Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Stiles.
Alexandra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a little girl it has always been my dream to model. I grew up watching Americas Next Top Model, and I was so inspired to make that my reality. I am unfortunately on the shorter side barely reaching 5”7, so as you can assume I’ve had a hard time making it into an agency. I ended up discouraged and I started focusing my time on other things. Luckily people believed in me, when I didn’t even believe in myself. Last summer, I had a photographer named Richard Martinez reach out to me through Instagram and asked to take pictures of me, I of course said yes. I never expected anything to come from the photoshoot. He asked me if he could post my pictures in a few local photography groups around the DFW, I said yes again. All of a sudden my inbox was flooding with messages from random photographers. I started shooting a few times not thinking much of it. Then my inbox went dry. So my hustle began, I started researching local photographers through social media. I reached out to as many people as I could, every shoot I did I would ask a photographer to correct me, asking for pointers. I quickly realized photographers love concepts, and if you could get them excited about a concept, the more inclined they would be to shoot. I like to take my concepts one step further and personalize them to my life. When you can relate to what you’re doing, you can sell the look so much more. I love artistic makeup and creative props, they bring the shoot one step further. I am finally at the point where I have a team, I have set photographers I work with for my inspirations and even the best makeup artist Cindy Ho. Teaming up with Cindy has allowed me to move to the next level to show case not only mine but her own creative visions. I love being able to represent someone else’s idea, or work by being the model.
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?
The biggest struggle I faced was when I was first getting started, I had no idea where to begin. I was fortunate enough to have people reach out to me to shoot me. However this would only end up being 4 shoots to begin to compose my portfolio. I wanted to shoot 2- 3 times a week. So I started marketing myself posting in different group pages, reaching out to people on Facebook, Instagram, and networking through friends. The hardest thing to me now is finding new concepts and really making them my own in ways other people haven’t necessarily interpreted them before. I spend a lot of time planning and coordinating my shoots.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about StyledbyStiles – what should we know?
My brand is StyledbyStiles, as I go by Stiles in the industry. What sets me apart from others is I bring more to the table then just showing up and looking pretty. I bring concepts, makeup, hair, clothes, stories behind the pictures, and I coordinate almost every shoot I do. I learned the difference between every day makeup and photoshoot makeup. I have learned to do updo’s and sleek hairstyles, anything that could potentially make my photos look more polished, I have learned it. I don’t even get my nails done anymore simply so I can match them to each shoot I do. I work out everyday so my body looks perfect, I have bought all types of extensions so my short hair wouldn’t stop me. I have changed my entire skin care routines just so I can have better skin for photos. I do not know how many times I have scratched myself up, or been freezing just to get the perfect shot. I have done rain photoshoots in 40 degree weather, I have walked miles for the perfect location. I do what it takes to get the best shot possible. This is my passion, and I will forever put my entire heart into it.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Perseverance is one of the most important disciplines to have in this industry. Many people will turn you down, or simply just ignore you. People try to push you to uncomfortable limits. Believe in yourself and know in your heart that if you want something always fight for it, always work for it. One of my bosses when I was in outside sales told me the best thing I live by to this day. He told me a story about how he wanted to make it into “Presidents’ Club” which was an award of achievement accompanied by a paid vacation at ADP (company), and he was talking to his boss upset about how he did not make it. His boss then asked him why he felt like he deserved to go. He responded with “I want it more than anything.” That right there is the problem, no matter how badly you want something, all that matters is how hard you work for it. From then on I kept quiet, kept my head down low, and started tirelessly working to get where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Email: alexandra_stiles@aol.com
Image Credit:
Hector Reyes
IG: Hectors.images
Vu Man
Facebook: Vu Man
Cindy Ho
IG: Cindyhomakeupartistry
Facebook : Cindy Ho Makeup Artistry
Jamie house
IG: @Jamie_house
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