Meet Alexis Doyle of AD Photography in Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Doyle.

Alexis, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a professional lover of people, especially children and nature. Hence, I have been a science teacher for almost 18 years. I currently teach middle school science and language acquisition at a private school in Buckhead.

About ten years ago, my desire to be in the present moment made me think that leaving my camera home when I went on a trip to Costa Rica was a good idea. I’ve regretted it ever since. Now, my camera is never too far behind. I’ve taken my camera almost everywhere, photographing nature, people and the candid beauty I observe in everyday life.

As I began to take photography more seriously, my love of nature and differing cultures propelled me to photograph flowers, people and landscapes. I’ve always dreamed of having photos published in National Geographic. This dream pushed me to submit photos to National Geographic’s My Shot and to begin submitting grants to take photography classes all over the world.

In 2015, I was awarded a travel grant to explore Morocco and participate in a photography class in Essaouira, Morocco. Joining this photography expedition helped me learn camera techniques, practice street and portrait photography and delve deeper into lighting and depth of perception. This experience allowed me to connect with other photographers and cultures, explore new landscapes and, thankfully, be properly introduced to the hammam spa experience. If you haven’t tried it yet, add it to your list of experiences to enjoy.

The ability to travel and record my surroundings through my lens brings me life! Travel photography is definitely merging my passion to seek adventure and photograph it. I am an adventure seeker who specializes in translating the internal and external light I see and feel in others through my lens. Hence, my mantra #loveandgoodlight.

My desire to showcase my gratitude for nature and people is what led me to start my business, AD Photography, in 2015 and what has driven me to expand the market and types of photography I do at the start of this year.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is about perspective. I think that 85% of the time, I view struggle through the rose-colored, albeit UV protected, lenses of an optimist. The remaining 15% is where my background as a scientist (biologist, to be specific) comes into play. It makes me use the world around me, leveled in facts, to guide my thoughts and realize the struggles that I sometimes face.

I grew up in Columbia, Maryland with a loving family that really helped shaped who I am. The loss of my mother 15 years ago, followed by both of her parents and my father’s mom broke my heart. We shared so many special moments together and it is thinking back on these shared memories that makes me wish I had more pictures of those treasured moments.

I have a beautiful life, but experiencing loss and disappointment along the way has not always made me more resilient. There are times when I feel overwhelmed to accomplish everything that I find piling up on my pescatarian, mostly gluten-free dish. I feel my anxiety take over and my obscure feelings seem to be real. It is only by God’s grace, blind faith, the amazingly supportive individuals in my life, and love, that I preserve to create and see liquid sunshine when others see raindrops. I am also blessed to be affiliated with Queen Photographers of Atlanta, a network of women of color photographers, whom I have collaborated and learned from and with some amazing women.

When I inhabit my moments, gain perspective and recognize that feelings are not always real, I persevere, create and accomplish. I like to use photography to paint a picture of real life, so I include faces that have color, scars (hidden and visible) and show vulnerability in order to share a story. A real story. When I capture realness, laughter may be loud, a man may be winking at his spouse, a tear may drop…whatever it is, it is authentic. Grace, love and wisdom of the faces are what I appreciate having the opportunity to capture. Struggles of life are going to come, that is for certain, how we perceive them and navigate through or around them is what strengthens us. That is what strengthens me and grows my resiliency.

Please tell us about AD Photography.
AD Photography specializes in portrait (headshots/beauty), family, event and boudoir photography. I am most proud of sharing my love through #loveandgoodlight to the individuals, families and businesses that choose AD Photography. My unique perspective, that I view and capture through the lens, is what sets AD Photography apart from others.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have two favorite memories. The first is playing on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland with my older sister. The beach is my first love and we’ve never broken up or had any communication issues. I can look to the beach (and my sisters) always for strength and renewal. My parents took a picture of us wearing blue and white polka dot bikinis when my sister and I were probably around seven or eight years old. I am so grateful for that picture.

The second memory was my first time on a plane at age twelve. My grandmother, sister, and I flew from BWI to ATL. I felt such joy when I adventured around Atlanta and visited with family. I remember going to the Sundial restaurant, eating dinner and for dessert ordering a sundae that was super extreme. My sundae was red, white and blue and even had sparklers coming from it. I ate every bite and the view from there was spectacular. I think I knew, in that sparkling moment, that I would one day make Atlanta my home.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alexisdoyle.com
• Phone: 404-919-8834
• Email: doylerinnovi@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adphotographyatl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adPhotographyatl/

Image Credit:
At First Sight by JM, MUA Chelsy Cannon

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