Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Culbreth.
Hi Alex, 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 first started doing photography when I was really young, my dad used to do photography in college and would always carry around a nice camera that I would occasionally use. I don’t know what drew me into it in particular at such a young age, there was just something very satisfying about framing a shot and pressing the shutter knowing I captured a moment of life from my perspective. Eventually in middle school, I got my own camera for Christmas and would teach myself how to use it with experimentation and the internet. This learning period is what really broadened my perspective on the medium of photography as a whole and just how much I could do with my own camera. From there, I would do photography a lot as a hobby, shooting on vacations or with friends not taking it too seriously. I always wanted to do photography professionally but always thought it was unrealistic up until my sophomore year of high school. My skills had improved a lot more and, with the encouragement of others, I began to do a few small photoshoots with clients that made me realize that making photography a career wasn’t as unrealistic as I thought.
Then covid hit. I wasn’t shooting too much besides portraits of my friends and abandoned buildings which I grew really bored of. I would also spend a lot of time browsing other photographers on Instagram in search of inspiration when I noticed that all of my favorite photos were shot with film cameras. There was something about the rich, natural colors that gave photos, especially portraits, a certain emotional depth that struck me. These factors made it a no brainer for me to try film photography. I taught myself how to shoot, develop, and scan all at home, learning all of the intricacies of film. Shortly after, I moved to Atlanta and started attending Georgia state university which gave me so many opportunities to make connections with the talented artists and people I shoot with today. Also in high school, I really admired celebrity art and fashion culture and spent a lot of time on social media browsing artists like Tyler the creator, asap Rocky, frank ocean, Virgil Abloh, and other people who continuously pushed their creativity. I think that interest is what drives me so heavily into pursuing the rich art world of Atlanta and capturing it the way a celebrity would.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Yes and no. Of course, there were plenty of moments where I wanted to completely give up on photography. Sometimes it’s because I found myself getting frustrated with my Instagram page not growing or because I wasn’t getting as many likes as other photographers. Sometimes it’s because I’m stuck in a creative block and have no inspiration or motivation to keep creating. But it’s been a smooth road in the sense that I always have people encouraging me and at this point, I have accepted that photography is my biggest passion and I’m going to do it no matter what happens with likes or my career.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a photographer, specifically film photography. Most people will know me for my portraits but I also really love street photography and shooting live shows/ events. I am of course very proud of how far I’ve come, but what I’m most proud of are all the people I’ve gotten to work with. I really admire all of the talented artists who are pushing and working hard to meet their creative goals and having the opportunity to not only do a photoshoot with them and help meet their creative visions but getting to have conversations with them about their work and life. Every photoshoot I do, I am granted with time to talk to talented, interesting people and the ability to help them meet their visions which feels like such a unique opportunity. I think what sets me apart from other photographers the most is the very deep natural feel I get from film that gives my portraits a more personal look. I also really care about any form of art whether that’s music or fashion and I think that care and interest reflect on my portfolio as a whole.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Human are meant to create, having a creative passion gives you life. Find that passion and pursue it no matter what.
- 50$ flat for a digital shoot
- 70$ flat for a film shoot
- Email: alex.culbreth@yahoo.com
- Website: alexculbreth.smugmug.com
- Instagram: alex.13.pictures
Image Credits
All taken, developed, and edited by me, Alex Culbreth
