Meet Alex Scott | Hospitality and Portrait Photogrpaher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alex Scott and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, what role has risk played in your life or career?
For much of my life, especially in the area of vocation, I’ve avoided risks. There have been a number of times where I’ve wanted to rage-quit a service job I didn’t like and (dramatically and romantically) leave to find some creative work that felt more aligned with who I wanted to be in the world. I took a few mini-risks when I believed they would likely lead to a favorable outcome, but I never took a big leap. My primary caregiver died during my sophomore year in college, and from then on I believed I was only one misstep away from not being able to support myself. I envied my creative peers who had their parents to pay their rent if needed (or not needed) and invest in their other endeavors. For someone on their own, risk meant potential destitution.

Then, four years ago, I was laid off from my full-time job at a nonprofit. This life event brought a mix of panic and liberation. Friends would send me leads for opportunities in the non-profit space and my mood dropped every time I read the job description and looked at the starting salary. I had a choice: pursue another salaried position with a pay ceiling or architect a path of my own. I chose to create a business out of my long-time hobby of photography, while piecing together multiple income streams from service jobs to pay the bills. I’m in the middle of the design and the build — and it’s a hustle. There are moments when I panic and wonder if this new way will lead to what I hope for: ongoing creative collaboration and the financial resources to keep living in my Santa Monica apartment and buying sourdough english muffins at Erewhon. But my mindset has moved from “I need to avoid risk to avoid disappointment” to “I will probably encounter disappointment. And I may also encounter the surprise of having the life I really want.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I photograph elevated hospitality spaces—restaurants, hotels, and the people who bring them to life. I’m especially drawn to capturing authentic interactions within the space, so viewers can feel the energy and atmosphere, as if they were there themselves. What sets me apart is my core value of hospitality (I help people feel seen, heard and uniquely valued) and knack for organization and process. I used to begrudge my organizational skills because I thought they ran contrary to my creativity — but running my own business has shown me just how valuable good organization is.
Something I want people to know about my journey: it took a long time to fully commit to honoring my creative work as a career. There are still moments when I feel behind. But I’ve come to believe that everything I’ve experienced along the way — especially the jobs I’ve taken (and still take) to stay afloat — has helped shape and support the path I’m on now. Nothing has been wasted.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Best friend visit itinerary:
Food + Coffee – Rustic Canyon, Hillstone, Great White, Malibu Seafood, Leo’s Taco Truck, Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, Yala Coffee.
Wellness – Spencer’s Spa with a facial from Angelina.
Social – Dinner at my bestie’s house in Venice.
Honestly, this is just a snapshot of my personal itinerary!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my friends who have supported and championed me along the way. Hill, Mikaela, Patti, Joseph, and Carissa. And a special S/O to Jacob Grant (@jacob_grant.photography) and Jeremy Varner (@varnercreative) who have inspired and guided me as fellow photographers.

Website: https://www.byalexscott.com/

Instagram: byalexscott

Image Credits
Main photo: Jacob Grant