Alyssa Rose - Wedding Photographer
We sat down with Philadelphia based photographer, Alyssa — who is making waves in the wedding photography world. We chat the business side of being an artist, her true to colour approach and how she sets herself out from the crowd.
Take us back, why did you pick up a camera?
I got into photography when I was 15 or so. This was during the Myspace days and I wanted a way to express myself further on those platforms. Words have never been my specialty and I felt like I wasn’t able to fully convey how I was feeling (as a15 year old emo girl). Buying my first DSLR cracked my heart and creativity open and peaked my interest in photography. I could have never envisioned then how far it would take me today. Photography really provides me with a sense of purpose and makes me feel like I am showcasing the true beauty of the world.
How would you describe your work?
I would describe my work as vibrant, expressive, and stylistic. One of my main loves in life is fashion and I am constantly inspired by it, so a lot of times I buy a piece of clothing and go from there on ideas of how I want to capture it. I love playing with color, reflections, light, and other effects. Honestly, I just want my work to make people stop for a second and take a moment to feel.
What is your current go to techniques and/or technology?
I think my main focus lately has been to strengthen and experiment with aspects of photography that used to make me nervous. I continue to challenge myself to get better with OCF (off camera flash) and artificial light in general. I’ve been playing with harsh light a lot and really trying to get good working with film. I’ve been trying out different film cameras and slowly incorporating it into my paid work, which makes me really excited.
WOTW TIP: Getting into film photography? An affordable way to start, we recommend a half frame camera with some Kodak Gold.
What are your needs as a creative?
I feel like as a creative, I’m constantly aching to take in as many art forms as possible. I am completely obsessed with things like a well made film, good music, an art museum, etc. But I also think rest is so essential to fill back up a creative cup. So inspire yourself endlessly, but also don’t be afraid to rest however long is necessary.
How do you balance creating art for yourself versus art for clients?
You know, I tend to ebb and flow with this. I’m not the best at balancing both, which is why I’ve started incorporating the two. Showcasing more of what I want to attract out into the world, so that what I want comes back to me. When you are working with your dream clients, there isn’t as much of a need for creating art for myself, because it feels like I’m doing both at the same time.
How do you differentiate yourself in the wedding scene?
The wedding photography scene is so saturated, and I definitely think it’s hard to stand out. Having a solid brand foundation has helped me a lot, as well as editing true to color, which is what so many people that come to me love about my work.
What has your key to success been?
I’m not sure how most people measure success, but it’s always been hard for me to say that I’m successful in any capacity. I can share my key to growth though. That is something I know that I do and continue to do. I truly believe consistency is key. Trying new things even if they scare you. Experimenting with new ways of shooting even if you aren’t completely confident in it. Flexible thinking and willingness to get out of your comfort zone is so important to growing as a photographer, artist, and human being in general. I just want to connect with good people, and bring joy into the world with my craft.
What does your ideal client look like & how do you get them?
My ideal client is someone who sees my work and connects with it. They love what I do and they trust me fully to do my thing and most importantly, they’re excited about the process! I guess the phrase that always sticks with me is “post online what you want to attract.” However, that’s not a black and white idea. Dreaming up creative shoots that my ideal client would want to execute is always a great way to attract them as well.
Do you have any tips for others trying to turn their craft into a business?
Never stop learning and be consistent with your craft. Shoot as much as you can and learn all types of lighting techniques so you aren’t limited at any capacity. Learn the business side of things early on so that you have the knowledge and tools to actually execute and run a small business.
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