Meet Alyssa Fioravanti | Photographer

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

Hi Alyssa, how do you think about risk?
I like this question a lot because I don’t think life should be about playing it “safe”. I grew up watching my dad take big risks and stand up for what’s right. If he was in an unhealthy work situation he would bounce…without a safety net. He had enough faith in himself and believed taking risks will lead you where you need to go. So growing up in that environment, he would always say to me, what’s the scariest thing…they say no? So when fear creeps in, I think to myself well, what’s the worst that can happen?

I look at taking risks as just another opportunity to expand myself. Big risks, big rewards mentally.

One rewarding thought comes to mind, I reached out to a haircare brand and pitched them an idea to shoot in Mexico. They approved. I shot some awesome images and they ended up wanting those images on billboards in LA and NYC. That was a really rewarding full circle moment. If I didn’t take a risk and reached out, my images wouldn’t have been out in the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Growing up, I didn’t know having a career as a photographer was even possible. I thought studying graphic design would be the safest creative option after college. I worked as a graphic designer for a few startups and once Instagram launched, the company I was working for needed photography. They asked If I wanted to shoot and I jumped at the opportunity. That lead me to my next job as an in-house photographer for another startup brand. Looking back, I’m extremely grateful to have shot as much as I did with very little experience. I learned leaps and bounds.

Working in-house for a few years was really demanding and I just needed a break. I lost my love for photography. I decided to take a job as a Beauty Producer with POPSUGAR. I’m so grateful for that opportunity. I was surrounded by such incredible humans who really believed in my eye. I loved producing, pitching, art directing, and working with dps and editors.

That job led to company layoffs which looking back was such a blessing. I’ve been thinking about going back to photography and starting my freelance journey for so long. I was afraid to take that unknown step, but with this nudge, I jumped and trusted everything would work out. I believe once you put it out there and talk about it, doors will open and if it’s meant to be it will be. That was 2019 and I’m proud to still be on this crazy journey!

I’ve learned a lot more going through losing my mother to cancer than actually anything work related. The same week I went freelance, she was diagnosed with stage 4. You learn quickly to live in the present and how that’s the greatest gift we can give to ourselves. Before this, I used to stress about the small things on shoots if it didn’t go as planned. But nothing ever really goes as planned in photography or life. Being a photographer is about being on your toes at all times and improvising. Going through this experience changed how I interact with my subjects. It’s made me a completely different human being. I really try to take a moment to create a calm creative environment for people to feel good in. Checking in with my subjects is the most important thing for me. You really only have about a few minutes to capture something authentic. It’s more about energy than anything else.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this! LA is so magical. I’m always bringing my people to Malibu and Topanga. Endless Color pizza is a vibe. Hiking anywhere in Topanga is pure joy. And letting my dog run free on any beach in Malibu is so fun. If you’re on the westside the best happy hour menu is Manchester – their burgers are insane. You can’t beat a live show at the Greek or Orpheum and before I would grab some Kazunori hand rolls. In weho, I would go to a Groundlings show and eat at Petty Cash’s…I love their pulpo tacos. For a wellness moment, I would take friends to Pause Studio. I love their float tank.

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?
Let’s start from the beginning and thank my beautiful parents for letting me steal their cameras and shoot whatever I wanted when I was young. They gave me the freedom to be a weird kid who could push their creativity. That leads to my sister, who I made to be my model for years and years. I thank her for her patience and kindness. Definitely in more recent years couldn’t have done all of this without my incredible fiancé Danny Duran. He loves photography more than anyone I know. He’s beyond talented and helps me process out loud…color, lighting, art direction etc. Danny is my favorite creative partner and now life partner! woo!

Website: https://www.alyssafior.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssafior/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-fioravanti/

Image Credits
Teo Marcelle Isha Gounder Madi and Tom Brosnahan Kennedy + Son Tisha Custodio