicer people.
I went back to our rental where I planned on doing some Chameleon Shoots. I began a few pieces of art, and then I realized I brought a jumper I found at a second hand store a few days before, I had a gold microphone, and a long wig which looked JUST like Cher would wear. WHAT!? It was like the Cher theme called me! Oh… and those SUNGLASSES…they completed my Cher-dom for sure!
I wanted to use an environment totally opposite than the glamorous Sonny and Cher Set. I mean, when you have a Bob Mackie inspired jumper, what else do you need?… I set the tripod up randomly, voyeuristically, and didn’t even move the resting sleeping bunny slipper. A few safety pins in paneling holes allowed me to add the reason I was so inspired….I tacked up the sweet WWCD fabric art to give Shari Elf a nod as my inspiration.
Art is fun, Art is magical, Artists who dare to be different not only birth their own unique art, but they are inspiration for future artists to experiment boldly.
Pretty cool, huh, or as Cher would say….”Until you’re ready to look foolish, you’‘ll never have the possibility of being great.”
Heeeere’s Bogarts!
in Gen X
So, I put an antenna on the bedroom TV, the kind you can buy online, put outside the window, and plug into the back of a modern TV. I get all sorts of free LA stations plus a ton of classic TV, like MeTV, Cozi TV, Antenna TV, etc. For some reason, I just started crashing early and popping on this TV. There's something different about watching old-school TV… no Roku or Hulu or YouTube, etc.
I have Johnny Carson on from 1988, and for some odd reason, I had a flashback to vacationing in York Beach, Maine, during the 80’s. I think my parents would watch Johnny late at night on the motel tv while we slept all in the same room. I never watched it otherwise, so I think it triggered this memory. Then that flashback led me to remember walking by a bar next to our motel that had a cool logo I loved looking at as a kid.
So I went through the photos on my phone and found one I took of a matchbook my mom kept for 40 years from the place. It was called Bogart's, and last year when I found the matchbook I snapped this photo.
It's amazing how one choice, popping on a TV in an old-fashioned way, opens up so many memories, and how a photo allows one to time travel to a different century and keep it alive. Bogarts is long gone, but it is such a poignant visual still in my mind.
📺
Tis the Season to be Foal-y
Tis’ the season to be Foal-y.
This is one of my favorite autumn images. I happened to have this costume with me as I drove through Norwich, Vermont with my mom to visit her cousin, who lived on the farm of my great-grandparents. The crook was a family piece my mom had, which probably came from this farm, and fit this second hand costume perfectly. I took it along for the ride “just in case”…
I had been obsessed with these bouncy ponies since about 2009 when I was in Vermont and saw a rusty one on a porch. I was determined to do a shoot with one.
This. Amazing. Pony. Was. Calling. Me. It was on my great-grandparents’ field below a tree, asking for a photo. I immediately donned my attire and created this image while my Mom and her cousin and his wife chatted about Covid, at a distance, and completely understood my actions were how I make art.
No questions asked. I mean…how cool is that when my second cousin and his wife are like “you do you.” as I stripped down and up on the side of my great grandparents house out of view of the relatives.
Little did I know their real horse photobombed me in his field behind me….making this the ultimate memory of the beautiful afternoon spent on my ancestors ground playing dress up while the world was still on fire awaiting for Covid vaccines.
🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴
#chameleonshoot #selfportraitartist #alicotton #fairytalephotography #norwichvermont
Happy 9 to 5 Day
Long story short…I bought this beautiful pink guitar a few weeks before Dolly passed.
I was driving through Long Beach and realized I needed a guitar for a self portrait Chameleon shoot.
I wasn’t sure what session it would be, but I needed it. I looked up on Offer up and this guitar called to me. It’s owner responded to my message when I was at her exit off of the 405. It was perfect timing.
She was really cool and told me to let her know when I did my photo shoot with it. :). I love that I can give her guitar a moment in my photo history.
When I heard the news that Dolly died, I knew this guitar had to be part of a tribute to her.
