We were lucky to catch up with Alex Monticelli recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alex, thanks for joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
When in the process of creating my brand, I knew I would be very heavy in the nature side of photography. Some photographers like studio spaces or a industrial feel, but I knew my work would be very earthy, green, and focus on people out in nature. So when I was creating my name I wanted it to reflect the type of photography I do and thats how I came up with Moss and Lens.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I grew up around my dads canon camera and would always steal it to go run off and take pictures of flowers, bugs, trees. As i continued to get older, I asked for my own cameras. I went though a video phase with my Sony camera and then another picture phase with a Nikon I got on black Friday. Unfortunately those both collected dust and then were sold because I was super busy and in love with sports. I of course was still always taking pictures of people on my iphone and took peoples prom photos, graduation photos, maternity photos, etc with my iPhone till I was 26 and finally purchased my first mirrorless camera, my Fujifim xt-3.
I started just taking nature pictures, but quickly turned to portraits, family, engagements, couples, and now only 5 months in, Ive already shot 4 weddings. I just got obsessed with it so fast and was marketing myself for anything- branding photos, headshots, graduation photos, products, anything really. What I am most proud of it my ability to not fit into one box in this industry. I feel I can capture a wedding that shows real emotion and energy but can also capture edgy personal portraits of someone who maybe camera shy. I had no idea this job would be so much behind the scene work like marketing, outreach, emails, editing, curating, contracts, websites, etc. It is a lot, but I’m super proud of my growth and the love I have received for my work in the last 5 months since starting professionally.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Other photographers in your area or even just in the business are not competition, but resources. Its other photographers in my area that have helped me grow even more. Providing advise and insight, tips and tricks, and some even helped as much as hiring me to second shoot so I could build my portfolio and experience. People in the photography/videography/ or even wedding vendor world are resources and connections that I believe anyone starting out new should connect with. There is no competition, clients want something specific and that might not be your work, that’s okay. Those that like your work, will reach out and pick you and it will be because of you asking for help from others when you needed it, not because you beat them out of the competition.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
As photographers, our social media presence is very important. Its how we display our work, get clientele, and create an image for ourselves. I built a lot of my audience initially by connecting with other artists in the industry. I did a lot of outreach for collaborations, TFP (Trade For Pictures) with models, and local businesses who might need pictures done. That is my biggest advise to a knew photographer, make connections, Get your name out there and put a little dot on the map for yourself. If you wait for everyone to find you, it may take longer and less connections in your community will be found.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mossandlens.pixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mossandlens/
- Facebook: Moss and Lens Photography by Alex
Image Credits
Moss and Lens Photography