Inspiring Conversations with Alicia Rios of Alicia Leigh Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Rios.

Hi Alicia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
While working full-time as an elementary teacher, I found myself seeking a creative outlet outside of my day-to-day job that would be both fulfilling and also freeing. I was struggling in my job and was overall unhappy. I wanted something more. I turned to photography for the first time since College and starting my career. I always loved being behind a camera and was an admirer of photography throughout my life. You’d find me reading my camera manuals inside and out and practicing on my dog, Lucy. Once when I was really struggling and trying to figure out what I’d do if I wanted to quit teaching, someone asked me, “What do you turn to in your free time? What do you notice yourself going back to again and again?” It was photography. For years it had been. That question helped me understand the longing I was feeling. I used all my free time trying to learn more about the elements of good photography, noting what I was drawn to in an image, or trying to strengthen my knowledge of lighting and composition and figuring out how to run a business. That question echoed in me for years and shed light on things for me. I wish my brain hadn’t taken so long to catch up, honestly. Photography became the outlet that saved me from a career I no longer wanted, helped me reconnect with myself and the world around me, and led me back to happiness.

For a while, I pursued photography alongside my teaching career. I dabbled in weddings, then explored boudoir, families, seniors, couples, lifestyle, and so on. Over time, I noticed that was lit me up within was working one on one with clients, specifically women. I watched how my camera gave me the power to rebuild women’s self-esteem and self-worth, and it tugged at my heart in a new way. I was completely immersed in the moment when I was photographing someone. My mind was nowhere else. When the calling inside me became too loud to ignore, I finally began to listen to my instincts and I made a plan for how I’d be able to leave my day job and finally give this “photography” thing a real shot and my full attention. It was certainly a process for me. I’ve been full-time for just a couple of years now, and I’ve fallen in love with brand and lifestyle photography. It is the perfect combination of the things I love most, and it plays to my strengths. Sometimes now, when I think back to my teaching days, I often feel like I’m visiting a chapter of someone else’s book. It hasn’t been that long of a departure and yet I feel as though it was a lifetime ago. I’m so glad I made the leap and was finally able to bet on myself.

Alright, 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?
This journey has been at times easier than I imagined, and at others, much harder than I imagined. I am lucky in that we built a safety net before I made the transition out of my day job, knowing how much I already struggle with anxiety, so that really helped, but I think my biggest challenge has always been myself—conquering my personal doubt, anxieties, and fear. I certainly wouldn’t be here on my own. I needed lots of help finding the courage to leap off the ledge, and thankfully I had it. In the beginning, I found it was surprisingly hard to leave such a structured day job and a sense of “community.” I struggled with the lack of structure and mentorship that comes with working for someone else — there was no one to ask my questions to or to run my ideas by. It didn’t help that at the beginning, I felt like a total imposter because I had been good at teaching. I thought, “Who do I think I am to pivot and suddenly go work for myself?” I had guilt about having this opportunity to work for myself and I struggled to believe I deserved it. With time, I have grown stronger in my faith in myself and my abilities, and I’ve learned to make sure I’m doing things that are aligned with my heart and vision for myself and this business. That’s when things always feel the easiest. You have to be willing to try a lot of things knowing you don’t have the answers YET… but you’ll figure them out along the way. I’d say the hardest part is always just summoning the courage and the grit to KEEP GOING, particularly when you feel like you most want to quit.

We’ve been impressed with Alicia Leigh Photography, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am an Austin Area Brand Photographer helping you more confidently show up in life and in business with personalized branding photos that capture the heart of who you are and the joy of what you do. I help small biz owners uplevel their online presence, set themselves apart, and build credibility with their audiences in a unique and true way. I encourage women to embrace who they are, celebrate their success, and feel beautiful in their skin as I work to rebuild their self-confidence in front of the camera. I don’t just care that you love your photos — I also care that you love the experience so that you can revisit that vision of yourself in hard times. I want you to leave with your head held high, feeling supported, seen, and empowered throughout the process. Your photos should reflect the REAL you on your best day! I guide my clients through every step of the process so that they show up feeling excited instead of overwhelmed. My goal is always to have my Clients leave saying, “That was sooo much fun! I can’t wait to do it again!” and then to be shocked and awed when they see their photos and realize that that IS indeed them and that they’ve been captured beautifully and authentically. It lights my heart up.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’d say I’m pretty risk-averse. Usually, ha. As a person who has always struggled with anxiety and over-analyzing, I’ve had to push myself out of my comfort zone time and time again. But, I’ve had a lot of help in doing that– I can’t at all say I’ve done it alone. My husband has been such a huge supporter and he’s often helped push me off the ledge before I thought my wings were ready. Thank goodness for that. I think there’s a difference between calculated risk for your own growth and just being recklessly risky. As the quote goes: “Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” When it has just become too painful not to change, the risk is certainly worth it. That is when it’s time and necessary. Calculate as much as you can, leap and let go, and then trust that things are always working out for you.

Contact Info:

• Email: alicia@alicialeighphoto.com
• Website: www.alicialeighphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicialeighphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alicialeighphoto
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/alicialeighphoto/_saved/

Image Credits
Holly Marie Photography (the photo taken of me) Alicia Leigh Photography (all other photos)