The Artists

The photographers:
Jena Ritchie and Shannon Fullen.

The name:
al•che•my (ˈæl kə mi) – [al-kuh-mee]
1.a form of chemistry and speculative philosophy practiced in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance concerned principally with discovering methods for transmuting baser metals into gold and with finding a universal solvent and an elixir of life.
2.any magical power or process of transmuting a common substance, usually of little value, into a substance of great value. (i.e. blank paper into priceless photographs)

The story:
We met in Atlanta nearly a decade ago; just months before we would soon be living on opposite coasts- Shannon in her birthplace of Atlanta and Jena in her birthplace of Los Angeles. Between us we have two dogs, two husbands and four kids –two each. We love our family lives deeply! At first glimpse, it would seem this is what we shared in common. Our kids are all about the same ages and we’ve been in the same stages for a while now; celebrating the milestones and weathering the constant stream of quirky changes that comes with childhood vs. parenthood. It is ironic we would find ourselves living such conventional lives, however, being equally unconventional in our domestic-ness; we definitely lean to our spontaneous, creative side rather than the June Cleaver stereotype. Soon, our other interests would quickly emerge and we would ultimately discover another mutual love and passion – photography!

Living on opposite sides of the country for more than seven years, we swapped countless online photo albums and faithfully mailed our annual photo Christmas cards while others baked cookies. We kept up with life, kept up with each other and kept up with photography. As mothers and as photographers it was natural for us to exchange ideas, offer advice and tips, make suggestions, give feedback and challenge each other- we grew both personally and professionally. Apart, we independently explored new paths while photographs allowed us to share our experiences and adventures; each able to “witness” what the other saw.

Then, as if part of a greater plan, one day we would eventually find ourselves living in the same city once again and the timing was just right! Alchemy Photographic Artisans was born and the name itself is a reflection of our philosophy. For us, photography is more than a shared passion, it’s the elixir of life; outwitting the clock, prolonging the hour, freezing fleeting moments, preserving memory forever, beating Father Time- the image as a form of eternal existence. And so it is, through our mutual loves of life, the art of photography and the magic of science that we joyfully come together to craft lasting priceless photographic memories from blank paper, stolen moments and thin air. With the buzz of the shutter caffeinating our imagination, it is our genuine desire to create for you meaningful heirlooms, treasured works of personal art and tangible evidence of your most cherished memories, deepest hopes and life dreams.

What to expect: We strive to create highly personalized original works of A.R.T. Our style is A.uthentic, R.elaxed, T.imeless! We want to know you! Our approach to each session is always different- but our goal is always the same- to portray you- real, imagined, from the surface of your skin to the depths of your soul. We want to tell the whole story! The big picture! Every person is unique- every story is one-of-a-kind and that is why we love what we do. There are few things we enjoy more than finding ‘that smile’, ‘that look’, ‘that love” or capturing ‘that vision” which affirms your beliefs and future.

What to wear: Keep it simple, but be yourself! We’ll consult with you prior to your session about clothing. We’ll collaborate with you in selecting the appropriate clothing for the image you want to portray.

What to bring: Allow your hopes and dreams to become part of our time together. As well, we welcome your favorite people, pets, places and props. We’ll discuss in advance what the goals for your session are. Together, we’ll decide what fits.

What to do next: You may book online or call or email the studio to reserve your date. Session fees are due at time of reservation to guarantee availability of your date. Simply book online, call the studio at 678-881-1101 or email us at alchemyartisans@gmail.com. Then, relax, the rest will be fun!