Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Sczudlo.
Hi Alexandra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always been into cars since I was a young child. I grew up in a handful of small towns, so I only saw exotic cars in movies and magazines or once a year when Fuel Run drove past my parent’s cafe on their way to Monterey for car week. As a child, this only peaked my interest in them. In 2017 I graduated high school and started college at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. I heard about this huge car show in Phoenix on the first Saturday of every month in college. It was Scuderia Southwest Cars and Coffee. I decided I wanted to go and set my alarm clock for 4 am to make sure I’d have time to get ready, clean the snow off my car, and make the two-hour drive to the show.
At the show, I saw a ton of photographers. I’d done some nature photography in high school and was interested in it. I saw these photographers’ access to insane cars I’d only dreamed of seeing. I decided I wanted to start photographing cars. I learned of more car shows and bought a Nikon B500 point-and-shoot camera. Over the next four years of university, I drove to Phoenix every weekend to go to car shows and do photoshoots. By my sophomore year, I upgraded my camera to a Nikon D7000 and was making 4-8 trips to Phoenix and back a month. I started building friendships in the photography community. By my senior year, I upgraded my camera to a Sony A7iii and spent every Friday-Sunday in Scottsdale attending shows, making connections, and doing photoshoots for private clients. I graduated from university with my bachelor’s and immediately moved to Scottsdale. It’s now been five years since I first started photographing cars. My business has grown hugely, I have made lifelong friends with fellow photographers and car owners, and my skills have drastically improved. I’ve seen cars I never dreamed I’d see outside a movie screen or a magazine, and I’ve been able to travel to other states to photograph amazing cars.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
There have been obstacles along the way. Being a female in a primarily male-dominated industry has been challenging. You have to work twice as hard for respect, and you have to be much more careful. Photoshoots often mean meeting up with strangers in secluded places early in the morning or evening. As a female, you must know the risks and find ways to mitigate them. Living in Prescott through college was also an obstacle. It was hard to balance college friendships and maintain a high GPA for my scholarships while spending most of my free time editing photos and all my weekends in Scottsdale.
We’ve been impressed with Automotive Alex LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business provides private clients and companies with high-quality images they can use for enjoyment or advertisement. I specialize in automotive photography, but I do portrait and product work as well. I have multiple packages for individuals and companies to supply them with content. I have had several great successes, including two publications in DuPont Registry and a publication in Forbes. I also run subscription plans for local businesses to supply them with constant content.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I’ve learned a lot of things. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of hard work and dedication. My photography skills are entirely self-taught through years of trial end error. Through sheer will and persistence, I’ve honed my skills and made my photography business successful.
Pricing:
- Full Shoot $300
- Half Shoot $150
- Full Day Event: $1000
- Half Day Event: $500
- Photography Subscription: $500-$1000 per month depending on package
Contact Info:
- Website: https://automotivealex5.wixsite.com/mysite
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/automotive_alex/?hl=en
