Alexis Nelson 3/6/24 Alexis Nelson 3/6/24

MARCH FORWARD!

Hello Everyone!

Here we are in MARCH! Winter is winding down and spring is upon us.

Hello Everyone!

Here we are in MARCH! Winter is winding down and spring is upon us. I may not have posted in awhile but I have been hard at work. I am sure you have all seen the changes to my website and around.

First, I have completely revamped my website. I have moved all my fine art prints back to Etsy. AlexisNPhotography.com however is still very much up and running. You can go there 24/7 to book your Product Photography or Portrait photo sessions. I am super pumped that I have that up and running. I absolutely love helping small businesses by taking pictures of their products and even business itself. It is so much fun to work with the makers/business owners on what makes their company and product unique and highlighting it in the photos I take. Listening to their goals for their photo shoots and their business and then seeing the look on their faces with the finished photos just makes my day.

As someone who herself hates to have her picture taken, I have made it my mission to make my portrait and brand clients feel both comfortable and confident in front of the camera and let their true selves come out. I like to see my clients have fun in front of the camera with fun poses, locations and even props.

I you are interested in either of these services, let me know or visit my website to ask any questions or book.

Of course, if it is my fine art photography you are looking for, I have one more show scheduled for March, the Norman Wine and Craft Festival at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds on Saturday March 9 from 9am to 5pm. I hope to see you all there.

ALSO, I am now in TWO stores in the OKC Metro area. Handspun Co-op at the Farmers Public Market at 311 S. Klein Suites B, C, D and The Oracle Vintage and Arts. Located at 733 N. Moore Ave in Moore, OK. And The Oracle’s Grand Opening is this THIS Saturday, March 9. So stop on by. Both Handspun and The Oracle have an amazing collection of vintage (The Oracle), food (Handspun) and art (both) vendors to take care of all your shopping needs and desires.

As always, you can always stay tuned to this blog or my Instagram and Facebook for news on upcoming shows. But if you just can’t make it to a show or the above mentions stores, you can visit my Etsy store 24/7 for all your favorites. I would love to see you there and just love when I get orders. 😊

Well, that is all for me today. I will be back next month with more news and some fun tidbits. One of my goals this year is to also try and teach something.

See you soon.

Alexis Nelson 12/4/23 Alexis Nelson 12/4/23

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME…

Hello! And Happy December! I love December! Its my favorite month. Christmas is my favorite holiday and my favorite time of year.

Hello! And Happy December! I love December! Its my favorite month. Christmas is my favorite holiday and my favorite time of year.

There is also soo much going this month. So much in fact, this blog is being released on December 4! My birthday is also in December (hence my favorite month), its also the anniversary of my photography business. While I started printing and selling my prints about 3 years ago, it was December 7th of 2022 that I decided to take a leap of faith and concentrate on this business full time. It has been the craziest year! It is a brand new business so I won’t bore you with the mundane typical aspects of it, but it has been so fun to jump into this adventure. I have learned so much about myself, not to mention business, photography, etc. But most of all, I have enjoyed meeting all of you. Whether it be at art shows, online or just around town. Your interest and support mean the world to me and keep me going. You are the greatest gift!

With Christmas comes Christmas shopping! I don’t know about you, but I am my favorite person to shop for. So weather you are shopping for yourself or someone else, you cannot go wrong with photography. Its timeless, beautiful and you can find a print, greeting card or wood mount for any style or occasion. I will be at four markets in the beginning of the month. All listed above. Two markets, Makers at the Market and the Norman 2nd Friday Art Walk I have done before and love! Art walks are so much fun and around Christmas time, they get so much more festive! So dawn your favorite handknits and warmies and grab a hot cocoa and I will see you there! On Saturday December 2nd, I will be at the Yukon Czech Christmas Market for the first time. I am so excited about this one. All the traditional Christmas fun from Old World Europe to Oklahoma, Santa, hot cocoa so many artisans. It is going to be a fun day in Yukon guarantied to get you into the Christmas spirit. I will also be in Chickasha on Saturday December 9 for the Chickasha Wine & Craft Festival. This is put on by the same wonderful people who hosted the Guthrie Wine & Craft Festival so you know there will be amazing wine, food and Christmas shopping in a great location if you happen to live in the area or just want to explore a new corner of Oklahoma.

If you have already completed your Christmas shopping for everyone on your list, All the these above events are the perfect place to treat yourself to the special gift and day you deserve. And as always, when you buy local, not just from me, but from any of the wonderful artisans at these markets you are making their holidays bright and merry as well. Its a win win. Also, if you happen to be downtown by the Farmers Public Market at 311 S. Klein in OKC, you will find some of my prints at the newly opened Handspun Co-op. You will find foodie treats, handmade goods and works my local artists, including yourself. The perfect gift for you or someone you love.

