capture life. beauty. love.
An archive for the works of Allison Cordner
Allison Cordner BFA, WetPlate Artist
my background
Allison Cordner is an artist specializing in fine portrait photography. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for capturing the essence of her subjects, using historical process' she creates timeless pieces that tell a story and last forever.
Published Works
I am surrounded both by natural beauty and interesting people. I use my vintage camera to document the world and then produce darkroom images with a focus on the magic I find in daily life. My portraits tell your stories.
Mission
At Allison Cordner Fine Portraits, we strive to capture the essence of each individual through our artistic lens. We aim to showcase timeless portraits that tell a unique story and resonate with viewers.
Comissions
I take selective commissions from bespoke clients who appreciate hand made art and understand the complexity, dedication, and emotional journey of creating each of these pieces,
Biography of the Artist
Allison Cordner is an award-winning portrait photographer with over 20 years of experience capturing the human spirit through her lens. A single mother to two teenagers, Allison’s creative journey began in the world of contemporary dance and theatre, where she trained with visionary artists such as Michael Montanaro, Sylvie Panet Raymond, and Margie Gillis. Her background in creating live installations, multimedia pieces, and choreography naturally evolved into a passion for photography and image-making.
Renowned for her hauntingly simple yet deeply impactful portraits, Allison has a gift for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. She is also one of the few photographers in Canada skilled in the historic Wet Plate process, creating tintypes and ambrotypes using silver on glass and metal. Currently, she is working on two art series: one documenting circus culture and another celebrating women who ride motorcycles — both captured through the timeless beauty of the Wet Plate method.
Allison’s understanding of portraiture is profoundly personal. After losing her mother at a young age, the few small photographs they shared became treasured links to her past. This experience fuels her creative drive, knowing that the portraits she creates today will become meaningful heirlooms for future generations.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Created Work for:
- Applied Arts Magazine
- REVOLUTION Motorcycle Magazine
- The Women of Moto Blog
- Harley Davidson Montreal
- ONELAND Magazine
- Moto Hebdo Magazine
- University of Ottawa – Alumnae Heritage Magazine
- Sun Life Insurance
- Blue Experts – Private Medical Clinic
- Les Voisins de Westmount – Magazine Cover and Editorials
- Tsunami Création Inc. – Complete Branding
- The Yellow Door Choir – Conductor Eleanor Stubley
- Studio Caroline Théoret
- Manna Research – Private Medical Research Clinic
- Curlee Bikini Brand USA
- ID IMPACT
- Biomass Magazine
- Prime Minister Tony Blair – Commissioned Portrait
- Studio De Musique Ancienne de Montréal – Conductor Christopher Jackson
- Spade Hive Cooley – Renowned DJ & Fashion Savante
- NDP (National Democratic Party)
- Le Vieux Moulin – Event Venue
- Ayisha Issa – Actress
- Isabelle Young – Singer
- Nancy Lane – Jazz Vocalist Album Cover
- Ashfield Healthcare Canada – Magazine Editorial
- Radio Canada RDI – Featured Work
- Globe and Mail – Featured Work
- Journal de Montréal – Featured Work
- La Presse – Featured Work
EXHIBITIONS:
- 2015 – Arbor Gallery, Vankleek Hill, Canada
Artist in Residence - 2016 – Salon Du Moto, Palais De Congrès, Montreal, Canada
Wet Plate Work Displayed and Live Demos - 2017 – Papermill Gallery, Toronto, Canada
Mammoth Wet Plate Art Piece ‘Headless Artist’ on Display - 2018 – Founderie Darling Gallerie, Montreal, Canada
‘Silver Unicorns’ on Glass and Metal – Women and Their Motorcycles
AWARDS:
- CAPIC DOUBLE VISION – 1st Place (2017) – ‘Headless Artist’
- PPA (Professional Photographers of America) – Reader’s Choice
- NAPCP (National Association of Professional Child Photographers) – 2nd Place International (2013)
What is Wet Plate Photography?
