Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandria Lester.
Alexandria, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As a little girl, I remember always saying I would be an entrepreneur and use every talent I was given in one business. I thought for sure I would be a fashion designer because I was always drawing people and designing clothes. However, during high school, I found myself more so behind the camera. It started from me volunteering to be a part of the media department at my church. I was either snapping photos or video tapping service. I was mainly behind the camera taking photos. I thought I was just snapping pictures! Since I was already a volunteer I had the chance to work as a Production Assistant for a company called Big Owl Productions on a project with Angie Stone. One day the Director of Photography was absent and I was asked to take a few photos. When he came back the next day, he told me I had an eye and immediately started acting as a mentor. Sometime shortly after, I had to end my time there and I started my creative degree at SCAD-Atlanta. I majored in Fashion Design as planned and intended to minor in photography. My last quarter at SCAD I took one photography class which ended in me facing the class and being told that I should consider it to be my career. However, I found out after the quarter that I was not financially able to continue. It was devastating but I waited to go back. In the midst of my waiting, I was blessed with my son, Jaedon. At that point, I really didn’t see any way for me to finish what I had started there at SCAD. After he was a year and a half I ended up taking a job at a preschool. It’s been two years now that I have been training and teaching there. I ended up coming up with my business name “Luxe & Lure Photography” and my kids there inspired me to come up with “Luxe Kids.” I am able to incorporate my love for fashion models like I always wanted and now I am able to incorporate it with kids and families as well. I aim to shoot high-quality portraits from children, families, weddings, etc. with a fashion edge to them. I’m tying in everything that I am passionate about at the same time! I know I was destined to do this and dreamed it at a young age. Just didn’t know that the road I thought I was going to get me here was this one instead.
Has it been a smooth road?
It most certainly was not. I believed that the plan I had for my life was the one that was going to get me to the place I’m in now. No, instead it took me being with very little, heart-broken, and a single mother to realize this was indeed the path that would spark an undeniable will and drive to go after a dream after I thought was long gone. I then learned what being truly passionate was and how to chase a dream for not just me but for my son. Sometimes, I have to sacrifice time away from being a mommy just to get a job done that I know he doesn’t understand but that I explain to him anyway that this is going to set him up for now and for life and that I’m doing it for him and me. I work full-time still as a teacher and got accepted back into SCAD to finish my degree on scholarship……there isn’t enough time in a day! Challenges. I’m forever grateful because I could be worse off. Within just one year my business has grown. My son is thriving. I have an awesome support system and someone very special to me who encourages and motivates me to do more every time I feel like I’ve done enough. I just feel like any future obstacles, I’ll be able to knock them out quickly!
So, what should we be on the lookout for, what’s next in store for you?
Right now, my main focus is on being able to work this passion of mine full-time. I’ve been working on a lot of different projects and building my clientele up. Once that is possible, I’ll be able to focus on the bigger picture which is developing my creative studio that will be located in Atlanta. This creative studio will be a place for me to continue doing what I love in not just photography but with my love for the arts and fashion by producing those as well. I am an artist and love illustrating fashion as well. I have big plans for Luxe & Lure as a brand. I’m really excited to focus on Luxe Kids for now, though.
Let’s go backward a bit – can you tell us about the most trying time in your career?
The hardest time I must say would be now. I’m a single mother who works as a preschool teacher with this desire to do photography and still wants to go back to school! Trying to find the balance is hard but being the best mother I can be is a priority. As a single mother, it’s already hard to handle every responsibility but I know that I’m doing all I can. Luckily, I have an awesome support system who also help me to do more for him as I go off and do these projects. Everything is going to set our futures up and my son won’t have to want for anything. He knows mommy loves him so much that when mommy goes out to work, every photograph is for him.
Are there days when you feel like you’ve done everything you wanted to, careerwise – the “I’ve made it” kind of moments?
I was amazed in June of this year that I was for one, asked to photograph a dance recital and the demand for me to photograph so many children. It was a blessing as I gained experience doing something I never dreamed of and then financially it was a way for me to take care of my son easier. I shocked the parents with the photographs but I also shocked myself. I love that I have the ability to satisfy my client’s needs and see growth within myself as a photographer. I always wanted to shoot models and magazine covers and whatever comes with fashion. So to shoot children…I would have never thought. I absolutely love it!
Pricing:
- Winter Wonderland Mini Sessions $55 for 4 retouched digital files 11/12/16
- Luxe Photo Session starting at $155
- Luxe Wedding Photography starting at $450
- Luxe Kids Photo Session starting at $135
- Luxe Event Coverage starting at $250
Contact Info:
- Website: www.luxelurephotography.com
- Phone: 678-665-2495
- Email: luxelurestudio@gmail.com
- Instagram: alex_luxelure
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexluxelure
Image Credit:
Clair Cox
Morgan Hennum
Kayla Carter
Elisha Schmaltz
