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

Hi Alexandra, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success to me is a combination of various elements. The most prominent is persistence, a determination to overcome obstacles, work through moments of doubt, and continue striving for your goals. Equally as important is cultivating a client base which often results in referrals. With this comes a type of support from others that can empower you and help your business flourish. My entire life I have heard people say do what you love, and I do believe that above all, this is the cornerstone to being successful, a genuine love and excitement for what you do.

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.

I am a freelance portrait and travel photographer, raised and now based in Taos, New Mexico. My love for photography and travel began at a young age and led me to pursue an International Relations and Spanish degree in Seattle, WA. During this time, my studies took me to different parts of the world where I developed a deeper admiration for our planet.

Professionally, I worked for 8 years in the luxury travel industry, living throughout Europe, Central, and South America, immersing myself in the daily lives of locals. While abroad, my passion for photography developed as a way to capture the beauty of the world around me and share it with others. This I would say, was the catalyst for changing my career to photography full-time.

Currently, I collaborate with travel companies as well as locals and artists to help them tell their stories and share their work. What I believe distinguishes me as a photographer is my positive energy and ability to engage with people which results in photographs that resonate with viewers on a deeper level. By capturing the essence of my subjects, I work to create a visual narrative that leaves a lasting impact and inspires others.

I am always excited to hear feedback about how great my clients felt during our shoots. Apart from the end products, I believe a big aspect of photography is interreacting, collaborating, and creating a meaningful connection with your subjects.

Being a photographer, I am always open to experiences that provide me with an opportunity to be in a new environment. Whether it’s exploring the Bolivian Salt Flats with a group of travelers, spending time with an up-and-coming artist in their studio, or learning the process of how silk is made, I try to keep myself open and not limited to one type of subject.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

I started by photographing my friends and family when I was younger before shooting a few weddings over a decade ago. Through these experiences, I quickly came to love how the camera became a conduit for creating a relationship with my subject. Still to this day, I carry my camera everywhere. After establishing a wide-ranged portfolio from places I had visited and people I met, I felt comfortable enough to turn my side hustle into a full-time career and left my job in sales. It was a terrifying leap but one I will always be grateful I took.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Many new clients come to me based on personal recommendations from past clients. This has not only expanded my clientele but also fostered a sense of trust and credibility in my services. Additionally, I am often sharing my most recent work on Instagram and my website where people will reach out to me directly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alexandra-cancro.com/
• Instagram: @acanc1
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-cancro-b0680576

Image Credits
All photos were taken by Alexandra Cancro