My favorite and first song of hers I knew as a kid was “Here you come again”. That is my title for this shoot only because that’s my special first Dolly song. (It could also be any song from her Kenny and Dolly Xmas album…or 9 to 5 as I adore those songs, too!).
When I went to the desert the week after she died I created this at sunrise. All of the elements came together. It’s my tribute to her influence on my life.
I had met Dolly when I photographed her meet and greet at a fundraiser in 2011 and was blessed to have a photo taken with her. The peace sign image below is one I never processed since 2011 and it’s cool to share today…on 9-25-26.
I’ve been a lucky duck with some of the cool souls my life has been aligned with. My self portrait Chamelon Shoots are designed to help me document my story of important moments in my life. Sharing with you and thanking you for enjoying my artwork.
There's Something About a Tent
As a kid, I remember walking into the circus. Before the show even started, that enormous tent transformed an empty field into The Greatest Show on Earth. It wasn't just a cover; it created an entirely different world.
As we got older, the tents got a little more sophisticated. Cirque du Soleil introduced us to beautifully engineered structures with climate control and an even greater sense of anticipation. But the feeling was the same. You stepped inside, and reality stayed outside.
Over the years, some of my favorite tents have been the ones built for weddings.
I still remember my cousin's backyard wedding in the 1980s. A huge tent was constructed in my aunt and uncle's yard, and while I don't remember every detail of the reception, I vividly remember my Uncle Joe walking around saying to everyone, "This thing cost me an arm and a leg... ten thousand dollars!"
At the time, that number seemed unimaginable.
Years later, as I became a wedding photographer, I often thought about Uncle Joe. If someone invests that much into creating a beautiful space that's only going to exist for one evening, it deserves to be remembered. That became part of how I approached photographing weddings.
One of my earliest lessons came while working for my mentor, Monte Zucker. After the reception had begun, he quietly carried his Hasselblad outside, set it on a tripod, and simply... waited. For nearly twenty minutes.
He was waiting for those perfect few minutes of dusk when the sky still held color and the lights inside the tent began to glow. When I later saw the developed negative, I understood. He hadn't just photographed a tent, he had captured the atmosphere, the anticipation, and all the work that went into creating that magical space.
A few years later, while working for Andy Marcus Studios in New York, I photographed a wedding at The Plaza Hotel. The ballroom had been transformed into an indoor tent, complete with grass covering the floor. As a 25-year-old photographer, I remember thinking this temporary masterpiece probably cost more than my childhood home. (Sorry, Uncle Joe... this one definitely topped your $10,000 tent.)
That experience reinforced something I've never forgotten: these incredible environments often take days to build, are enjoyed for only six or eight hours, and then disappear forever.
Unless someone takes the time to photograph them.
So, if you're planning a tent wedding, choose a photographer who is passionate about every part of your celebration, not just the people, but the details, the atmosphere, and yes... even the tent.
Because long after it's been taken down, your photographs will be the only place where that magical little world still exists.
Timeless Black and White Portraits.
I love it when Fisher's friends come to visit from the East Coast.
Fisher and Liam met online during COVID while gaming together at just 14 years old.
Fisher and Logan have been friends since they were little, but during COVID, Logan's family moved east.
Over the years, as they've both traveled to visit Fisher, Liam and Logan have become friends too. It's been fun watching those friendships grow.
These portraits of Liam and Logan, taken in our new studio, are some of my favorites. I love the depth of the lighting, the soft gray tones, the incredible sharpness of their eyes, and the powerful connection they make with the viewer.
Friends may come and go, but the effort it takes to stay connected across the country creates a bond that's hard to break.
If you ever have the chance to gather friends, family, teammates, or even neighbors for a portrait session together, do it. These photographs become priceless gifts that only grow more meaningful with time.
Blind Follower
A few years back this image was created by me when I saw algae taking over a local lake. It was during his first term and the whole expression “drain the swamp” was HUGE.
