Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Jacobs.
Hi Alexis, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started photography as a hobby when I received my first DSLR camera for Christmas of 2017. That following summer after a trip to Little Five Points with some friends, an artsy and colorful district in East Atlanta, I discovered I had an eye for capturing people. Back then, I just did it for fun and because it was something I was good at, as well as an effective outlet for creativity. Additionally, I was in high school at the time, so it wasn’t long before I abandoned my camera for other priorities.
When I found myself wanting to get back into the craft, there was one question in my mind: why? What was my motivation? Why do I love doing this so much?
After many successes and failures in my journey to building my portfolio, it hit me: realizing I had the power to capture the real and (after watching several photoshop tutorials) manipulate reality was exciting. I could immortalize someone in their essence or create a scene from my favorite sci-fi movie. As a creative writer and fan of cinematography, I could make whatever I imagined a reality.
It also took time to realize I wasn’t just in it to fulfill my own personal fantasies, but for the representation of Black and brown people in spaces other than suffering and abuse. I grew up reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Twilight, and, like, four books of Harry Potter. I wrote fanfiction and watched their adaptations of monsters and heroes come to life in awesome displays of visual effects. However, in all those casts there was a minimal presence of characters who looked like me, my friends, or my family. I wanted to visualize us in places of magic and mystery. Saving the world. Demigods controlling the elements. No trauma involved.
And so here I am, four years into a constantly evolving photography business, but with invaluable experience and pride in my creations thus far.
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’ve definitely had to learn about the intricacies of photography the hard way. I launched my photography business in my freshman year of college. I didn’t have many clients at first, and if I did, they were few and far between. I was insecure about my portfolio and suffering from impostor syndrome. Sometimes that was the reason I bought gear that I didn’t need or, when I did get clients, overworked myself in a way that was unsustainable for my mental health. However, in those discouraging moments, I remembered the reason why I love taking photographs and how far I’d come since I’d received my DSLR. In retrospect, that year taught me a lot and I’m still building from those experiences. If I had quit then, I wouldn’t have learned the important lessons and practices that I employ in my business today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in portrait, creative, and landscape photography. Combined with my passion for speculative fiction writing, I love creating a space for Black and brown individuals to be shown in a positive light, whether that be in real or fantasy environments. As an imaginative young child, escaping from reality was my favorite pastime. I fell in love with the cinematography of movies and the elaborate and magical universes of books. As a photographer, my goal is to evoke the nostalgia of childhood dreams and make those concepts come to life through my art. As a Black woman, my goal is to diversify the current representation of African Americans and people of color in the media and redefine the visual narrative, whether that be through headshots or abstract concepts. The moments that make me the proudest are when people see my work and experience happiness, inspiration, and visibility.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I wouldn’t have a photography business if it weren’t for my parents investing in me. They bought me my first camera, helped me purchase additional equipment, and continued to support my craft through social media and word of mouth. My extended family, the City of South Fulton community, and the Atlanta University Center (AUC) student community are also emphatic supporters of my business. I also owe a huge thank you to my close friends, my first muses. From my days as an amateur until now, they’ve encouraged me to pursue greater heights and are always down to model if I need them.
And speaking of models, I want to dedicate a huge thank you to my little sister, who’s let me use her as a model countless times and is the subject of some of my most popular creations thus far. Without her, my portfolio wouldn’t be what it is today.
Lastly, but certainly not least, I want to thank my loving and supportive boyfriend. Not only has he been a muse on several occasions, but I often consult with him about executive decisions for my business. He’s my pair of fresh eyes before sharing new photos with the world and an enormous help when curating Instagram posts and designing packages for clients.
Contact Info:
- Email: butterbeanshots@gmail.com
- Website: butterbeanshots.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butterbeanshots/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/butterbeanshots/
