Meet Alex Cahanap | Founder of Citrine + Photographer/Videographer

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

Hi Alex, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I have always been a host. Making a time and place feel special and beautifying spaces is pure joy to me. Launching a company that allows me to curate tablescapes and help others flex their hosting muscles is an absolute dream.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I always say I’m a Photographer/Videographer by trade and a Creative by nature. By virtue of this, I wear many hats.

I’m a Producer at a branding agency based out of Philadelphia called Cohere. In this multi-faceted role, I’m a photographer and videographer as well as a collaborator with other content creators for a growing list of re-imagined brands. Additionally, I’m a small business owner. I recently launched my own brand: Citrine. We rent curated collections of event tableware for both small and large occasions.

The best part about having so many roles is the opportunity to meet the most imaginative and inspiring people. As a photographer/videographer, I get a pass to be in the same room as a great range of individuals – business owners, food entrepreneurs, makers, artists, doctors, thought leaders, curators, you name it. Similarly, Citrine is all about hosting and gathering a community whether it be a 15-guest-dinner-party or a 150-seated-wedding, and as we know, a table is a place for conversation and exchanging ideas.

In both these creative expressions, I’m able to learn from people in a very specific way, and I am eternally grateful for that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Things to do in Philadelphia

1. A coffee + pastry at Reanimator Coffee
2. Spend the day strolling through Old City/Society Hill shops.
3. Grab a juice at Riverwards Produce in Old City
4. Middle Child Clubhouse for lunch + cocktail
5. LMNO Listening Room for a couple of cocktails and great music
6. Rock climbing at Cliffs at Callowhill
7. A meal at Martha Kensington
8. Drinks at Four Humours
9. Philly Art Museum (a classic)
10. Check out the galleries at the Crane Arts Building
11. Bok Bar for a great view of the city. Go to check out the shops too.
12. An afternoon at Reading Terminal Market (come hungry)

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 credit all my mentors in life for giving me the confidence to bring to life what’s in my head — My Family, Partner, Professors, Bosses, and Co-workers. You know who you are.

Website: citrine.style

Instagram: @alexcahanap, @citrine.phl, @cohere_co

Image Credits
Produced by Cohere