We were lucky to catch up with Sofi Alexander recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sofi, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Nowadays there’s a lot of free videos on the internet that teaches you specifically what you want to learn. I believe is easier now to get started with all that info out there. You just need to find 2 or 3 good sources of information that aligns with your business and style.
To me having the patience and time to practice consistently helped a lot with the learning process. No matter how much you read or watch, you need to get your hands on the camera and also the computer. You might think an image looks great on the camera but once downloaded you’ll discover many ways you could have improved that image.
Knowing what I know now I’d have bought less amount of lenses and accessories. But of course back then I didn’t know exactly what type of photography I was interested in.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My Photography business idea started when my husband and I decided to start a family. I realized I wanted to do something that’ll allow me to manage my times so I wouldn’t miss important milestones. At the same time Photography was always something I had my eye on (
) and loved.
Most of us photographers/entrepreneurs wear multiple hats in order for our business to run properly. We photograph and edit but also handle our own marketing, book keeping, scheduling, planning, social media, web site and graphic design, and the list continues!
Hopefully in a near future I’ll be able to outsource some of them.
My galleries are all different from each other for the reason that I try to read my clients and see what type of photography they are looking for. Some love more posed, some more raw. I have a questionnaire before I meet them and I also offer a call to get to know them better. But I believe you learn much more after your first 5 minutes together. I have a specific style that I love but that doesn’t mean that I won’t be flexible when it comes to what my client wants. Now, if I see our visions are totally different I’d advise for a different photographer. We all have a different style and it’s perfectly fine. I try my best to find a balance between what I think works well and what my client is looking for.
I currently offer around 80+ edited images in the gallery (unless is a small event or a wedding) On each gallery I aim to deliver a wide variety of images . First, where everyone is looking at the camera. As long as I want to capture raw moments I still believe in images of everyone looking and smiling.
Then the candid moments, connection, play, and storytelling.
I love it when a client tells me to capture their everyday routine. Those are the memories we’ll want to capture the most.
And in between I’ll try to do some more artsy images whenever I see it possible. I love playing with the lighting, shades, glare, you name it.
With the gallery I offer, I hope my client receive what they were hoping for and much more.
I’m always exploring and open to learning more about the business. I follow a lot of photographers and I’m still taking online courses. I believe there’s always room for growth and improvement.
I’d love to be able to capture Maternity and Newborn images in a more raw and intimate way, so hopefully I’ll get more clients looking for that same vision.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
I once photographed an elopement for a really beautiful couple where the bride was Japanese and her family couldn’t make it to the big day.
Weeks after I delivered the gallery I realized her family had purchased tons of framed pictures and of course I got a commission from it without even knowing 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sofialexanderphotography.com
- Instagram: Sofialexanderphotography
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/sofi-alexander-photography-los-angeles