Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Berardi.
Alexis, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was in high school, I took an audio/video editing class. I had never so much as picked up a real camera, but was interested in learning more technical things for my traditional art. I loved the course so much that the next school year I took that same teacher’s course for Photoshop and Premiere. I was an ambitious student, and my teacher, Mr. Wright, encouraged me. I was very bullied all through school, even by teachers, so having a single teacher convince me I’m talented changed my world. I formed a Youtube troupe, where myself and some other kids made Youtube videos for class projects and for fun. I started collecting costumes and props, I learned about storyboards, scriptwriting, everything! Being a Thespian theatre kid absolutely colored some of the art I created, bringing in surreal ideas I loved within some plays I performed in.
For my graduation present, my Dad gifted me my first camera– a Nikon D70. I’d say that’s where things changed, and I dropped the video stuff to photograph friends around town. A merchandise model had commissioned me for a shoot, and I realized there were many facets of photography, outside of regular portraiture and landscapes. I searched the internet for what model agencies look for in photos but got different answers. Keen to learn about this new world, I auditioned for a Houston modeling agency in 2013, not expecting anything other than being told what they needed from me, so that I could provide that to the model I was helping; They ended up choosing me as a model. Into the modeling world I went!
For the next several years, my focus was on raising my babies and working, but I always performed all of my art talents in every way I possibly could, published a poem, started networking, shooting charity sessions. I joined forums, learned everything I could, watched all the videos! I moved to Austin for six months and found my way into a music video, a commercial, and then an infomercial. I really felt anything was possible at this point, and it empowered me to find more opportunities for myself, concerning all aspects of my Art. It’s been a wild ride, but I’m obsessed, and I’m happy and fulfilled being a Creator, and a Muse.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In school, being the black sheep meant I didn’t get much of a chance to put myself out there. I definitely had to learn to reside with my discomfort and really put myself into the view of others. I studied a lot, I was always reading how-to’s, always staring into the depths of photos I loved that were popular to figure out what made them SO incredible, asking for feedback, and shooting images and videos.
I did endure abuse as an adult, and it placed a big gap in my creations, a few times. It gave me the tools to communicate with people like me, who had also suffered, and turned me into a significantly more brave person, alongside (at the risk of seeming ironic) a new sort of empowerment. I felt that I could create things to help others find their light, and offer an experience of comfort, trust, and mutual respect. I wanted to create respectful work, that broke the stereotypes people place on creators and their individual works. It’s taken a lot to figure out how to get the finished product in my head, into my hands, but by gosh, we are here!
Please tell us about Unikorn Media.
UNIKORN Media was not always named so, but with the shift in my style and my goals, I knew I needed a brand that conveyed my bizarre portfolio and ideas. I operate almost alone, save for the help my partner, Nolan, offers when needed during sessions, or modeling alongside me. He is the “engineer” behind some tricky works! I offer photography, modeling, acting/crewing, performance (poi/dance/theatre), art commissions of most mediums, modeling assistance, wardrobe/prop rental, and writing/copywriting. It’s not as insane as it sounds, really. I’ve been at this for a while now, and have always enjoyed staying busy. I feel it’s important to ensure all ideas and voices are heard, and talents witnessed; We prioritize collaborations with LGBTQ+ and People of Color, and have had the most passionate and sincere experiences!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Nothing. The Journey to get right here holds immense significance, and my work would not be shaped the way it is, had things been simpler, or more straight-forward.
Pricing:
- Mini Session/30min/3img – $80
- Model/Muse – $35/hr
- Events/Performance – $100/hr
- Full Art Photoshoot/1hr/8img – $300
Contact Info:
- Email: unikornimages@outlook.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/the.unikorn
- Facebook: facebook.com/unikornart
- Other: modelmayhem.com/theunikorn
Image Credit:
Portrait of me in tub by: Mark Herrington; Models: Nolan Mosley, Ashley Smith, Caleb Lewis, Cassondra Dickens, Lauren Davis, Alice, Zeus the Goat
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