Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alfield Reeves. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alfield, appreciate you joining us today. Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?
Yes I do. I think it is vital to change your environment every so often. Taking a vacation doesn’t only allow for one to not to work, if they are intentional about that but it is also and opportunity to just exist and rest and have fun. As a creative entrepreneur I try and take as many short or long vacations as I can. I love going to New York so I will usually go there because not do I get to visit family but I also get to connect with other creatives and photographers like myself.
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 background and context?
I’m Alfield Reeves and I am a Liberian-American portrait & editorial photographer based in West Michigan. I specialize in creating work that encourages self-reflection and expression, promotes equitable action and showcases the black and brown identity and culture. My images are warm, quiet and bold. They bridge traditional divides between photojournalism, portraiture and fashion.
My work is featured in magazines and online platforms like Vogue Greece, The New York Times, Grand Rapids Magazine, Grand Rapids Business Journal, ProPublica, and The Trace to name a few. My work has been part of numerous exhibitions locally and statewide.
The fact that I have been full-time in my business for just over 5 years now is what I’m the most proud of. My biggest accomplishment outside of that would be photographing for the New York Times, getting to speak at The Grand Rapids Art Museum, my city’s local art museum and doing long-terms projects with organization and companies like Skillshare & Shutterstock.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think what helped build my reputation in my market is 2 things.
First is simply being myself. For the most part people respond to authenticity and someone just being who they are, no more or less. So when I am consistently doing that it not only allows me to build genuine connections and relationships but people remember that experience as well.
Secondly, I would say creating excellent work. At the end of the day the work has to be good. I have been able to build a good reputation with my market and mainly locally where I live because my work is of quality and excellent. That makes it stand out from the others!
If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?
This year the word mainly for my business has been “Expansion”. This year I have been able to expand my revenue streams in three areas.
First is teaching. I created a class through the platform Skillshare, so not only did I get a publishing bonus but also residual income every time someone watches my class.
Second, speaking. I got the opportunity to give a talk and share about my journey at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (local art museum where I live) and got paid for it. Also while at an exhibition I was able to connect with a few college professors who wanted me to come in give talks to their class.
Thirdly, selling prints. So outside of selling print work at exhibitions that participate or showcase my work in, I have also been selling them either on my website or at artist markets.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alfieldreeves.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/alfieldreevesphotography/
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/AlfieldReevesPhotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfield-reeves-548304b7
Image Credits
Personal Photo: by Mary Partee Additional Images by Alfield Reeves Photography