Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Hawkins
Hi Alex, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I fell in love with photography as a kid. My dad had a digital canon camera and I loved being able to use it. I had to ask permission and be supervised since I was still young and the camera was fragile. But one morning, my parents were sleeping in so I snuck the camera out of the closet under the stairs and set my dogs up for their close up. I took some blurry photos of the dewy grass and the freshly watered flowers of my mom’s garden. The minute my parents woke up, I turned myself in, fully expecting to get in trouble for taking the camera without asking. But instead, my mom got the pictures printed and framed and she still has them hanging on her bedroom wall. From that moment, I knew I wanted even more people to have my photos hanging on their wall.
I practiced taking portraits of my friends in high school and worked for a cat adoption agency taking their profile photos of their adoptable cats. My first wedding I took on as a leap of faith. I wasn’t sure if I was cut out for it but I knew that I’d never know if I didn’t try. I threw up in the courthouse bathroom from nerves but went out there and gave it my best. After that one afternoon, I knew that weddings was my calling and I’ve never turned back! I’ve fallen in love with capturing people falling in love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Owning your own business comes with a lot of uncertainty. A lot of the time you’re leaving success up to chance and hope. Of course, success ebbs and flows and just because you experience a time of slowness, that doesn’t diminish what you’ve done in the past. That took me a long time to come to terms with. When slow season comes (and it always does), I’ve used that as a time for reflection and gratitude of what I’ve completed to get me to the point I’m at now.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a portrait and wedding photographer. I love capturing authentic love and moments. I specialize in the moments in between. When you share a glance with your new wife, that gasp of realization just before they drop to one knee to propose, the squeeze of your hands as you share vows at your ceremony. I focus on telling the story of your love, no matter how it reads.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I have been really lucky in my business. I am lucky to live in such a beautiful area, with beautiful weather, and beautiful views. But, I have also been lucky that I share this with so many other creatives. While it can be discouraging being in such a highly saturated market, I find myself grateful every day that I have made so many connections in my community and get to share the love of my craft with so many people who get it as much as I do!
Pricing:
- Elopements starting at $1700
- Weddings starting at $2500
- Couples starting at $400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hawkinsphotos.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/alexhawkinsphotos
Image Credits
Lauren Marie Photography
