We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alicia Angst a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alicia , appreciate you joining us today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?
I am working to get my portfolio together for my animal photography business. I have reached out to family and friends to help. I was able to gift sessions to two of my barn friends who have had a large number of vet bills this past year and they would not have had photos done otherwise. They both really liked the photos and I was able to add two equine sessions to my portfolio.
Alicia , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have had a camera in my hand since 110mm film and bright pink and orange Kodak cameras were a thing. My dad did wedding photography on the side, so I have been around photography as long as I can remember. My first 35mm camera with glass was a purchase my dad and I made at age 16 when I got to tour Israel. I made the move into digital in college and I have loved every minute of it.
My first foray into the photography business post college was as an editor at a local studio. I spent five years learning the ins and outs of applying different Photoshop techniques to photo editing. I went on to be a ring side photographer at horse shows for another photographer. Now, I want to reach out to people who have animals and capture the special moments that happen on a daily basis between humans and animals. That moment where your dog makes you giggle because of a silly look on their face or the moment a cat wiggles right before pouncing while playing. Things that you wish you could capture in a photo, but you are in the moment making the memory.
I offer a more journalistic or lifestyle type photography as it allows me to move into an animal’s space without getting them overly nervous or stressed having a stranger on their turf. I was able to take photos of a dog who has lost most of his vision and some of his hearing without him stressing out. It’s a style that works with all animals, not just the friendlier personalities.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I want to capture the special moments that happen in ordinary interactions. That moment your animal makes you smile just because they are being themselves and showing you affection. One of my equine sessions had a horse that likes to carry things in his mouth. So I took a photo of him carrying his hoof pick in his mouth.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I am in the middle of a pivot now. I have never been the most confident in posing humans and I recently lost my personal horse. So I spent a lot of time thinking about what kinds of photos I wish I had. Bentley had this thing where he would stick his upper lip on my head and mess with my hair. I wish I had a photo of him doing that. My current style has evolved from moments like those.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aliciaaphotography.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: @photographyaliciaa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAngstphotography
Image Credits
Madeline Parker