Today we’d like to introduce you to Alesia Hardy.
Hi Alesia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I originally went to Oregon State University to become a teacher and graduated with a psychology major and education minor, ready to start my master’s at PSU when Covid hit. During that time, I filmed my mom’s backyard wedding on an iphone and realized this was a side hustle I wanted to do during my summers off as a teacher. Within a year, the “Alesia Films” business took off on social media and I was quickly fully booked with 30+ weddings throughout the entire year across the entire country. After a couple more years of working full time, I eventually hit a destination wedding market and started traveling to places like Italy, Mexico, Thailand and Scotland.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the most part, I have been really blessed with some amazing couples that always understood where I was at in my filmmaking style and business journey. Because of their support, I was able to grow really fast and build my camera inventory to the collection it is now. If I had to pick one major struggle, it was definitely the learning curve of all the technical specs that come with learning how to use a camera. Thankfully, everything I needed to know was on Youtube so I was able to DIY a lot of my own learning and learn a lot through trial and error.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a wedding photographer and videographer based in Portland, OR that travels worldwide capturing couple’s celebrations. I specialize in blending digital and film mediums with the use of vintage cameras such as super 8’s, 16mm, 35mm and 120 cameras. I’m most known for super 8 and have gone viral for bringing the super 8 revival to the wedding industry. I am most proud of the community I’ve built doing this career. It can be very isolating at times, mainly working from home and behind a desk, but Portland has gifted me with some of the best creatives who have become my best friends from doing this job. What sets me apart from others is the way I observe and capture light and composition on a film camera. I’ve mastered a very specific “high end” film look that I think resonates with a lot of couples who are set on a timeless edit for their memories.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The thrifting and antique malls around Portland is my all-time favorite activity. I thrift home decor, office decor, clothes and gifts from the local thrifts around Portland all the time. And if anyone new is coming to the city, I almost always take them to Memory Den, the largest antique mall in Portland.
I would admit my least favorite thing about the city is the traffic – but that’s an easy price to pay when you have a beautiful view of Mt. Hood in the distance as you’re stuck on the bridge!
Pricing:
- Wedding Photography averages around $10k
- Wedding Videography averages around $12k
- 1-2 hour engagement sessions or family photoshoots average around $1500.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alesiafilms.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alesiafilms/
