Check Out Alexander Clary’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander Clary.

Hi Alexander, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My foray into photography is kind of one of an accidental nature. As a 25 year old man, I was hesitantly gifted (you know, the gift you DON’T really want or have interest in) a Nikon DSLR camera. I sort of looked at my dad with a “THAAAAANKS, dad….” and quickly tossed it aside to see what else I might get for my birthday, thinking I would never really use this “old thing”.

Well, I so happened to also be into the local music scene. Heavy metal and hard rock, to be exact. So, while on my way to a local show, I believe at The Roxy theatre, I decided that I might as well bring it along to see if I could give the bands some amazing shots for free or cheaply, because I know most musicians are starving, and often cannot afford decent photographs. This was also my current band’s situation.

After doing my absolute best (and with literally zero knowledge of anything photographic), I was able to produce some absolutely amazingly terrible images. At which point I immediately called my father and said “What’s wrong with this camera? I thought it was supposed to be really good? I can’t get any good pictures at all!” To which he promptly replied, “well…..of course, not son….you have no idea what you’re doing!”

I was immediately frustrated with my inability to produce anything for these bands as I had desired, and thus the challenge was on. So I began to read about cameras. And lenses. And lighting.

A LOT.

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?
Absolutely not. In fact, I would say that there is nothing more infuriating in this whole entire world than being an artist of any kind. The challenge of having something incredible in your mind and being unable to show it to the world accurately is not for the faint of heart.

Coupled with technical skills and knowledge, questions about how to operate a business, taxes, upset clients that you made mad (some of which ARE your fault), upset clients that are just mad for no reason (the “K” bunch), supply or distributing issues, scheduling issues, trying to transition into doing your business full-time…….it’s enough to drive anyone mad.

But, I also think that is the entrepreneurial spirit. To drive through where others would quit. And there are plenty of times where that feels like the easiest or best thing to do. I urge anyone reading this with a dream or passion to keep going. Don’t quit. Take a break if you must, do it less often and then come back full force when you’ve rested a bit but….don’t ever quit.

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?
I’ve been lucky enough to have been published in several magazines over the years. Everything from local mags (Shoutout to Ethereal Beauty, Defined and Outfront) to larger ones like Dark Beauty Magazine. And now Voyager! I seriously love it every time, I feel so honored.

And I’ve also been fortunate enough to win Best Of Business awards in the photographer category for the past three years running.

But, really what I’m actually most proud of now is the memories I create for people. When I got my start, it was all rock shows and modeling, you know the fast cool sexy stuff. As the years have passed and I’ve developed a business, it’s mostly portraits and weddings for me. I still do the other stuff from time to time, however it feels so good to hear a client say that I captured their wedding so well or thank me for photographing their loved one before they left this earth. Then I just know inside that when those people are old, they will one day pull out those photographs to share and it will be my work. That’s what I’m most proud of.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My best advice to new photographers is, learn and be patient. Do not start charging money before you are a professional and your work is of high quality. If you do that, you will be robbing yourself of your appropriate wage, short-changing the client on quality, and you may fall into the trap of thinking you are already good enough to charge money so why should you improve?

Ask as many questions of other photographers as you can. Watch as many tutorials as you can. Read as many books on the subject as you can. Start being an assistant to a professional. That way, you can earn some bucks AND some tutelage.

And when you are a true professional, of a high caliber among your peers, stay hungry and humble. Don’t forget, there is always something you can learn, and somebody better than you.

Pricing:

• 350/Hr Full Resolution Digital Images Included
• $99/Hr Session Fee only Digital Images sold A La Carte

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alexclaryphotography.com
• Instagram: alexclaryphotography
• Facebook: facebook.com/alexclaryphotography 

Image Credits
Rachell Marie Smart Andrew Carter Bobby Amaru (Saliva) Hannah Maddox (Scarlet Canary)