Story & Lesson Highlights with Oxana Aleksov of Los Angeles

We recently had the chance to connect with Oxana Aleksov and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Oxana , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
For many years photographers on social media would ask me if I teach, mentor, or have a platform where they could learn from me. Deep down I wanted to do it, but I was afraid. English is my second language, I’m naturally shy, and I doubted whether I would be a good teacher. So I kept saying “maybe one day.”

Now I feel called to do the thing I used to fear. Over the last year I started building a new project with a friend of mine who happens to be one of the leading newborn photographers in America. Together we are creating courses both for photographers and for regular people.

For photographers we dive into lighting, business shortcuts, how to break into the industry, and what actually matters to succeed. For everyday people we teach how to take beautiful photos at home — with whatever camera they have, even just a phone. We cover natural light, posing, styling, creative direction, props, working with toddlers, and everything that makes images feel magical and professional.

So what I’m being called to do now is teach, lead, and share what I know. It’s exactly what once scared me, and that’s why it feels so meaningful now.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Oxana, and my business name is Oxana Alex Photography and I’m a photographer specializing in maternity, motherhood, and family portraits. Maternity was my very first niche, and it has shaped my entire brand. I’ve always been drawn to capturing that magical time in a woman’s life — it’s intimate, emotional, and full of transformation. Creating those memories for my clients and knowing they will treasure them for years truly means the world to me.

Over time, my brand has expanded beyond maternity into headshots, branding photography, and fashion work. Recently, I shot a full campaign for a wedding gown designer with models, hair and makeup, and a full creative team. It was an amazing experience to bring someone’s vision to life on a larger scale.

Right now, I’m also working on an educational project — launching courses for both photographers and everyday people. I believe everyone should know how to capture the beauty in their lives, especially parents, because babies grow so fast. We teach lighting, posing, styling, and how to work with children so people can take great photos at home, even with just a phone.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
What taught me the most about work was investing in my own education and staying extremely dedicated. When I decided to become a photographer, especially in the maternity niche, I started with formal courses — for example, I studied general photography at UCLA. But maternity photography is its own specialty, so I knew I needed more.

What helped me the most was seeking mentorship from photographers whose work I admired. I traveled for workshops and one-on-one training, sometimes very far — from the South of France in lavender fields, to New York, to Canada, and across the U.S. I also worked with private tutors for Photoshop and took Lightroom and post-production classes at Sammy’s Camera.

Putting all of that together taught me discipline, craft, and professional standards. I’m very dedicated and when I become passionate about something, I study it deeply. That combination of structured learning, mentorship, and personal discipline shaped my work the most.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that held me back the most was self-doubt. I’ve always been my own biggest critic, and for a long time I constantly compared myself to other photographers or even people outside my industry. I would look at their talent and achievements and think, “They’re incredible, I’ll never be like that.”

I had to learn that the comparison destroys creativity. The moment I stopped measuring myself against other people and started focusing on developing my own style, things changed. Believing in yourself, embracing your uniqueness, and trusting your own voice is what makes you stand out and succeed.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
For a long time I felt like the public version of me had to be very polished. I was always self-critical — especially about how I looked or how I spoke, since English is my second language. If something wasn’t perfect, I wouldn’t post it. I didn’t like hearing my own voice, and I was afraid of not appearing “put together.”

Recently I’ve been embracing the real me much more. Sometimes my English isn’t perfect, sometimes I don’t love how I look that day, but I still share it. I want people to relate to me as a real human being — a mom, a business owner, someone who juggles many things — not just a perfect social media image.

So today I would say yes, the public version of me is real, and I’m trying to show the authentic version more and more. No filters, no over-editing — just me.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace when my life is balanced. I run my own business, I’m a mom, and I also prioritize a healthy lifestyle — working out, hiking, and taking time for myself. When those areas are in harmony and I’m giving equal energy to my work, my children, and my own well-being, that’s when I feel peaceful and truly happy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oxanaalexphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oxanaalexphotography/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oxanaalexphotography
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/oxana-alex-photography-los-angeles
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@oxanaalexphotography5873
• Other: https://www.roxamina.com my educational website

Image Credits
Credit for the photo Sarah Orbanic