Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Shelton.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alex. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I remember anticipating sophomore year of high school when you were finally eligible to register for choice electives and I knew I wanted to take every photography class they offered. I became hooked and absorbed as much as I could and went on to join the yearbook photography team. I fell in love with film and processing my own work in the darkroom for class, while yearbook provided the opportunity to learn digital work and contribute to something long-lasting.
Throughout college, early motherhood, and the start of my “real career”, I found myself daydreaming about photography often, wishing I could’ve continued in some capacity. I missed the creative challenge and the opportunity to connect with and celebrate other people. Knowing this little suppressed secret, my husband surprised me one Mother’s Day with my first DSLR camera and gear. I used that entry-level camera to document everything for years, adding a new prime lens or a small piece of gear here and there for myself. Yet, when the thought of doing more came to mind, I hid behind the all-too-often excuses of time, work, money, the kids, etc.
On my 29th birthday, I made a shift. I was proud of my career and family, but when reflecting on my twenties and my former aspirations, becoming a “real” photographer stood out above all else. Thanks to discovering the influence of several inspiring women like, Rachel Hollis and her Made For More campaign, Jenna Kutcher’s Goaldigger podcast, Sophia Amoruso’s Girl Boss radio and Jen Hatmaker’s books, I decided that I was going to go all in and bring my photography business to life before I turned thirty.
Over the next few months, I invested deeply into courses from some of the nation’s leading photographers that I admired, all new gear and equipment, and basic business supplies. I poured into it every evening and when I felt confident enough, I took it to social media. The overwhelming amount of support, kind words, and inquiries that came pouring in confirmed that this long-awaited dream was meant to be.
“That thing that you can’t quite get out of your head, that creeps in every so often and makes you think ‘What If?’, that’s the universe telling you what you’re supposed to do.” This is a common wisdom shared by the women mentioned above that I think everyone needs to be reminded of.
Great, 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?
Boot-strapping a business from the ground up with no previous business experience is a long series of hurdles from the start. I knew I’d need to figure out a streamlined system for client communication, invoicing, scheduling and those types of things, but I was not prepared for the world of contracts, insurance, marketing, brand design, and capital! Every day is a huge learning curve, which is the biggest struggle when your time is limited.
Like most entrepreneurs starting out, I’ve chosen to maintain my original full-time career until the foundation of this new path is sufficiently independent. Add in two small children with multiple after-school activities and the to-do list becomes almost too daunting. Fortunately, there are so many resources out there now to help navigate the rapidly growing percentage of young entrepreneurs, that it’s not difficult to find the answers or solutions. Podcasts have really become my favorite learning tool. In the words of John Acuff, “Don’t quit your day job…yet.” Navigating the transition successfully is the next greatest challenge after startup, especially when you have a family counting on you.
Please tell us about Alex Shelton Photography.
I consider myself a traveling, Texas-based lifestyle photographer for couples, families, and self-proclaimed ‘boss babes’! My mission is to travel the globe documenting life’s most precious milestones. My favorite services to provide are weddings and newborn lifestyle sessions, but I’ve discovered a love for ‘mommy & me sessions’ as well as branding photography this year. Showing a
Whether I’m serving a newly engaged couple, new parents, or a new business owner, I take pride in knowing that my clients feel like they’re working with a trusted friend celebrating them in their journey alongside them, rather than a transactional service provider. I think getting to know my clients on a personal level, educating and helping them through the process, and creating authentic moments for them to be themselves make their experience worthwhile.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
It’s a mashup of group camping trips with my dad all over Texas, exploring the little picturesque streams and shops in the town in England where he’s from, and spontaneous outings my mom would surprise us with. They really are to blame for my sense of adventure and travel bug!
Contact Info:
- Website: alexsheltonphotography@gmail.com
- Email: alexsheltonphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: @alexsheltonphotography
- Facebook: Alex Shelton Photography
Image Credit:
Alex Shelton Photography
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