Today we’d like to introduce you to German Alexander.
German , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I actually started my creative journey behind a screen, not behind a camera. Before I ever picked up photography, I spent about a year teaching myself Photoshop. I was obsessed with understanding every tool…what it did, why it existed, and how it could change an image. It wasn’t easy at all in the beginning. A lot of it felt overwhelming and confusing, but I stuck with it until things finally started to click.
The real turning point came unexpectedly. I went to a photoshoot with my partner (Lady MaCallan) and shared an idea with the photographer. He declined. It wasn’t meant to be a big moment, but I took it personally…not out of ego, but because I realized I wanted to be the one creating, not just imagining. I told my partner that day that I wanted to get into photography, period. She didn’t think I was serious at first, but she believed in me enough to help me get my first camera.
First camera: (Nikon D810)
First lens: (Nikkor 50mm 1.8)
From there, I dove in headfirst. I taught myself how to shoot entirely in manual mode, researched nonstop, and studied photographers whose work genuinely moved me. Two people in particular shaped my early growth..Renee Robyn and Aaron Nace. They became my biggest mentors from afar. Their ability to break down both shooting and editing in a way that actually made sense completely changed the game for me. Through them, I learned techniques that not only improved my technical skills but also helped me see photography as art, not just images.
Once I understood the techniques, I stopped trying to copy and started experimenting. That’s when my own style began to emerge. From there, I just kept building…refining my eye, trusting my instincts, and letting curiosity lead the way. What started as frustration turned into passion, and that passion eventually became the foundation for everything I do today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The hardest part by far was learning Photoshop in the beginning. It was frustrating, technical, and at times overwhelming. But I made a very intentional decision early on…if I could learn the most difficult part first, everything else would feel more manageable. I believed that if I truly understood how to build an image in post production, then learning photography with a camera would come more naturally and it did.
Once I picked up a camera, I went straight into shooting in full manual mode. Within about a week, I had a solid understanding of how it worked. Manual mode is very technical, but it’s also the most important foundation a photographer can learn. I intentionally avoided relying on automatic or semi automatic settings because I wanted full control….control over light, depth of field, and the overall feel of an image.When you understand how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together, you stop guessing and start creating with intention.
The struggle wasn’t just technical, though. It was pushing through the confusion, the trial and error, and the moments of self doubt. But every challenge sharpened my skills and confidence. Looking back, those difficult early stages are exactly what gave me the control, creativity, and clarity I rely on today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been working in photography for about 11 years, but creativity has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I was always drawing, and music played a huge role in my upbringing. I come from a family of musicians…. my grandfather, grandmother, and uncles all played, so creating was never something I had to search for, it was something I naturally gravitated toward. I was a musician myself for about 15 years, and that background trained me to think creatively, emotionally, and rhythmically. In my mind, I’ve always been someone who can see ideas clearly in my head, shape them, and then share something beautiful with the world.
One of the moments I’m most proud of came from a photoshoot that started as pure creative expression. I photographed an 11 year old cosplayer who wanted to portray Pennywise from Stephen King’s It. This was before the new film adaptation directed by Andy Muschietti was released. The images took on a life of their own… major news outlets around the world picked up the story, from ABC World News to countless international platforms. Seeing something I created resonate globally was surreal, and receiving a compliment from Andy Muschietti himself was an unforgettable validation of the work.
I don’t limit myself to one specific niche. I consider myself a well rounded photographer, though I primarily shoot boudoir. Halloween is an especially exciting time for me creatively, people invest heavily in costumes, and it gives me the freedom to experiment, tell stories, and push concepts in a playful but artistic way.
What truly sets me apart is the level of care I put into my work, especially in post-production. I’m extremely observant and admittedly a bit obsessive when it comes to analyzing my images. I strive for a balance, refining and perfecting without crossing into anything that feels artificial or over-edited. I never want someone to look at a photo and think, “That doesn’t look like me.” My goal is for them to see themselves, just elevated, confident, beautiful, and authentic.
Editing is where I believe many photographers fall short, and it’s one of the areas where I take the most pride. I don’t just take photos… I finish them with intention. When clients receive their images, I want them to feel seen and empowered. If my work gives someone a boost of confidence or a renewed sense of self, that means just as much to me as the image itself.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’m very much a believer in taking risks…. it’s a core part of how I create. For me, risk isn’t about being careless, it’s about refusing to place mental limits on what’s possible. Some of my favorite images come from situations where the concept feels slightly uncomfortable or unfamiliar, whether that’s photographing someone in an abandoned building or encouraging a subject to try something they’ve never done before. Those moments often produce the most honest and powerful work.
I’ve never been interested in playing it safe creatively. I make a conscious effort not to give myself mental blocks. If there’s something I haven’t tried, I see it as an opportunity to learn, not a reason to hesitate. I truly believe we never stop learning, and growth only happens when you’re willing to step outside what feels easy or predictable.
That mindset applies to me personally as well. I’m willing to put myself in uncomfortable situations if that’s what it takes to get the shot. If an image requires extra effort, unconventional locations, or a level of personal risk, I’m open to it…as long as it’s intentional and meaningful to the story being told. Hypothetically speaking, if the concept called for capturing a mermaid performer with a great white shark in the background, I’d be the one willing to step into the shark cage to make that vision real.
For me, risk is where originality lives. It’s the difference between creating something that’s simply “good” and creating something that people can’t stop looking at.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://germanalexanderphotography.godaddysites.com/
- Instagram: Germanalexanderphotography
- Facebook: Germanalexanderproduction
Image Credits
German Alexander
Photographer/ Retoucher
