AESTHETE; The editorial photography experience by Alexandrae Photo
aes·thete
/ˈesˌTHēt/
noun
- a person who has or affects to have a special appreciation of art and beauty.
I’ve had a camera in my hands since I was sixteen years old. The thing I’ve always loved so much about this art form is the ability to convey a message without any words. Sometimes, it’s documentary style — the raw and real of a thing, a person, a relationship, or a place. Other times, you can dream up something a lil’ out-of-the-box…a little extra. As opposed to documenting the visual that’s in front of us…sometimes we get to *create* it. Since I started my business in 2020, I find myself drawn to exploring this type of creativity with my clients more and more. I’ve taken the last six months to really lean into this space to decide how I’d like it to come alive in my offerings, and now it’s time to L E A P.
I am so excited to bring styled editorials to the masses through AESTHETE.
first of all, what really *is* editorial photography?
According to Adobe, “Traditionally, editorial photography means the images that accompany an article in a publication. But editorial images can also exist on their own and imply a narrative or outline a creative concept.”
Editorial photographs narrate a story. They have a succinct concept and a rich point of view. Editorials have something very specific to say through intention and design.
the power of visualization;
Have you ever wanted to make a big change in your life? Maybe it was starting a new business, stepping into your unapologetic confidence, letting loose, switching up your aesthetic or sense of style – something integral to your identity. Sometimes, we cling so hard to past versions of ourselves that stepping into these changes or even playing around just a little bit can feel like learning to walk again. You feel wobbly, a little unsure of yourself and maybe your dear old friend, imposter-syndrome (that bitch), knocks at your door saying — “hey you phony, that’s too different…stop kidding yourself, you can’t do that”
It can be so intimidating to change or try something new. I say this from personal experience. I was an entirely different person before the pandemic in 2020. I worked in a corporate job, my schedule was meticulously planned out from sun up to sun down on most days, and the space to reflect and check in with what I really wanted out of this life was rare. I was letting my life drive me, as opposed to driving my life. Weirdly enough, I think the forced time that I spent away from *everything* in quarantine woke something up inside of me and made me want to live the life I had always dreamed of. I changed almost every aspect of myself over the course of one year.
In the thick of the pandemic/quarantine, I was itching to create. But given the restrictions, I had to stick to self-portraiture. Every week, I would come up with some new concept, style myself, and pull together a new set in my living room. At the time, I honestly thought nothing of what this would do for my self-identity. But after a month’s worth of photoshoots (maybe someday I will share a blog post of all of my favorites), I could feel that something in me was different. Looking at myself in these images, I appear confident, stylish, powerful, sexy, creative & unique. Every photoshoot was a different “me”. Not exactly the tried and true Allie from years past that everyone would recognize, but damn…she was cool. She was badass, a risk taker. I liked her. Two years later, I am her.
I realize now what a powerful tool for growth that visualization by way of a photoshoot can be. Giving yourself the permission to try on a new style, a new personality or just allowing yourself to *play* for a couple of hours. You might just find that you like that version of yourself quite a bit. Maybe there were pieces of the real you trying to make their way out past the noise this entire time. Culminating that feeling in a photo shoot is almost like putting a stake in the ground, stating “THIS. This is the me I want you to see”
making editorial accessible;
When you think editorial, your first thought probably had something to do with Vogue or some other massive publication fit with beautiful models, actresses, or rockstars. Big budgets, important people. I’ve spent hours of my life pouring over these types of photo shoots. I find them so unique and intriguing.
Editorial photography may come across as inaccessible, reserved for the stars….but let’s fckn change that, shall we?
I was struck with inspiration earlier this year about the purpose of my photography business, and my calling as a creative. What I feel *most* passionate about bringing my clients, regardless of the type of photoshoot, is holding space for and celebrating ideas – no matter how crazy they might feel to say out loud. We live in a world that tries to dim our light all too often, in my opinion. Critics are a dime-a-dozen. It is my hope to be a safe haven away from the nay-sayers through the art we create together. They may ask “why?”, while I will always ask “why not?”
In my launching of AESTHETE, my biggest goal is to bring wild fun and daring creativity back into our lives. Let’s dare to dream big and create something out of the box. Unique to you. We spend the majority of our time these days being serious and responsible. Let’s break some rules.
dare to dream up something big with me;
I am so excited to expand upon my existing offerings under my brand-new subbrand, AESTHETE, to offer the editorial photography experience to future clients. AESTHETE is where we will do everything will *a lot* of collaboration, inspiration, pre-planning, intention, and a little bit of flair. AESTHETE is where we go big or go home with our ideas and creativity. AESTHETE is for visionaries, movers & shakers. For those that wish to *set the tone*, not the other way around.
what’s new?
