All About Your Photographer

Jan 11, 2017
5 min read

Hey!

I'm Alexandria Sayles, the owner of Amarie Photography, LLC, but everyone calls me Alex. I'm only called Alexandria when I am in trouble, or if I have to be professional. I started my business out of the love I have of capturing special moments for people, but I really dove in and decided to take it full time after I had my son in 2015. I have a Master's in Photography from Eastern Michigan University, a Bachelors in Studio Art in Photography from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, and two Associate degrees in Fine Art, along with Graphic Design. I have been lucky enough to have my work displayed in numerous magazines, galleries, and in articles online, along with winning many photography awards.

I am an onsite, natural light, lifestyle photographer. That means I focus more on the intimate moments in your session over posing for stiff photos. I capture those in between laughs, tears, and embraces. I work mainly with couples, families, children, newborn, and special events; such as weddings and births. The goal of my job is to make your moments come to life and to give you an experience to remember forever, along with having fun. You can't forget about the fun

But, enough with the business talk! Let me tell you more about me, cause is there really such a thing as TMI?

I am 26 years old, a Sag, and a mother to an adorable, but terrible two filled toddler. I was born and raised in Jackson, MI, but for most of my photography career I lived in North Carolina due to the military lifestyle, and I miss it to no end. Not just the beaches, though that is at the top of the list, but the people I met during the journey. In 2014, two weeks before I gave birth to my son, I moved back to Michigan. It was crazy, hectic, and I was living out of boxes until he was over a month old. I completely understand why they tell you (your doctors I mean) not to make any serious life changes in your last trimester, but those that know me know I dance to my own beat. I have still yet to re-adjust to the temperature difference, and I complain about the cold even when it is 80 degrees out... But, at least the lakes taste better than the ocean does!

I come from a super family oriented background. Honestly, they were all thrilled upon the news of AJ, even though most didn't know until I was 5 months pregnant, because it marks 5 generations for one side. This is one of the reasons why I love "shooting" families. (A little photographer pun for you.) It gives me the ability to show the closeness between people and give them something that will be cherished for generations to come. I still look through my old photos and boxes of images from when I was younger, but putting together AJ's baby book is a completely different story. That thing is horrible I swear!

I spend a lot of my time with my son, as he comes to work with me for my day job a couple days a week, but it saves on child care and he is amazing with money. Who knew a two year old could tell the difference between a $1 and $100? But nothing passes him, he looks at me like I am a crazy person if he sees I am holding more money than him lol. (I'm an accounts payable coordinator during the week). Though I am so grateful for the days his father takes him to Grammy's house with him, because as much as I love my little minion, I would probably rip my already super thin hair out if I had to watch Paw Patrol 7 days a week.

He already has a love for photography.. Or maybe he just likes playing with my camera, I haven't quite figured it out yet. I bought him his own toy camera when he turned one, but he already knows the difference. That, or it's because he already killed the batteries and I haven't figured out how to change them yet. Either way, I used it to start a new project of self portraits of the two of us.

I have a serious coffee addiction. Everyone around me knows it, so come Christmas time, I get coffee cups, coffee bags, and gift cards to Starbucks. Because, come on, it's the best. My coffee of choice? In the winter, it is a chai latte with soy milk and gingerbread syrup or a skinny vanilla latte with almond milk. the summer is either an iced chai latte or a cold brew with almond milk and a few packets of stevia. Bring me coffee and I will be your best friend forever!

I love to dance and I have an obsession with music and painting. I danced for my university's dance company before I gave birth to my son. I love zumba and yoga, and eventually one day I want to be certified to teach and instruct classes. If you ask, I just might bust out a dance move during your session. I am a handstand fanatic, I take a photo in each location I visit of a handstand somewhere I loved while I was there. It will eventually become a series when I finally get around to traveling more.

Speaking of traveling, I am a serious wanderluster. I always have loved being on the go and creating my own path in life, I have a hard time staying still. When AJ is old enough, I plan to take him backpacking with me if his father won't go (he's a party pooper lol JK, but really his job sucks). I'm already training him to be my little assistant photographer. My ultimate dream is to work for Vogue, travelling to exotic locations to photograph models in beautiful gowns.

If anyone is a One Tree Hill fan, you know this bridge.

I sing, but I am not quite sure if I would call it in-tune or just the sound only a baby would like. Either way, as long as it keeps my son from throwing a huge tantrum, that's okay with me. We rock out to Backstreet Boys in the car, and he will sing along with me. The shower will always have the best acoustics I will say, second followed by your steering wheel.

I hate candy and chocolate, although I love pink starbursts and Reese's. Normally, I never eat them though because the other mouths in our house do before I even get to. So, I normally hide a few away behind all the Gluten Free items that no one in the house will touch besides me. Win, win, in my book, even though most of the time I forget about them being there then still get mad. Oh well, mom brain right?