Meet Alexis Peterson | Photographer & Storyteller

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

Hi Alexis, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I think that I have always been a creative but until quite recently did not know how to express my creativity. Before I went completely in with photography I was a hair stylist and before that I was a make up artist. I think I was always sub consciously searching for a creative outlet that I could also make a career. I had a lot of fun doing hair and make up but it never felt quite right for me, I didn’t have a passion for it. Photography feels so right and I wish I had pursued it sooner.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was always the girl with the camera in my hand, but it never occurred to me (until recently) that I could pursue it as a career. I loved taking photos because I wanted to remember everything. My gram had all of these photo albums of our family and we absolutely loved going through them and getting to see all our favorite people through the years. I loved that she took such pride in putting those together and honoring all of the most important people in her life. I think that always stuck with me and now that she’s gone it is so special that we have all of those albums. I think that is what photography is about for me, telling your story.

I have had the pleasure of working on a variety of projects and have worked with all kinds of people. While I enjoy every opportunity to work with people, I absolutely love to work with women. I know that I struggle a lot with being seen so when I’m working with a female client I just really focus on seeing them, the real them. I let them tell their story through their expression and I’m just there to capture it.

I got really excited about possibly being a photographer “on the the side” in 2014 when my friend Mary asked me to take her engagement photos. I was so honored and had SO much fun that day, but right after that I had my first child and that completely got shelved. Then when I had my kids I really started getting creative with taking photos. I so enjoyed taking pictures of the kids just being themselves., I wanted to be able to look back and remember them exactly as they were in that moment. I would post them on Instagram and get nice comments from people and I continued that for a couple of years. I think after Covid everyone couldn’t wait to get outside so in 2021 I started taking photos of my friends and their families playing outside and I just kept going. My friends really encouraged me during that time and gave me the confidence to go for it full time.

I know that I really struggled and still struggle with putting myself out there so that has been the most difficult part of running my own business. The fear of failure is also always in the back of my head but I have three amazing kids and I want to show them that you can do anything and you can’t let the fear of failing stop you from trying.

I’d want the world to know that I am a work in progress and I am trying my best. That I am a mother of three and they are my entire world. When I am working with families and photographing kids I often bring my seven year old daughter with me as my assistant. I love that I have am able to bring them and they can see me do what I love. I believe that my brand is authenticity. I show up as myself and I really try and encourage my clients to do the same. I am just there to quietly observe and capture the client/clients as their authentic selves, exactly as they are in that moment.

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?
I absolutely would never had taken the leap into pursuing this as a career without my village. I have definitely switched “careers” many many times over the years and I have always had encouragement. My friends and family are always there for me whenever I have a last minute crazy idea that I want to photograph and they were nothing but supportive when I started dabbling in photography. They continue to be my greatest cheer leaders and I would not have had the guts to go for it without them. I have also worked with the most amazing people and have built friendships with many of them.

Website: www.alexispetersonphotography.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/alexispetersonphoto

Image Credits
All by Alexis Peterson Photography