We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alexandra West. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alexandra below.

Alexandra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My path started with knowing I wanted to create something of myself. I could create the life and path I have always wanted for myself. This first began in high school when my friends and I would take pictures and portraits of each other in nearby open spaces. I then knew that I wanted to open myself up and aim to be with a modeling agency, hoping to be represented by the agencies here in Denver. From being so excited and eager to be with a modeling agency, unfortunately, it did not work out at the time. I then discovered pageantry which I had done for two years competing for Miss Colorado Teen USA, placing in the top 15 for both years. Once I had aged out of pageantry, deep down I knew that I still wanted to model and eventually model professionally. I thought that I would give myself time as I was only 17 when my interest sparked and I felt that it was not my time yet. I graduated high school, went to college, started my new job as a photographer’s assistant, and received my Associate of Arts degree at Red Rocks Community College. I then proceeded into getting accepted at the University of Colorado Denver, while at the same time getting reached out by a talent scout/photographer via Instagram. With my busy year-round schedule of working two jobs, going to college full-time, and aspiring to become a model, this new opportunity came to me for once. The second that I stopped focusing on wanting to be accepted within the modeling world and struggling to get into agencies, it finally felt like the right time. As we conducted more and more shoots with each other, I began to make connections with studios, photographers, producers, creative directors, and much more individuals. From doing runway to editorial shoots to being presented in a magazine, I know that I am finally on the path that I have always dreamt of being on. That I can visualize and finally see myself doing the opportunities that I have always wanted to do and more.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My first creative work began when I sparked an interest in photography in 2015. Starting off, I took film and photoshop courses in high school that each taught me the beauty of photography in different lights. I knew that I wanted my own camera so that I could start taking my own images and using my creative mind to execute my ideas. That then led me to have two photographs I had taken to be showcased at the Arvada Art Center for my photoshop course. This then led one of those photographs to be awarded the principal’s award where my piece was bought and hung up within the school. I knew then that I had a talent for photography and editing. I was then discovered that same year in 2019 by a local photographer who asked me to model for one of her shoots. That then proceeded to a job opportunity arise and for me to become her assistant for the high school senior session shoots. Within time, I was promoted to become a full-time editor and I greatly took the position. Learning the process and the techniques were a little overwhelming at first, but the beauty of it is I get to explore and challenge myself. Editing has become a passion of mine that I find joy and opportunity in as it can take you in so many different directions, As much as I loved working being the camera, I still wanted to pursue modeling professionally and take any opportunities that I could. Being able to have various talents when it comes to the creative scene is something that I am proud of as I am able to challenge myself for greater things and to have an eye for various aspects in the field.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I have had to unlearn was the image of being someone that I am not. This lesson not only taught me that jealousy was not going to solve anything, but it also would have held me back. Back in high school, being young and having such big dreams that I had envisioned myself doing, was tough to go through at the time. I would compare myself to my peers in areas that I would lack being either mental or physical traits/aspects. From wanting to look different, act different, and have the opportunities that my peers would have. It had created jealousy within me and started to take a toll on my mental health and affected my confidence. At this time when wanting to model so badly and wanting all of the opportunities that would have came with it felt like a stretch. When signs were given to me of not being accepted into the Denver agencies, I decided to focus back on myself and put myself first for once. To stop hyper-focusing on how I look, and how I act, and to be inspired by what my peers were doing. This lesson has brought me so many amazing opportunities and I couldn’t be more grateful than where I am currently at with my modeling and creative career.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a model and also an editor is I can be versatile when it comes to the creative field. While being able to work behind the camera, I am able to work in front of it as well which feels very rewarding at times. Especially when it comes to my full-time job, I can either practice in front of the camera with shoots that my boss and I plan for fun, or get to test my editing skills with various shoots. Being challenged is also an extremely rewarding feeling. When there are times that I start to feel overwhelmed or noncapable of doing a task with modeling or editing, I remember that I must focus. To remember that I can do it, no matter if it seems impossible at first. And that’s the beauty of working in the creative field, no matter if you fail or are challenged with something new, you are able to experiment and create something unique.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @_alexandrawest

Image Credits
@alaincamporiva @monicalloyd_ @dustinxmoon @joshpshanks @clickpicvic