Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Griffin.
Hi Alexis, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
To say it all started when I was eight years old might seem like an exaggeration to some, but it’s the honest truth. If we are starting from the beginning, I was just a child when my passion for photography began. My elementary school was hosting a hobby contest and I decided to enter. To be honest, I wasn’t really sure what my favorite hobby was at eight years old, but my dad pointed out how much I paid attention to detail and saw the beauty in the small things that surrounded me. He suggested I find a way to portray that as a hobby. We ended up going to purchase a small disposable camera and drove to Sweet Water Creek and I began to photograph the beauty that surrounded me. I ended up submitting my photos and won 1st place in the contest.
Fast forward to my freshman year of college and I found myself wanting to document every moment that passed by. As a broke college student, the idea of hiring a professional photographer to follow me around in life was beyond far-fetched, but I didn’t let that stop me. I ended up saving up some money and went and purchased a small starter camera and became the personal photographer for myself, my family, and my friends. Over time, I wanted to learn more about the ins and out’s of the camera itself and how I could edit my photos to portray my personal style. I began to reach out to some of my favorite photographers in the area and requested to shadow them and learn more about photography in general. They welcomed me with open arms and helped me dive deeper into my passion. I also took many online courses and watched countless hours of videos from photographers from all over the world, explaining their views from behind the lens. I practiced my newfound skills with my family and friends until I was able to build a small portfolio.
Over time, word of mouth grew and my passion turned into a full-fledged business. I now shoot an array of pictures including Weddings, Engagements, Families, Maternity, Boudoir, Babies, Seniors, Styled shoots, and anything in between. I still continue to study and learn new things every day, not only to grow my business but to grow myself into the best photographer I can be. Although I am so proud of how far my passion for photography has come, I will never forget where I started. None of this would have been possible without every single person who helped me along the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wish I could say my passion has been smooth, but every growth story has to have struggles and triumphs along the way. As I previously stated, being a broke college kid, you aren’t going to purchase the best equipment on the market to start out. At first, I was using a small $300 camera that I knew nothing about. I didn’t know what lens to use, what settings my camera should be on, or frankly even how to pose subjects for photos. I spent countless hours studying and learning every inch of my camera. I also watched many hours of videos and studied other photographers’ photos to learn how they would pose their subjects for the perfect photos. There were many times I would become frustrated because I didn’t know what I was doing wrong, but I had to take a step back and try over and over again until I got it right.
Wanting to be just as good as other photographers out there but not knowing how to be, is a hard pill to swallow. There are many photographers who I look up to within the industry who has been in photography for 20+ years and put in their time and effort to be where they are today. I had to learn that patience is key, and I will eventually be in their shoes one day, but until then, I have to keep learning and working hard to get on their level.
In addition, finding your unique style can be frustrating. Every photographer’s eye is different. From how they capture a moment to how they edit the moment so that clients can relive their memories through their photos. There are many days when I just stare at my computer for hours and I am not pleased with how I edit a certain photo, but I know I have to keep tweaking it until it is just right. I still face struggles to this day, running a business plus working a completely different full-time job can be very stressful. Time management, scheduling, and staying organized is a task that is never easy. I know that as I continue to grow, I will continue to face hardships and struggles, but I will come out stronger in the end!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Being a small-town photographer in an industry filled with so many other amazing photographers, it can be hard to stand out or grow a clientele that wants to use you to capture their special moments in life. Honestly, the client’s preference on how they want their photos to look will ultimately determine if you are the right photographer for them. My editing style focuses mainly on enhanced colors, contrast, and highlights with a moody undertone. I like to keep my photos crisp and clean while having a warm engaging feel to them.
Throughout my work, I strive on capturing my clients ” in their element “. Although I help assist with certain posing, a lot of times, I will give my clients a certain movement or a game to play, so I can capture the raw laughs and smiles that are brought out during the moment. I always express how laid back and chill I am as a photographer and I want my clients to feel the same way while in front of the lens.
The main staple of my business is being affordable. I always revert back to the time when I wanted photos of the important moments in my life captured but couldn’t afford them. I make sure my clients never have to feel the way I felt. Great photos can still be inexpensive in an industry that most people view as expensive. Every time I tell a client my pricing, they are shocked at how low I am able to keep the costs. Everyone deserves to have their important moments captured so they can cherish them for a lifetime.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
As a child, teenager, and young adult, I have always been very outgoing and bubbly. I have always enjoyed being able to meet new people and learn more about their lives and any plans they have for the future. I have always been very caring and heartfelt individual which allows me to easily read people’s vibes & emotions. My characteristics as a child & young adult have helped me in more ways than one when being a photographer and business owner in my adult life.
Pricing:
- 30 Minute Session $50 (Minimum of 10 edited images)
- 1 Hour Session $100 (Minimum of 20 edited images)
- 1.5 Hour Session $150 (Minimum of 30 edited images)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/willowedvinephotography?r=nametag
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillowedVinePhotography
Image Credits
Alexis Griffin (Willowed Vine Photography)
