2015 ushers in another year of Checking in with the Locals! Charlottesville is a city filled with local-loving people, and a spirit of community and collaboration unlike anywhere else. Every week, Cville Niche celebrates that spirit by featuring a local’s top picks.
Check out previous local check-ins!
Allie Merrill
Photo courtesy of Allie Merrill
This local gal is a bundle of sweetness and creativity – oh yeah, and serious talent. Her passion for videography and photography is evident in everything she does. Stay tuned this week for an exciting videography collaboration! The Dressing Up series + M Squared Creative = *find out on Friday*
Describe what you do in town.
Capturing beautiful images and creating films is my passion. I love experiencing life through my 50mm lens, and stumbling upon those moments that inspire me to keep creating. I am so lucky that I get to do what I love everyday through my business, M Squared Creative. I focus on telling stories that others can’t – from wedding films to fashion photography to business promotional videos, I thrive on discovering and illustrating the elements that makes each person unique.
Describe yourself in 5 syllables or less.
inspire and dream
Top Picks
A favorite dish in town.
Aburi Salmon. Picture this: two layers of sticky rice topped with one layer of seared, maple-glazed salmon, and a slice of raw salmon in between. One of the best things you will ever eat. You can find this amazing dish at Now and Zen — a quaint sushi restaurant located across from McGuffey Art Center. It’s always a tough decision deciding between Monsoon and Now and Zen, but this dish always closes the deal for me. Go eat some. Now.
A favorite local musician.
Dillingham, hands down. I have watched them grow since the beginning, and they are truly one of my favorite bands ever. They will inspire you with their poetic lyrics and indie folk vibe. If you are ever lucky enough to catch them performing, don’t let the opportunity pass. I guarantee you, you won’t regret it.
A favorite local gallery/venue to see art.
The Old Metropolitan Hall is not strictly an art venue, but it is the perfect space to host a show. It is located on the downtown mall, and with a beautifully carved ceiling, a wall of mirrors, and a basement bar, the space begs to display art on its fresh walls.
Lexi Hutchins is a local artist (and friend) who hosted her art show there a couple months ago, and it was the perfect place to have it. Her collection made the walls pop with color and feeling, and the lyrics of Dillingham filled the space.
Cville Niche 
January 23rd, 2015 → 11:31 am
[…] by Linnea White, Photography by Scott Tiernan, Cinematography by Allie Merrill, M Squared […]
February 13th, 2015 → 1:43 pm
[…] the last Dressing Up post, we announced an exciting new collaboration with Allie Merrill of M Squared Creative. For the latest in the Dressing Up with jean theory: series, we teamed up […]
February 27th, 2015 → 11:39 am
[…] Allie Merrill of M Squared Creative returned to capture the joyful spirit of Spring and the colorful background of neighboring restaurant, PastureQ. […]
March 13th, 2015 → 1:41 pm
[…] the past months, a collaboration with Allie Merrill of M Squared Creative introduced an exciting video element to the fashion series, taking the […]
June 9th, 2015 → 1:39 pm
[…] are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Allie Merrill of M Squared Creative! Allie created a beautiful film about the new Darling – from the […]