Alison is a graduate of the New England School of Photography 1981, UMASS Boston 1985, earned a Certificate in Digital Graphic Design from North Shore Community College in 2001, and a Certificate in Multimedia Applications from UMASS Lowell in 2004.

During college, Alison worked for several newspapers, and as a photo assistant at Wang Laboratories. She worked as a civilian photographer for the US Air Force before putting her career on hold to raise four children.

Since returning to the profession, Alison has received her accreditation as a Certified Professional Photographer, and as an Adobe Certified Expert (Photoshop). She is a trainer for Special Kids Photography of America (SKPA), a non-profit organization that educates photographers working with special needs children.

She currently serves as the Secretary for the SKPA. Alison is an active member of the New Hampshire Professional Photographers Association, Professional Photographers of New England, and the Professional Photographers of America.

Alison was a recipient of a 2009 Kodak gallery award for her Conomo Point photo “At Anchor”.