About Allison Michael Orenstein
Allison Michael Orenstein (aka A/O) is a New York-based portrait photographer who got her start in high school in Boca Raton. Photographing best friends and crushes evolved into a career connecting with people through her lens.
Her personal project The Queer Artists Series focuses on queer performers. "The artists I shoot are those whose work I love and admire. The portraits are a way to get to know them. I want to document queerness, otherness, at this moment in time in New York City."
A former DJ and lifelong comedy fan, A/O uses music and humor to help her subjects relax. She curates playlists (mixtapes) for her subjects on Spotify. Olivia Newton-John for Toni Collette, a sugar-themed playlist for Cake Boss Buddy Valastro, and blues and honky-tonk for John Waters. As for comedy, she has 5 go-to jokes that are guaranteed to get laughs, just ask her assistants.
A/O currently lives in Williamsburg with her two favorite subjects, her wife Simone and their Insta-famous dachshund Louie. Follow him @louiesaintlaurent
Magazines: Vanity Fair, Town & Country, Vogue, New York Times, WSJ, People, Esquire, BlackBook, The Hollywood Reporter, Real Simple, Spin, The Guardian, Elle, Interview, Art Forum.