Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alexa M Santy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alexa M, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I have this thought almost everyday. Having your own business and also juggling multiple jobs is very hard and extremely draining. I actually do have a part-time “regular job” that is super flexible with my schedule and I’m grateful for that but sometimes I do just want to go full time in a 9-5 and say forget it all. Creative work takes a lot out of you and consumes your life almost 24/7. However I know if I couldn’t work as a creative I’d absolutely lose my mind because it’s a part of me and it’s what makes me happiest. It’s the most rewarding job to see people excited and happy to see the work you produce for them.

Alexa M, 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 graduated from Temple University in 2015 with a B.A in Media Studies and Production, so that was my wake up call for entering the creative realm. Although I learned to make documentaries, movies and such I just loved the idea of capturing moments. I still do videography here and there and have made a documentary and some short films but photography is my biggest passion along with being a freelance dancer. I mostly capture dancers and do portrait photography(but I also do events, weddings, headshots etc), I love capturing motion and creative portraits with gel lighting is probably my favorite thing to do because it lets me be the most creative I can be. I try to make my clients as comfortable as possible when they come to my studio and usually they don’t have much experience in front of the camera but when they see their photos, I see their eyes light up and that is so rewarding for me. I’m most proud of being able to do this as a living, a lot of people don’t get to live out their dreams and I’m so lucky I get to do that.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective way I have grown my clientele is word of mouth. I’m so grateful to all my clients who have posts on social media and even recommended me to their friends. I can post on socials all I want, have the best looking website but truly word of mouth is the most effective way to get clients!

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

I actually just added another part of my business which is my rental business! I currently am renting out a 360 photo booth, gold backdrop and a purple royal throne. As the years go on I’ll add to it but for now the 360 is great for parties, weddings, etc. We served the tristate area!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amvisuals-rentals.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amvisualsphl/ & https://www.instagram.com/amvrentalsphl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amvisualsandrentals/

Image Credits
1st photo: Christine Lindsey Alexa1: Sophiann Mahalia Alexa2&3: Ang Bua Alexa4: Sophie Bell Alexa5: Adrianna Poindexter Alexa6: Sarah Vital