Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Saladin.
Hi Alyssa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I have always had a passion for photography from a very young age. In high school, I was accepted to dual enroll in a trade school that offered a two-year photography program that only accepted 40 students every year. I learned so much over that time. I became fluent in editing software, lighting, composition. That whole experience is a big part of who I am today.
I am eternally grateful to have had such an amazing opportunity at such a young age. In college, I took a semester of darkroom photography which was a whole new ballpark since I had never shot film before. Shooting film really taught me to take my time with every photo I produce since there is only so much film in a roll. It taught me to take a moment to study my subject and make sure everything is perfect. The posing, lighting, and location.
Using this to my advantage has resulted in a higher volume of photos to my editing standards. I have only recently moved to Missouri in the last year so I have been rebuilding business and clientele. I’m a part of several photography/model groups in the local community who have been very helpful with my adjustment, in just the last few months I’ve created a new portfolio, launched a new website, and made some amazing connections with other local vendors and photographers. So far I’m really loving the locations for amazing shoots that Missouri has to offer.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There have definitely been some struggles along the way. It has been a little bit difficult to find clients since my name isn’t out there just since I’m still pretty new to Missouri. The local groups I’m a part of were really a huge help to me in this area.
I had several models and even some photographers reach out to me offering to help me build my portfolio back up which was amazing! So now it’s been a bit easier marketing myself since I have a current portfolio with photos taken here.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I photograph several different types of sessions, including couples, families, senior portraits, maternity, and weddings. I’m most proud of my work with my couples though. There’s just something so amazing to be able to capture couples’ raw love in the photo, you really can see just how much they love and care for each other.
Before I start taking their photos I always like to ask how they met? How long have they’ve together? Just get some general small talk flowing, and 9/10 times this leads to one of them just gushing over the other and telling me how amazing they are. This gets my couples blushing and giggling very freely which looks angelic through my lens.
What sets me apart from others is that I really try to treat my clients as friends. I want them to feel comfortable joking around and having fun conversations. No need for awkward silence while a stranger takes your photos. I definitely believe that this has helped my clients feel less awkward in front of the camera which allows the posing to look more natural and flawless.
What are your plans for the future?
Right now I am really just enjoying where I’m at, but I’m definitely working towards making photography my full-time career over the next year. In the future, I’d really love to set up some styled shoots with local vendors in our community especially small businesses just starting out to help them get their names out there. since that’s how I got my start I want to do something to give back to that community.
Contact Info:
- Email: asaladin.photography@gmail.com
- Website: alyssasaladinphotography.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssasaladinphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=alyssa%20saladin%20photography
