Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander Rivera.
Hi Alexander, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Guatemala and moved to the United States in my early adult years, chasing the dream of better opportunities. In 2018, I decided to start over and moved to Massachusetts to live with my father. Those first years were full of change — learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, and finding my place in this country.
Since I was a kid, I was always drawn to art, even if I didn’t fully realize it at the time. Growing up in Guatemala, art wasn’t something that was often encouraged — people focused more on survival and practicality — but I was always the creative one. I loved drawing, building things, and watching educational shows and documentaries on channels like National Geographic, Discovery, and Animal Planet. Looking back, I think that curiosity shaped the way I see the world today.
I always loved photography, but I had never touched a professional camera back in Guatemala. I used whatever I had — mostly phone cameras — just to experiment with composition and light.
After a couple of years in the U.S., I went through a period of uncertainty about what I wanted to do. I tried many jobs — from construction with my father to warehouse work at Amazon — but nothing felt fulfilling. I lived near the border of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, spending a lot of time in Providence. One day, while walking downtown, I saw a wedding party — everyone was dressed elegantly, full of emotion and joy, following a photographer who looked so passionate and proud of his work. That moment changed everything for me. I thought, “I want to live that feeling for the rest of my life.”
That vision woke something up inside me. I realized that in this country, opportunities are everywhere — you just have to start. I was taking English classes at the time, saving every dollar I could for months until I could buy my first DSLR: a Canon Rebel T7i. I didn’t know how to use it yet, but I had already watched hundreds of tutorials and reviews online, preparing for the moment I could finally hold it in my hands.
It was a big risk — I didn’t have much money, and photography wasn’t bringing income yet — but it felt like a personal gift to myself. I started practicing with friends from my English class who, like me, were young immigrants learning and trying to build a life here. One of them, Emily, loved photos, and we spent weekends exploring and shooting around new places. That’s how I began to learn — by experimenting, failing, and falling in love with creating.
Soon after, word started spreading among friends and families who needed a photographer for their events. I said yes to everything, even if I was still learning. I charged very little at first — maybe $200 for a wedding or $500 for a quinceañera — but every event made me better.
During one of those early events, I met a filmmaker Josh who became an important connection and later introduced me to Gaby, one of the most talented and successful luxury wedding Filmmaker in the Northeast. She took the time to mentor me, bringing me along to incredible weddings in places like Newport, Rhode Island — events that looked straight out of a movie.
At that time, it had been less than a year since I bought my first camera, but Gaby believed in me. With every new opportunity, I upgraded my gear, watched countless hours of tutorials, and practiced nonstop. I became obsessed with mastering every tool and refining my craft. Eventually, my calendar filled up with my own clients, while I continued second-shooting for Gaby on high-end weddings. She trusted me so much that she later asked me to photograph her own wedding in Los Cabos, Mexico — an unforgettable honor.
That experience gave me confidence. I started joining photography and filmmaking communities online, where I continued learning and connecting with other creatives. Through one of those groups, I met Vincent — a world-traveling filmmaker and photographer who later became my mentor and a close friend.
Vincent saw one of my comments about his wedding film and decided to check my Instagram. He messaged me, telling me he liked my work, which at that time were mostly portraits and landscapes I had done for fun. I couldn’t believe that someone so experienced saw potential in me. Later, he asked if I was available to travel for photography work — and that question changed my life.
My first major opportunity with Vincent and his wife, Chie, came in Las Vegas. We worked together on a large corporate event, and they took the time to teach me everything about this new world. That’s when I realized that weddings had been the best training ground for this — because weddings teach you speed, precision, and storytelling under pressure.
From that moment, things started to take off. Together with Vincent, I’ve now photographed and filmed some of the biggest corporate conferences in the U.S., including HLTH and Money20/20 in Las Vegas — world-class events filled with energy, technology, and innovation.
But perhaps one of the most meaningful experiences of my career so far happened recently, when I had the honor of documenting the 50th wedding anniversary of the Sciame family in New York City — a family whose name is deeply tied to the city’s architectural legacy. Through their company, Sciame Construction, they’ve been behind some of Manhattan’s most iconic projects: the Louis Vuitton and Dior flagships on 57th Street, The Morgan Library, and The Shed. Photographing such an intimate and historic celebration for a family that has literally helped shape New York felt surreal.
That event also connected me with incredible vendors and creatives in NYC’s luxury scene — people I’m still in touch with today and hope to collaborate with again soon.
Two months ago, I made another big move — this time to Austin, Texas. After 3 years of traveling and working in so many cities, I wanted to live somewhere that inspired me to keep creating and growing. It’s also the first time I have my own apartment, which feels like a big step personally and professionally. Within just a month here, I’ve already met other talented creatives and started working on exciting new projects.
Today, I’m proud to say I’ve built a career that spans luxury weddings, commercial campaigns, and high-end corporate events — all driven by the same goal: tell stories, make art, and enjoy my job.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. One of the biggest challenges in my career has been feeling misunderstood — especially in the early years. Coming from a traditional background, many people, including some family members and friends, didn’t really believe that photography could be a stable or successful career. I often heard things like, “You can’t make a living from that,” or “Be realistic, get a real job.”
Those comments were discouraging and sometimes made me doubt myself. But over time, I learned to turn that doubt into fuel — to prove, not to others, but to myself, that passion combined with discipline can become something real and sustainable.
Another major challenge was adapting to a completely new culture. When I moved to the U.S., I had to learn not only the language but also how to navigate and understand the creative industry here. I had to “Americanize” myself in a sense — learning what clients expect, how the business works, and how to communicate effectively in English, which is still something I continue to improve every day.
All of these experiences — the cultural adjustments, the language barriers, and the lack of initial support — shaped me into someone more resilient, adaptable, and deeply committed to this craft.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve worked across different industries in the world of photography, collaborating with other photographers and filmmakers, and I genuinely love exploring multiple niches. At this point, I consider myself an expert in international corporate event photography, and I’m also specializing in luxury wedding photography.
This year, I’m especially proud of two major projects in these fields.
In New York City, I had the honor of photographing the 50th anniversary of the Sciame family, one of the city’s most respected names in architecture and construction. Their company, Sciame Construction, has been behind some of Manhattan’s most iconic projects — including the Louis Vuitton and Dior flagships on 57th Street, as well as cultural landmarks like The Morgan Library and The Shed.
On the corporate side, I had the privilege of photographing Money20/20 in Las Vegas — one of the most important global conferences in the world of finance and technology, where industry leaders and innovators gather every year.
I’m fortunate to work alongside incredibly talented photographers and creatives in both of these industries, which has become my main source of inspiration and growth. In my free time, I love experimenting with other genres such as fashion, travel, hospitality, landscape, and motorsport — areas that fuel my creativity and passion for visual storytelling.
Among the creative communities I’ve connected with, people often describe me as an artistic photographer who can adapt and deliver across multiple disciplines and styles of production.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Adaptability. As an immigrant, I had to learn a new language, culture, and industry from zero. That ability to adjust and grow has shaped my entire career.
A huge commitment to learning. I never stop watching tutorials, taking courses, and pushing myself to master every tool and technique.
Perseverance. There were many moments when giving up would’ve been easier, but staying committed through difficult times made all the difference.
Passion. I genuinely love what I do, and that love translates into the way I shoot, edit, and tell stories.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alxfreelance.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alx.vibes/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-rivera-photo/
Image Credits
-Money 20/20 USA
-HLTH USA
-Trophy Wives co
-Big Event Media
-Sciame