+STYLED EDITORIAL PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE ACROSS ALL PORTRAIT CATEGORIES
Think *a level-up* from your standard couples, boudoir, or lifestyle photoshoot. Concepts that feel fresh and fun. Something that we co-create as photographer + client, together. Something that looks straight out of a magazine. Images that drip with your own unique swagger and point of view. Let’s make your daydreams real life.
Expect me to be much more hands-on as a collaborator and innovator when you book a styled editorial package. We will toss around ideas and concepts, set our creative direction, style you to perfection, scope out the perfect locations to act as a playground for creativity, and source props/materials to give our photoshoot setting that wow factor.
+ STYLED EDITORIAL ENGAGEMENT/WEDDING PHOTOSHOOT
For the engaged power couple that wants to make a statement.
THIS, I am super excited about. I could think of a million and one use cases for this new offering to my engaged couples.
I know firsthand how the practicality of hosting a large event on a budget can sometimes get in the way of the luxurious vision you have in your heart. Maybe it’s not even that, maybe you’re the type of couple that cannot get enough of this time planning your wedding that you want to celebrate a little extra. Maybe you are torn between getting married in the city versus the mountains. I want to relieve whatever tough decision, prioritization or sacrifice is weighing on you – my clients should be able to have their cake and eat it too, dammit.
I will now be offering a styled editorial option to my engagement packages AND as an add-on option to my wedding photography packages. Let’s turn your Pinterest dreams into reality.
I want to share two examples of what this looks like, and surprise! These are my own examples 🙂
Styled Engagement – We styled a little engagement session for ourselves where I dressed up in white and we brought all of our details. There were pearls, champagne, disco balls – ALL OF MY FAVORITE THINGS. We used these photos on a slideshow at our venue on the day of our wedding. We heard wonderful feedback. People really felt as if the images from our photoshoot set the tone for the wedding. It was as if they were a part of the decor.
Styled Elopement – Taylor and I were torn from the start as to whether or not we wanted to host a big wedding or elope in the mountains. Given the context of 2020, we were excited about the decision to gather our family and friends together after a very long 2 years. After our wedding, we planned a photoshoot to take our wedding attire (getting to wear my wedding dress again!!!) onto one of our favorite hikes for a photoshoot. I LOVE our wedding photos, don’t get me wrong, but I think there will be something so special about capturing us in one of the ways we had envisioned this time.
+AN EDITORIAL BRANDING PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WITH AN EYE FOR AESTHETICS
For the brands and small business owners that want to create a show-stopping statement and a cult-like following around their mission.
With the launch of AESTHETE, I have completely overhauled my process around branding photography. Gone are the days of surface-level headshots. All of my branding packages have been enhanced to better serve small business owners that want to transport their clients/customers into their universe through imagery.
YOU are your brand, let’s show people what you’re all about. In order to do that, we are going to go deep into who you are, who you serve, what sets your soul on fire, and your reason for being as an entrepreneur. From there, we are going to create stunning visuals that tell an entire story about the culture of your brand. This is your dream, after all…we can’t do it justice with a surface-level process. Let’s dare to dream big and go deeper. Because the most successful business owners are those with a rich vision that comes from within.
Expect to reflect deeply on your brand, a lot of back-and-forth collaboration to fine-tune your vision, gather inspiration from all of your passions, and finally – an epic photoshoot to bring it all to life. You will walk away with enough content to create an entire universe around your vision.
the process;
INQUIRY – If you are interested and want to move forward with the AESTHETE editorial experience, you can inquire through my website, here, and select either “styled editorial” or “branding photography” for a list of my packages and the details. If you are interested in the styled wedding/engagement photoshoots, select “engagement” or “wedding”
DISCOVERY – Once we land on a shoot date, your retainer is paid & contract signed, I will send over a lengthy (but fun) questionnaire to gather details and spark inspiration for your creative concept. I highly recommend taking the time to reflect and get inspired while filling it out!
COLLABORATE – I will take the answers you share in your questionnaire to start cobbling together different concept ideas and a general outline of what it is we will create together. We will go back and forth until we land on something you are excited about.
SOURCE & PLAN – We will scout locations, style your looks, and source different props to include at your shoot.
SHOOT – In my humble opinion, THE FUN PART.
REVEL IN YOUR RARITY – After 6 weeks, you will receive your full gallery to enjoy, share, post, print, & publish. Yes, that’s you [your brand]. Revel in it, my friend.
