Hidden Gems: Meet Alexandra Linton of Ignited Soul Expressions Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Linton.

Alexandra, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always loved taking pictures. In front of the camera or behind the lens. My mom was big on taking pictures for every occasion. We have tons of photo albums filled with pictures from years and years ago. I love the idea of looking through old photos and reliving memories and seeing where you are now.

I first became interested in photography when I started a fashion blog in college called PopKultur3. I was obsessed with fashion and wanted to take photos of my outfit of the day. My dream job at the time was to become a fashion blogger! I was gifted a Nikon Coolpix for my college graduation and I started using it to take my own photos. I would use the self-timer and pose in my outfits in my grandmother’s backyard.

I enjoyed fashion so much that I wanted to feature models and other fashionable people outside of myself on my blog. So, I started taking photos of my friends who were into fashion. I did a styled shoot with two of my friends and then I took photos of the FACES modeling troupe from UNF and I also took photos for local fashion shows & music shows. I volunteered for Jacksonville fashion week in 2014 and even took photos there as I worked behind the scenes with the models. I was really more into fashion than actual photography at first.

I really didn’t see photography outside of a hobby until 2018. I had taken a break for a few years because my camera had gotten damaged. Once I finally fixed it, I randomly started taking pictures again just for fun. After about 6 months or so, people started asking me if I was charging for my photos. I was not, I was just enjoying being creative. But when I saw how my skills kept improving, then I began to get more serious and pursue it professionally. I was so scared at first because I didn’t think people would pay me and then I kept getting referrals from people I worked with. Keep in mind for the first year I shot with a Nikon Coolpix. It’s a digital point-and-shoot camera, not the fancy Canon I have today. I didn’t even get a canon camera until 2019 for Christmas.

The name Ignited Soul Expressions was actually the name I used for my hand-painted coffee mugs and home decor side hustle I had in 2016. I sold a few hand-painted mugs to pay for a missions trip to LA, and then even after my trip people were still asking for me to make them coffee mugs. Ignited Soul Expressions was the name God gave me because I am just so full of creativity and when my soul is ignited by my inner creativity, I express it through projects such as hand-painted coffee mugs or home decor items. When this side hustle lasted for a little over a year, I eventually took the name and pivoted the whole thing to be tied to my photography business!

Now Ignited Soul Expressions is all about helping my clients find their inner confidence and joy while they capture milestone moments and memories they don’t want to forget. I inspire my clients to see themselves in a new light and take that energy with them even after the session is over!

I am pretty much self-taught. As I said earlier, I didn’t start off with the fanciest gear or knowing even how to shoot in manual. I just had a passion and I had an “eye” of how to see things through my lens. I still spend a lot of my time learning through videos, blogs, or books I read, other photographers I follow, and just learning every day as I go. I’ve taken a few courses, but most things I’ve learned on my own when it comes to photography. It’s been a lot of trial and error, but getting better as I continue to move forward.

In 2022, I will be heading into my 4th year of photography and I’m so glad I stuck to it even when things were hard or I felt like I wasn’t good enough. In the last 2 years is where I’ve seen the most growth in my skills and my business and I’m excited about the journey ahead.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, there have been many challenges along the way! My biggest struggle was with equipment for the longest. I would rent lenses and camera bodies not realizing it was eating into my profit in the beginning! Eventually, I saved up enough to buy a full-frame camera body and lenses. But it took time!

Also, being self-taught, there is a lot of stuff you learn in hindsight. Shooting in manual was one of those things. I started teaching myself through YouTube videos and blogs and then I eventually took a course and refined my skills. But I was nervous for a long time in simply understanding how my camera worked! Shooting in manual is a big deal, but it took time to learn it and be comfortable.

One year, I had a whole hard drive crash on me and I lost all my files from that year and the previous year. I was devastated. It happened right around Christmas time as I was getting ready to send final edits to someone. I remember crying on Christmas and feeling like it was the biggest blow to my ego.

Editing was a challenge. Trying not to be intimated by Lightroom and photoshop in the beginning. I had to learn my own style of editing versus trying to slap a preset on and that wasn’t really my style of editing. Understanding the business side has also had its challenges as well. Trying to keep up with all the business aspects on the backend, while I also still work a full-time job. Balancing that can get a little crazy at times. As things grow I’m always thinking about what’s next?

And there’s always the challenge of not feeling like you’re good enough when you compare yourself to your peers and other photographers you admire from afar. I had to learn to set my own standard.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ignited Soul Expressions Photography?
I am a local lifestyle and branding photographer in Jacksonville, FL. I specialize in working 1 on 1 with clients for lifestyle and branding sessions. Lifestyle sessions include individual portraits for various occasions ( birthdays, graduations, celebrating milestones, etc.) maternity sessions, and I also work with couples and offer engagement sessions.

My branding sessions are for small business owners and entrepreneurs who need content for their business and want to use visuals to better represent their brand and tell a story that will engage their audience. I offer both outside and indoor studio sessions. All of my session types can be found on my website: IgnitedSoulExpressions.com.

Communication is a big thing for me and my clients. I try to make sure I understand their vision and then manage their expectations so that we can get results we both will be happy with. I try to focus on creating an overall experience for my client. It’s not just about coming to stand in front of a camera and I snap your picture and then you go home. At my photoshoots, we are listening to music, dancing, laughing, and enjoying being in the moment of celebrating you and creating a sense of joy from the overall experience. When you book a session with me expect to laugh and experience a new way of celebrating yourself. I love when a client sees the final edits and says “That’s me? Oh, I’m cute!” This means I did my job well!

I recently started to expand my photography business by offering additional services to small business owners. This includes helping them create social media graphics, business cards, logos, etc., and helping them create a starting foundation for their business to get started and see growth. For additional services, they can email me at [email protected]

Most of my photo sessions are held on the weekends, or during the evenings. ( I still work full time at the moment.) Overall, I am honestly just proud of the growth and support this year. I’ve had new clients and repeat clients and I’ve enjoyed working with them all. I’m looking forward to continued growth.

What were you like growing up?
I’ve always been quiet and creative. I was the kid who could draw and write for hours while sitting in my room or watching TV. I was quiet but my imagination was my fun place. I’ve always been into creative projects. Coloring things, painting, DIY crafts, drawing, etc. I’ve always been a crafty person.

When I was a kid I knew I wanted to be an artist, but I didn’t know what that looked like then. I imagined then it was me being a painter or sketch artist. The older I got I let that idea go because I would hear people around me say “artists don’t make any real money. They stay broke.” My definition of an artist was very narrow then.

But today with photography I’m an artist who captures artistic moments through my camera lens. I would’ve never guessed this is where I would be.

Pricing:

• Individual Portrait sessions starting at $215
• Maternity Sessions – $275
• Couples – $225
• Engagement Sessions – $350
• Branding Sessions start at $275

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Ignitedsoulexpressions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ignitedsoulexpressionsphotos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ignitedsoulexpressions/photos
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQVtC4DWTzNbZD7RVDSG1A

Image Credits
Bracy Photos and Alex Linton of Ignited Soul Expressions Photography