I assembled my vision of one of his followers sitting on a little gold couch, wearing a Vote for Rudy pin, red white and blue nails and matching jumper, eating the largest peach i’ve ever seen. Blind folded. Following their leader through every swampy lie.
Little did I know this image strengthened this month as the swamp literally is the reflecting pool.
60th Anniversary
Today I had to look through my archives of negatives from my Dad for a client’s book. What plopped out at me was a bag of negatives labeled Wedding Negatives 6-19-66. I had remembered that today was my parents’ anniversary, but forgot the exact year. It hit me that today is their 60th!
I held up the negatives one by one to identify them and immediately revved up my scanner to scan them. I kept the full frame, to showcase the 4x5 and 120 size and edging. ~ So amazing ~
Here’s one I’ve never seen before…I believe it is the most favorite image I’ve ever laid eyes on. Happy Anniversay Ma and Dad…I hope you’re celebrating, sitting by the Sands Motel pool in heaven, enjoying buds and some clams from Surf and Sand next door.
AliZine Volume 1 Issue 1 - Hot off the Press!
Oprah's "O" ... John F Kennedy Jr's "George".....I wanted to publish a magazine, too. So. I. Did.
I created something physical, that does not disappear once you scroll through, something to set on your coffee table and collect. Introducing "AliZine"
(Seriously!)
The very first issue of AliZine is here....Inside, I’ve included pieces that truly matter to me:
• Exclusive interview with Aaron Sagers
• Never-before-seen prints from 1960s New England
• Personal behind-the-scenes moments from my creative life
• A special guest column from the band "No Current"
If you choose to support this project, it truly means the world. For this first week, the publisher is offering a 20% discount. This zine makes a cool gift for anyone who loves art or photography, and a beautiful start to a new collection of my work. It also makes a great stocking stuffer. Thank you for supporting small business, independent art, and this little dream of mine.
Get your copy here... (HOLIDAY2025 is 20/% off code through dec 11.)
End of an era…bringing us back to our roots.
In 1944, today, my dad was born. 81 years ago. But, I only see him up to his 64th. Some days I wonder what an 81 year old dad would look like.
I actually reminisce of him most from the 1970’s… He was my Buddy Holly. Strawberry blonde hair, thick rimmed glasses, and the man I adored growing up. I recently found drawings of him that I made while I sat in his darkroom while he was printing and I was on light-switch duty. He was the best dad ever.
Today was a big day at our house…my sis and I cut down our beautiful maple in the yard. It’s about my age or a little older. It was dying and it was time to put it down.
It was sad to see it disappear through my Ring Camera as I watched from the West coast. It was the second tree to go… Last year its twin across the lawn also outgrew its stay after 50 some-odd years.
Before my mom passed, I did two amazing Chameleon Shoots. The further tree incorporated our great grandmother’s phone. The one we lost today incorporated my bare feet and about a zillion leaves.
I am so glad I captured these two trees in my art. I think of them as my tribute to the years they gave us as we grew up…including second and third base during 2017 baseball games between me, my son, and his incredibly awesome aunt.
Sometimes, taking the time to do a portrait is the best time spent. I will miss these two quiet forms of life that we took for granted for so many years, but they will always be remembered by my portraits and memories… Not only these two images below, but all of the ones taken with my dad and mom in the front yard with them. Happy bday and tree day, Daddio.
Client Post… thank you, Christine!
“In this ghostly season of change, I’m reminded how beautiful transformation can be.👻🥰
Grateful for moments like this in Virginia City — a place where history lingers in the streets and the light feels almost magical.
It’s been 12 years since Ali did a photo shoot with me, and she’s still capturing elements I don’t always see every day — the ones that make the ordinary feel extraordinary.
So thankful for her eye, her friendship, and the reminder that some connections — and some kinds of light — only get better with time. ❤️”
#GratefulHeart #GhostSeason #VirginiaCity #ChasingLight #ThankfulMoments #FriendshipThroughTheYears
