Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Koreivo.
Hi Alexandra, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Throughout my childhood, I was always the girl with the camera. I think I received a new digital camera of some fort every single year for Christmas. At this point, I was not at ALL good. I mean the amount of blackmail selfies I have on my friends, it’s a good thing iPhones didn’t exist yet…(unfortunately for me and my friends, MySpace did).
Flash forward years into my undergrad of college, Pinterest was the great media of the time, full of photos of foods, decor, and weddings of my dreams. I continued to become so fascinated with family and wedding photography as looking at those photos that make you feel a certain way could sometimes even change my mood that day.
After graduating my undergrad (which is in healthcare and has nothing to do with photography), I got my first DSLR. Through youtube videos and trial and error, I taught myself to use manual mode. As time went on, I worked full time in healthcare and worked on getting my master’s on the weekends in healthcare. I was SO immersed in learning for my career, photography became my escape.
I advanced my photography education by starting to pay for courses and closely following some successful photographers closely including Katelyn James and Amy and Jordan Demos. I began offering sessions to local people in my community, and it took off, people loved my work and it sparked a passion in me that was undeniable.
Today, I am an occupational therapist, but started my own photography business, specializing in weddings and families. I continue to educated myself to advance my photography work, but my business continues to be my life’s passion. I believe there are no limits for how much it can grow from here.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being that I began offering sessions while working full time and earning my masters full time, time for when I could do sessions and edit photos stunted my growth in the beginning.
Also, throughout my time of my first session, until today, I have moved to 3 different states. Each move, I have to find a new set of clients and spread the word about my company. Meaning my growth has never been linear but more so comes in spurts.
Of course, COVID was also a bit of a setback. I had just moved to Austin, TX in November of 2019. While January and February are typically slow months, spreading the word about my business and finding customers who were ready for in person sessions as COVID began seemed near impossible, but I continued to use my social medias and previous material to help spread the word and this year will now be my most profitable yet.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
While I currently still offer family sessions, Weddings and couples is my passion.
I believe, being an extremely detail-oriented person, I not only am able to create images that make viewers feel a certain way, but I pride myself on being with my brides every step of the way.
To completely partner with my couples to create a successful the day of timeline, while reassuring my couples that I will direct them entirely, when they report being camera shy, to taking advantage of situations rather than being a passive onlooker on wedding days in order to ensure my couples get the photos they want and love, I believe I provide an exceptional experience, along with the beautiful photos.
Also, I’m actually in touch with and stay friends with nearly all my past couples! After all, your photographer is usually the person you’re with the most on your wedding day, so make sure to pick one you like!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding educational courses that are similar to your style. For me, my education has also paid for a network that I’m a part of on Facebook and its been a great resource to find even other local photographers with a similar style to me, some of which, I’ve even been able to work an event with in the past.
Pricing:
- Full wedding day – starts at $1800
- Mini Session – starts at $190
Contact Info:
- Email: alexannphotos@gmail.com
- Website: alexannphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexannphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexannphotography
Image Credits:
Alex Koreivo of Alex Ann Photography
