Hi, I'm Alex.

I live in Ojai, California, where I was raised on a farm. I'm a proud first generation daughter and I bring that up because honestly, I feel like I made it. All of my parents' sacrifices led me here, to my dream career and I don't take that for granted.

I think growing up on a farm shaped the way I see things. My dad is a farmer, so I grew up understanding how much work goes into the things we enjoy. I appreciate food, the earth and the people behind the work. I think that's probably part of why I care so much about the little things and the story behind them.

I'm also a huge foodie. Growing up, food was one of the biggest ways my family showed love. My mom makes the best Mexican food, and yes, I'm biased, but there's nothing like mom's cooking! Right!? I love making soups, pastas and putting my own twist on Mexican dishes. My husband and I love trying new restaurants, finding good food and having a good cocktail.

Music is another huge part of my life. I love live music and finding artists I've never heard before. I really appreciate the art, time and work that goes into making music. I'm listening to music almost all day, as I work, clean, cook, drive.. And I listen to everything!

I have a lot of hobbies. Probably too many. I've always been someone who needs to create something. I've painted, written poems, made jewelry, tried macrame, ride dirt bikes, and probably picked up a dozen other random hobbies along the way.

Photography started as one of those hobbies

My favorite thing to photograph has always been people. The way someone looks at their person when they think nobody is watching. Your friends crying during the ceremony. Your grandma dancing. Your dad fixing your dress. The little moments that weren't planned but somehow end up being your favorite photos.

That's what I love about wedding photography. Yes, I want to make beautiful photos. I love a good editorial portrait and I'm definitely going to give you direction when we take them. But I also want to document what your day actually felt like. The people, the movement, the emotions, the chaos, the quiet moments, all of it.

I photograph weddings with a mix of documentary and editorial direction and I also incorporate a lot of film into my work. I love the imperfections, the grain, the colors and the feeling that comes from film.

Most importantly, I'm a mom. My daughter is Rayne, pronounced rain.

We named her Rayne partly because I love the rain, but also because growing up, I would visit my grandma in Mexico and I loved listening to the rain hit the tin roof of her house. Rain has always felt comforting to me.

Rayne is free spirited, hilarious, and has the biggest personality. I've been documenting her life through photographs, especially on film, and honestly, she's probably one of the biggest reasons I care so much about photographs in the first place.

Photos are how we remember.

Not just what someone looked like, but what life felt like. The people we loved, the places we came from, the little things we didn't realize we'd miss someday.

That's what I want to give my couples.

Photos that feel like you, that bring you right back to the people you love and the life you were living in that moment.

I'm lucky that I get to make a living doing something I'm genuinely passionate about and even luckier that I get to do it here in Ojai and throughout Santa Barbara and California.

So that's me... Tell me about yourself and your story :)

FUN FACTS:

• I’m only 4’11 and I’m really good at basketball.
• I’ve lived in Ojai since I was 5
• I never skip my coffee in the morning.. mostly because I'll get a killer headache if I do skip lol
• I ride a Honda CRF 125 dirt bike.
• I own a 1993 Ford Bronco. My baby!
• I have a five year old German Shepherd/ Black Lab doggy named Enzo.
• My favorite movie is Spirited Away. My daughter and I love all the Studio Ghibili movies!
• I also have a black cat named Kiki after Kiki's Delivery Service
• I love dancing like no one is watching.
• I listen to country, jazz, R&B and reggaeton. My Spotify playlist is a little crazy haha
• We take Halloween costumes very serious.
• Every Friday my husband and I have date night - its very important to us!
• Obsessed with OLIPOP sodas!! Specifically the grape and apple flavor.
• My recent obsession is hot pilates!
• I document my family on 35mm film
• I love thrifting!
• My home is almost all second hand treasures