Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandria Rodriguez.
Hi Alexandria, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Alexandria, but most people know me as Alex. Born and raised under the sun-kissed skies of Southern California, I’ve been fortunate enough to explore much of this magnificent state. Among its many jewels, San Diego stands out as my absolute favorite city. Photography has been my passion since middle school, a surprising turn for someone from a family not particularly steeped in the arts. It was never in my plans to pursue it as a career, but life has a funny way of unraveling. When I had my first daughter, I bought a Canon SL3 to capture our family moments. During the pandemic, a chance arose to photograph my friends’ engagement, and from the moment I posted those pictures on Facebook, my hobby started transforming into a profession. Friends and family began requesting shoots, and before I knew it, I was carving out a career from my passion.
Each day, I find myself growing as a photographer, and the gratitude I feel for being able to do what I love for a living is immense. Having two daughters and being able to spend precious time with them is a privilege that photography has afforded me. They are my everything – fun, vibrant, wild, and unique, my little “wildflowers,” which inspired the name of my business, Grow Wild. My belief is that every love story is unique and deserves to be captured authentically and beautifully. This belief fuels my passion for elopement photography, where I get to immortalize the essence of a couple’s love in stunning natural surroundings.
Photography has taken me on an incredible journey, allowing me to travel and meet new people along the way. While I am deeply passionate about elopements and couple photography, I am excited to see where this journey will lead me in the future.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Photography, in a way, felt like it just fell into my lap, and for that, I consider myself incredibly fortunate. However, this journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Having never run my own business before, navigating the back-end work has been a steep learning curve. But the silver lining in this adventure has been the amazing community of photographers I’ve met along the way. They’ve been an invaluable source of support and guidance, generously helping with any questions I have and contributing significantly to my growth and confidence as a business owner. Their camaraderie and wisdom have been pivotal in overcoming the hurdles of entrepreneurship in photography.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Specializing in couples’ photography, including weddings, elopements, and engagements, I have carved a niche for myself in creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for my clients. This ambiance is essential for them to be themselves, allowing their love to shine through authentically in every shot. I have a strong affinity for utilizing natural light and stunning landscapes, which helps me craft images that are not only visually breathtaking but also heartfelt. What truly sets me apart from other photographers is my relentless attention to detail. I meticulously note even the smallest imperfections, ensuring that every aspect of a photograph is harmonized to perfection. Moreover, my natural eye for aesthetics empowers me to capture more than just images; I seize moments and emotions, encapsulating them in a way that transcends the ordinary. The result is a collection of photographs that are not only visually striking but also deeply meaningful, each telling its own unique and captivating story.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE TO THANK! My partner who has pushed me to quit my full-time job while he supports our family so I can follow my passion for photography. He encourages me every day. My new friends in the photography world that have taken me under their wings to help guide me. Petra (@petrapersaudcom), Savannah (@savannahhernandez_photography), and Lauren (@laurenscottstudios), in particular, have been so helpful and have become good friends!
Contact Info:
- Website: growwildphoto.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/growwildphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growwildphoto
