Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandra Perez.
Hi Alejandra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
For me photography was always a passion of mine. In high school, I would always have a disposable camera on hand capturing all our rallies, dances, and many, many memories with friends.
After high school, I got a basic point-and-shoot, and my dad bought me photoshop. I was very bad at it as I have been self-taught all my life. Nonetheless, I always had a mission to create a whimsical image. I started constantly photographing my firstborn son named Anthony. I loved capturing his life through the imagination of a child. Children see life differently than us adults do and therefore, I want to bring that imagination to life with my images.
Soon after my second son Aj was born and once he was walking it was even more fun capturing their little creative play. When my boys were five & four years old, I decided I wanted to learn photography and photoshop at a deeper level and one day turn it into my dream job. Little did I know I would have such great support from my community and clients who have referred me new clients and many have stuck with me throughout my growth! It started with family, friends of the family and anyone who would let me practice my passion on!
Then one Christmas my family decided to buy me my first DSLR (Nikon D5200) it was a game changer and a moment for me to realize, “I can do this!” I also began photographing people I didn’t know. I remember doing my first maternity and soon after the newborn in my home studio. I knew newborns are fragile and must be handled safely and with care. So I never attempted a pose I wasn’t comfortable with. This is what made me realize I want to work primarily with newborn and children. I just love children and the imagination they bring into this world.
I actually went to college to be a preschool teacher did my units and all but never pursued it. In February of 2017, I had my daughter Amila. With now becoming a family of five we really needed my studio to become one of my kid’s bedrooms, so it pushed me to find a commercial space and fast! Then one day as I was coming home from my 9-5 I decided to drive by a location I had checked out two yrs prior but chickened out & never got it. To my surprise it was AVAILABLE!!!! I couldn’t believe it! I called the landlord right away and paid my deposit for it the next day! It was now official.
My dream of owning my own studio was now a reality! My family and kids could not have been more prouder of me for taking that leap of faith that proved to be the best decision of my life! I now get to work with teeny newborns and children as my career! And I get to watch my daughter grow and show up to my kid’s school events as I’m able to create my own schedule.
For anyone doubting their purpose in this life trusts me when I say take that risk! It will either help you grow or help you learn but never fail!
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?
It’s now been about four years since I opened up my own studio. Some of the struggles have been organization. I have so many adorable props and hardly any space for storage. As a newborn/ child photographer I have many many props big and small.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
So my professional title is a professional newborn/child/ family photographer. I specialize mainly in newborns up to 1 year. I’m known as “the baby whisperer” because I can get sleepy newborn pictures up babies well past the “newborn” stage. I’m known for photographing “older newborns” (up to four months old) like a newborn. So mamas don’t ever have to feel like they missed out. I think what sets me apart is my outfits and the fact I photograph older newborns. I hand-make my own outfits for the babies.
What are your plans for the future?
In the near future, I want to be able to have a bigger studio space & offer mentorship. A few years ago I wanted to be able to make my own custom maternity gowns and just recently I have made that goal a reality.
Pricing:
- $250 sitting fee
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sweetpixelzphotography.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sweet_pixelzphotography?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
