Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Shelley.
Alex, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I fell in love with photography while working at a small town newspaper in college. Because it was so small, each staff member did everything – we wrote articles, we took the pictures, designed ads, etc. The skill turned out to be really valuable after I graduated and went to work in marketing and public relations in higher education because we didn’t always have the budget for photographers. Fast forward a few years and having a boss that really pushed everyone to pursue their passion and a husband who really cheered me on, I followed my dream. I experimented a lot and in the process, I learned what I liked and what I didn’t like and found my own style and purpose. I try not to do things the same as everybody else.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think any entrepreneurial road has some bumpy patches. I think my biggest obstacle was just getting over my fear of risk and failure. Once upon a time, I was a single mom and money really, really mattered. I couldn’t afford to take a risk because a child depended on me. With a whole lot of support from my husband, I let go of that somewhat so kind of and just jumped. From there, the challenge became finding my own voice. In such a saturated market like photography, it’s hard to be different. So, I dabbled here and tried different things and finally found what really speaks to my heart. And my clients’. I really had to get out of my own way and not listen to other people’s suggestions or negativity.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Alex Shelley Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I photograph women and the everyday moments of their life. I specialize in birth photography, family photojournalism and portraits. I really focus on real life and real moments because at the end of a lifetime, that’s what’s really important, especially to those we leave behind. I think I’m most proud of helping women find value in themselves and appreciate the simplicity of life especially with today’s obsession with social media and styled photographs. It’s easy to lose yourself in comparing your life to those online. I think the fact that I don’t ask women to get dressed up in an elaborate gown or style setup is what sets me apart. I just photograph the real woman in front of my camera and help her see her own beauty and natural glamour just as she is even though, she may not feel it most days. You don’t have to be naked or a size two to be sexy and beautiful. And it’s not awkward or forced; we just sit down and have a conversation.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
You know, I don’t think luck really has anything to do with it. I just think it’s a series of choices – good ones and bad ones – that put us on whatever pathway we are walking. I’m thankful that I was able to connect with the people who crossed my path when they did. Maybe, the fact they crossed my path at all was the lucky part.
Pricing:
- Birth Photography $500
- Portraits $350 including makeup artist
- Family Photojournalism starting at $399
Contact Info:
- Address: 8901 Tehama Ridge Parkway, Suit 127-169
Fort Worth, Texas 76177 - Website: www.alexshelley.com
- Phone: 682-231-0271
- Email: alex@alexshelley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexshelleyphotos
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexshelleyphotos/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashelleyphotos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/alex-shelley-photography-fort-worth
Image Credit:
Alex Shelley Photography
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