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

Hi Ale, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I always knew that I wanted to be a photographer. When I was 4 years old, my mom gave me a purple Mickey Mouse disposable camera and that’s when I knew. Time passed by and I was the typical teenager that documented all of her and her friends lives… the mall, parties, clubs, trips… I just couldn’t leave my camera home. I felt that keeping every moment was what I had to do, was my mission in those years. After high school I lived in Paris for six months and there I reaffirmed my decision… the beautiful setting, the art, the experiences of being abroad made me think of photography as a professional path… not just a hobby. Back home I started studying International Relations because my dad wanted me to have a “proper” diploma. I won’t lie, I truly loved it, but still I knew that it was just a complement to Photography. So, when I finished, I started flying out to New York to study photography… I fell in love. Always knew photography was IT, but when I started studying it in a more formal way… I had all the assurance I needed. By the time I was 25, photography was still a hobby, but a friend, whom I thank and love a lot, told me “lets start a photography business”… and just like that I started professionally. This was 2012. I found it easier to start with a business partner, so we could make decisions together and be brave enough to do what photography requires. Starting from a studio, to equipment, to everything! I really think you have to be brave, yo have to be convinced, you have to know you’ll never stop studying and learning and you have to know that it is art. That you have to trust yourself in the process… that in each picture you’re leaving a little of your soul… that you have to be faithful to your style, your way of doing it. After more than 4 years together… we decided to split to each would do her own “art transmission”. I started going a lot to Los Angeles for more photography courses. Worked and worked and worked… and haven’t stopped since. The jump of starting my own business was hard. I didn’t know if I could do it alone, thought about what would the clients think, it was hard… but then trusting the process, and not just that but trusting myself, helped me. Im here now, after 11 years of professionally doing photography, happy, growing, exploring. Photography is a beautiful art, you never stop learning… so its an amazing dynamic and fun business. Love the story… would do it all over again. The same way. Each decision, each photoshoot, each different lens and camera has taken me to where I am today. Thankful and happy with photography.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I´ve been in love with photography since before I was 4 years old. I remember my mom gave me a disposable camera and for me that was it… that’s when I knew I wanted to do this. I think what sets me apart is this love for photography… the capturing of moments and doing it in a honest, true way. You see many “photographers” that are really just designers ´cause they do all the “wow factor” of the picture in photoshop, or that take the pictures in automatic for example… and I love the art, the craft… the time to do it, the light… this sets me apart… that in my photographs you can see the years of experience, the knowledge of the light and of the theory and the love for it.

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?
I would definitely start our weekend long adventure in Denver. First, on Friday, we would go to Sunnys for an amazing breakfast, more specifically I’d order us two Good Night sandwiches (eggs, chorizo, tomato, avocado, and Boursin stuffed between two grilled cheese sandwiches… amazing!) Then we’d go to the Denver Art Museum and if we were up to it then we’d go to get some inspiration to the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. Then we’d surely be hungry, so we’d go to Dio Mio, for some handmade pasta and we’d close the day with visiting one of the many local distilleries… maybe Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey. On Saturday we would have breakfast at Sassafras American Eatery, I would get the Bison hash and chicken-fried eggs for sure!! Then we’d go to some art gallery and prepare to go to Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre… we’d do a hike and then finish the day with a concert in the venue. Finally on Sunday, we would go to Rosenberg’s Bagels & Delicatessen for bagels of course! Then we´d go shopping, maybe a mall or maybe to Cherry Creek North and walk its blocks and blocks of stores. Finally, we’d have a goodbye dinner at Noisette.

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 would dedicate this shoutout to my family. They have been my most avid fans, supporting me always and encouraging me to keep on going… always!! First to my kid, for giving me a new perspective on life, on beauty, on art… for inspiring me daily. To my husband, who since the first date has encouraged me to take risks and keep this beautiful passion for the arts growing. For supporting me and for finding the time to help always. To my mom, for starting all this!! For that Mickey Mouse camera, and all my cameras, for supporting me with the courses, the equipment and all. For giving me her truthful opinion and for passing me her great eye!! My sister, for being my first student in my photography courses and for always recommending me to everyone she knows. For showing me order and perfection. My nieces for buying my art from the beginning and inspiring me so much as well. For, together with my son, making it fun. Sonia for being always there and supporting me always, for her truthfulness. My dad too, for being there and for his valuable opinions. Also, Henry, my grandfather who was an amazing photographer. It was one of his hobbies, but he was truly something! For giving me his cameras and inspiring me… for introducing me to this amazing path. I know he smiles from heaven whenever I get a new lens, or when I’m shooting. Without my family´s love and encouragement I would have never been able to do this.

Website: www.alesierra.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/alesierrafotografia

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alesierra

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alesierraladron

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/alesierraphoto/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Image Credits
Alejandra Sierra Ladron de Guevara (They’re all mine)

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