BEHIND THE LENS FLASHBACK: WITH ALEX BEADON

Almost exactly one year ago, we posted the interview below with the very talented Alex Beadon. As we predicted (and so did she), 2011 was a great year for Alex.  Her photography business and following has blossomed.  She has a beautiful new website, is making and selling gorgeous actions and is always out there creating, learning and sharing her photography experiences and knowledge.  After reading the interview below, we strongly encourage you to visit her website. We know you will be inspired by her passion and creativity!  Thank you Alex for being one of our first Behind the Lens series interviewees.  We are thrilled to know you and love watching you and your business grow!  

Originally posted on January 25, 2011

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Our Moms Who Click BEHIND THE LENS is going global!  We first came across the amazing work of Alex Beadon after she found us through our blog and left a comment.  We promptly checked out her photography site and blog and were blown away at the beautiful images she has captured.  Even more impressive is how Alex has been able to find her true passion and realize her potential at such a young age.  We are going to keep an eye on Alex, we know she's going to to be a major force in the world of photography.  We know for sure, 2011 is going to be a great year for Alex Beadon!  And now, without further ado we would like to introduce you to - Alex Beadon!

Name: Alex Beadon

Studio/business name: Alex Beadon Photography

Location: England

Website: http://www.alexbeadonphotography.com

Blog: http://www.alexbeadonphotography.com/blog

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/alexbeadon

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alex.beadon.photography and http://www.facebook.com/groups/alexbeadonsphotoshopactions/

Other: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexbeadon

Your Style:

• In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography?  My clients always express their awe at the unique and beautiful way I captured them within their surroundings. I’d like to think that’s how they would describe my work and that that’s why they hire me – for the unique way I see the world with my imagination.
• Are you self-taught or classroom trained?  Self-taught.
• How many years have you been a professional photographer?  I’m at the very beginning of my photography career. I still have a long way to go and I’m really looking forward to it!
• Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years? In five years I hope that I will have narrowed down the type of photography I offer. I hope that I will be both a great photographer and businesswoman. I hope I will be able to work internationally. I hope that I will be able to help and make a difference with my photography. I hope that I will continue to use my personal photography as a way to grow professionally. I hope I will take big risks.
• Is there a photographer who inspires your style?  Who would that be?  There are many photographers who inspire me but the list is constantly growing and changing. I’m inspired by people who are constantly trying to better themselves, their art, push boundaries and live outside of their comfort zones. To me, growth and change is so important and inspiring all at once.
• Favorite location to take photos?  I have a love for big, natural, open spaces. Fields, oceans, forests at sunset or sunrise.
• Favorite vacation spot?  Anywhere with the people I love and care about the most.

Your Business

• What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer?  The realization that if I could spend my life doing what I’m passionate about, I would always be rich in happiness and have love in my heart, and that is worth everything.
• What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you?  Utilizing my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/Alex.Beadon.Photography) has been so pivotal to my business.
• What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you?   I’m not sure, can’t think of anything too surprising.
• Favorite print lab?  I’ve only just started printing my work, so I’m not able to comment on that just yet :)

Your Gear:

• Are you Canon or Nikon (or “other”)?  Canon :)
• If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be?  My Canon 50mm 1.4
• What brand bag do you carry your camera in? Kelly Moore.
• What gear would we find in your camera bag? Canon 5d mark ii,  Canon 50mm 1.4 Canon 28mm 1.8, Lots of batteries and memory sticks
• Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan?   Natural light all the way, and I must admit off camera lighting intimidates me. Not for long though, because it’s on my to-do list of things to learn ;)
• Are you PC or Mac?  Mac.

Your Tips and Tricks

• What post processing tools do you use?  Adobe Photoshop CS5. I make most of my own actions.
• Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg?  Jpeg.
• Best advice you would give your 20-year old self?  If I could send a message to myself a year ago, I would tell myself to love more, shoot more and worry less. I would tell myself to stop comparing my work to others, and to create images that speak to my soul instead of creating images similar to everyone else. This has been so important in taking steps to discovering my style.
• Best advice you would give a new phographer?  My first answer was to shoot as much as you possibly can. But the truth of the matter is that if you’re passionate about photography, you won’t be able to stop shooting anyways.  So, a better answer is to read the manual, understand your camera and the way it works; learn about light, and most importantly – experiment.
• What site do you use for your photography and why?   I have my website to showcase my work (http://www.alexbeadonphotography.com), my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/alex.beadon.photography) and I’m also trying to keep my flickr page updated (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexbeadon).

What Else Should We Know?

• What was your worst photography experience?  Forgetting my battery at home when traveling. Annoying!
• What would surprise people most about you, whether it is photography related or not?  I’m not really sure, I try to be as much of an open book as possible.
• Tell us something else you’d like us to know:  2011 is going to be a great year for me :) 

And just because we want to get to know you, please fill in these blanks...

• Three things I cannot live without....1) My family 2) My boyfriend 3) My camera
• I wish I had more....hours in the day. 
• The best thing about being a photographer is....Seeing the final product for the first time.
• The most important lesson I ever learned was….Not to judge anyone, to see the best in everyone and try to appreciate them for who they are. 
• My favorite time of day is…There's a time of day right after sunset, right before it turns pitch black where the whole sky is a bright shade of blue. It's wonderful and I always love seeing that beautiful, bright colour in the sky

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