Meet Alisa Messeroff | Women’s Empowerment Photographer and Intuitive

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

Hi Alisa, what role has risk played in your life or career?
The dictionary defines risk as “a situation involving exposure to danger.” I don’t necessarily believe in that definition. I believe a risk is an opportunity that some are just too cautious to take. Society would probably view my life as “risky.” I quit my corporate NYC job in 2011 to travel the world with my husband. I can’t tell you how many people said to me “That is a super risky move.” I was always confused by that response. How could following my dreams be a super risky move? By taking this leap I started finding myself, slowly taking the steps to the woman I am today. I am a confident and succesful entrepreneur. If I had not taken the leap of leaving a stable job to follow my dreams, I can’t imagine where I would be. However, I can say that I know I would not be as happy as I am now. I am very grateful that I can wake up and look forward to each day; I absolutely love what I do.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I quit my corporate NYC job I purchased a camera before we left for our travels. I always loved photography and decided that I would teach myself. Back then there were not the accessible resources there are today, so I literally just taught myself everything. I started with landscape photography and when we came back to the states I decided I would dive into portrait photography. I remember telling my dad I was going to be a photographer. He looked at me and said “You can’t earn a living from photography,” for some that would be enough to make them quit, but for me it fueled the fire. So I am actually very appreciative of the doubt he had. And I don’t believe the doubt was just in me but also what society has instilled in him; that it is very hard for creatives to become successful. He and I have a chuckle over it now, because he knows how wrong he was. I am a professional photographer specializing in families, seniors and couples, you can view my work at Alisa Messeroff Photography (www.alisamesseroffphotography.com). Then last year Covid hit, and my perspective on life started to shift. I absolutely love photography but is there more out there? In October 2020 I launched Unapologetically You Studios (www.unapologeticallyyoustudios.com), a luxury boudoir portrait experience. I want women to start loving themselves for who they are and to be Unapologetically Themselves! Being able to help others see their beauty not only on the outside but on the inside has been such a gift and I am really excited to see what Unapologetically You Studios can grow into. I also have been using my intuitive ability to help guide me and my clients in this journey. Alongside finding myself through photography, I also decided to stop being scared of society and society’s rules and open up more about my past experiences with spirit. In doing that, Channeled Clarity was formed (my reiki and intuitive practice). After 36 years I am becoming very comfortable sharing my past. I have been given a gift from the universe and that gift comes in the form of visions and feelings. I have been able to help many people through some very difficult times through these modalities. I use reiki to help unlock blocked energy channels and along with the visions I receive it is really just an amazing experience for all. What it really comes down to, is dream big and go chase those dreams. Take the leap, trust your intuition, work hard and you can achieve everything you have ever wanted. And remember, not everyone is going to be your cheerleader, but that doesn’t matter, you need to be your #1 cheerleader.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My answers would probably be different if Covid wasn’t here so let’s just pretend there is no Covid! I would always have my bestie come visit me in Breckenridge in the summer, because that is my favorite time of year in Breckenridge! A lot of our trip would be outside, whether we were just having a picnic somewhere, a nice hike or just walking through town We would do happy hours every day: Modis, BoLD, Aurum, Blue River Bistro and Carboy Winery! As for some yummy food: Piante Pizzeria (vegan or not) is hands down the best pizza and fun atmosphere, Relish is absolutely delish, Briar Rose mmmmmm…. I could go on and on We would see a play at Breckenridge Backstage Theatre and see music at Riverwalk. Then we would go dancing and my go to has always been Goldpan!!! And lastly we would of course do an empowering boudoir session for her!

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 have met so many people throughout my life that have made such a profound impact on the woman I have become today. My husband has been my number one supporter through it all and I can’t thank him enough. We have had so many adventures together and I am so thankful for his love and encouragement. Love you babe! With that said, one family really sticks out. While traveling through Australia my husband and I did a lot of Home Exchanges. We would stay in peoples home and they would provide us room and board and we would provide them with whatever they needed done. For example, throughout our stay we did gardening, computer work, painting, grooming pets, cooking and more! We stayed with this one family, The Macklin’s. Such a wonderful family, the dynamic of the family was filled with so much unconditional love but also so much wisdom. Paul (the husband) and Sallie-Ann (the wife) taught me SO MUCH during our stay. Looking back at my life I really think I started to become my true self during this stay. The more I learned the more I was becoming secure in who I was. I was never one of the “typical” kids, at a young age I saw an angel in my bedroom and my mom said I was making things up. As I continued to see spirits I never talked about it. I didn’t want to be the odd one out. Meeting the Macklin’s they had a different perspective on life. A perspective that felt like home to me, and although I didn’t open up to them about my spiritual experiences they helped me to be proud of who I was. I no longer needed to hide the real me. Paul is not only an amazing life coach but also an incredible artist and Sallie-Ann was a beautiful portrait photographer. Being surrounded with other artists was my calling. I remember when we left our stay with them I cried. Fortunately, we got to stay with them again towards the end of our travels in Australia and we still keep in touch to this day. This family changed my life, I started to really accept myself which ultimately led me to become a successful photographer and intuitive.

Website: www.unapologeticallyyoustudios.com

Instagram: unapologeticallyyoustudios

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theunapologeticallyyousociety

Other: Alisa Messeroff Photography: www.alisamesseroffphotography.com instagram.com/alisamesseroffphotography facebook.com/alisamesseroffphotography Channeled Clarity: www.channeledclarity.com