Meet Alexandria Rowlen | Lead Brand Photographer & Fashion Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandria Rowlen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandria, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?

Being a photographer over the years, I have been lucky enough to have captured such strong and meaningful content from my subject matters. I have worked extensively with the veteran community, small businesses, upcoming artists, first responders, modeling agencies, CEOs, creators, doctors, writers and many more.

Each and every one of their stories matter and make a difference in the world and to those around them. I love having the opportunity to be a visual outlet for them so they can share their experiences. I have been tasked with photography assignments covering many topics such as breast cancer survivors, war heros, veterans starting up their own businesses to help others by bringing awareness to mental disorders. All of these subjects are so strong and heroes to me personally. Being able to conduct and host the photo shoots I do allows us to have a sense of comradery in the community. It brings us together for a sense of belonging and common goals. Bringing people together truly gives me so much joy because seeing the ones I work with happy, is truly rewarding all in itself.

My overall goal is to help anyone along the way and to bring others together so they feel a sense of belonging and happiness. If my photography is a positive outlet for them then I am very thankful of being the one to capture it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Art was always a subject that I gravitated to and it brought me pure joy. Once discovering photography at the age of 14, I never looked back in what career I wanted to pursue. I knew right then and there what I wanted to be.

I attended Columbia College and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Photography and minored in Photojournalism in 2014. I started up my own photography business after graduation full time, I became a wedding/portrait photographer photographing over 150 weddings during my years. I then fell in love with fashion photography. Starting to work with modeling agencies in the Chicago area. Doing test shoots is such a true passion of mine and feeling the creative freedom to capture and to tell a story has always been something I have been so passionate about.

Fast forwarding a few years, I then began my career at a veteran owned apparel company as their Lead Brand Photographer for over five years. Photographing apparel, lifestyle and product studio photography. This is when I was introduced to photographing in the firearm industry and veteran community. Moving from Chicago to Texas, I began to make connections, travel and find friends in all of the craziest places. It had its wild assignments such as jumping out of airplanes, driving large Sherman tanks from World War II, firing flamethrowers and much more! With all of the high action oriented projects, it has led me to meet some of the most amazing individuals. Working with non profit organizations, community members and many others has made me see how much photography can help bring awareness to those around us.

I then made the decision to move to Arizona where I now work for a firearm holster company full time as their Lead Brand Photographer. I am in charge of all of the photography that is created for the company. I coordinate photo shoots, am in charge of apparel product media coverage and more. I am so truly grateful for my life and where my path has led itself. As of now, I still continue to photograph on the side in regards to headshots, portraits, products for companies, family portraits, maternity photography and events!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I absolutely love exploring small towns and different places around me here in Arizona. Some of my favorite spots are hiking on Devils Bridge in Sedona, AZ. Driving through Bearizona to have the pleasure of seeing bears, wildlife come up to your vehicle as you drive through the zoo! Enjoying the cool weather in Flagstaff. Especially in a small town called Strawberry where you can get delicious pies! Looking for a good night out you can enjoy a cocktail on Platform 18 where you will be sitting on a pullman inspired train car from the 1920s! Enjoying projected views of the rockies as you sip and enjoy!

Arizona has so many activities, unique discoveries to offer. I live here full time and still feel like I haven’t seen it all! It also gives me the creative freedom I need for my photography.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I want to dedicate my success to my parents. Without their love & support I would be a completely different person today and I owe this to both of you.

I want to recognize my high school photography teacher. He had given me the confidence to pursue my photography career when most doubted my choice in career path. Thank you for being such a positive impact to me and to others around you!

To all of the people I have worked with over the years and non profit organizations, I can’t thank each and every one of you enough. You all have made my life rich and full of happiness.

Website: www.alexandriarowlen.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/alexrow1

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandria-rowlen-b590a856/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexandria.rowlen

Image Credits
Photo Credit to Black and White Portraits – theoxproject Photo Credit to Color Portraits – Mike Sansone All other photos taken by me Alexandria Rowlen