As always, if you cannot make it to any of my pop-ups or events, you can shop my website, www.AlexisNPhotography.com 24/7 for the perfect gift. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook at AlexisNPhoto to stay up to date on all the news and events.

That’s all I really have for today. I plan on taking it easy for the second half of December and resting for the New Year. I hope you also stay safe, warm and happy this holiday season and I hope to see you soon.

Happy Holidays!!

-Alexis

Alexis Nelson 11/16/23 Alexis Nelson 11/16/23

My Why

Why I Do What I Do

What made me want to be a photographer? Why do gravitate to photography as a medium? I get asked these two questions all the time.

What made me want to be a photographer? Why do gravitate to photography as a medium? I get asked these two questions all the time.

I think I have always been a photographer; I remember when I was little, I had a Fisher Price camera. It was real, it used film and took real pictures. I carried that thing around everywhere. I have always had a camera. Not necessarily a fancy camera but a camera none-the-less. My mother took photography in college and knows her way around the camera and how to focus and find a good shot getting the angle and color right. Maybe this is where I got that from. From watching her. She and my aunt are also artists, my aunt is a painter. I think art runs in my blood. I studied design, marketing and art history in college but of course took the safe route and entered the corporate world after graduation.

In my late thirties I realized I had an abundance of pictures on my computer from my travels and I should do something about them. Looking at them, I realized they were good. They weren’t just generic pictures of famous landmarks or signs, they were the mood of the place itself, nature, trees, the colors and detail of the buildings. If the photo was of a famous landmark, they were of an angle that one would not expect. I love to travel but growing up in a touristy city, I hate the tourist spots. I may go and spend 5 minutes just to say I have been there, but I like the out of the way places, the soul of the place. The detail. My computer was filled with these as well as flowers, trees, and leaves from hikes with my husband. I love the macro details in the veins, how the sun shines through, and depth and variations of color in nature. I had photos of architectural décor of the rooftops of the city. In the ocean, I focused on the foam and motion of the waves and color variations of the setting sun. These pictures could not just sit and rot on a hard drive for all eternity.

So, I decided to print a few and open an Etsy Shop. Maybe attend a few art and vendor fairs. That went ok, I didn’t make a ton of money, but I had fun, and it was exciting selling my pieces and having them admired by others. Then Covid hit. I took a pause on my Etsy and art fairs, mostly because art fairs were not happening due to the pandemic. I had also just got a new corporate job and was excited about it. Fast forward 2 years and I decided that the world and I had recovered enough. I would start doing art and vendor fairs again. The bug bit me hard! I remembered how much I loved taking photos, editing those photos, and sharing my work with everyone. That was the summer of 2022. Aside from starting shows again, it was a rough year personally, and from May through December I realized through a series of tragedies that life is short! So, in December of 2022, I did it. I took a leap of faith. Quit my corporate job and decided to focus on my photography full time. I enjoy every second of it! There are ups and downs just like in life. One would think it is frightening but I don’t have time to be scared. I’m too excited to be scared. I am sharing my art with the world. I am a businesswoman selling my art as well as my services and expertise as a Product Photographer. (I knew all those visual marketing and art classes would pay off someday). I no longer have my Etsy store as I have built my own website. If you are reading this, you are probably on it. If not, AlexisNPhotography.com.

So, here is my why. It happened by chance but that is how the best things happen.

-Alexis

Alexis Nelson 11/2/23 Alexis Nelson 11/2/23

Halloween/November Edition

Hello! Here we are, in November. the holidays are now upon us. While was a few days ago, I fell it deserves its time and I just cant bear taking down my Halloween decorations just yet even though I am already seeing Christmas commercials. I do love Christmas, its my favorite time of year, but lets not forget about Novembers holiday, THANKSGIVING! YUM! While I do absolutely love Thanksgiving, I am allowing Christmas to bombard us in all its sparkly and commercial glory, (while my Halloween decorations remain up for just a few days more). But remember, we still have turkey and stuffing to eat.

November Events

That being said, my November is a bit more quiet than October was with only 2 events.

Next weekend, 11/4, I will be in Sallisaw, OK for their first ever Red Autumn Art Festival. We will be at the fair grounds and artists from all over the country will be there showing off their talent. I am so excited to be a part of this show and the first one as well. I hope you are able to make the trip to see me.

I will also be at the Norman 2nd Friday Art Walk on Friday 11/10. I know I said I would be there last month and backed out at the last minute. Logistically with setting up early for the next days shows, etc. It just did not seem feasible. I am only human after all. But I am excited to be here on the 10th. Don’t forget, the holidays are upon us and its the perfect time to start your Christmas shopping.

I hope to see you at any of these events but if you are not able to make it, you can always visit my website at www.alexisNPhotography.com to pick up your favorite print, greeting cards or wood mounted piece.

Remember, you can also keep up with where I am at on my Facebook and Instagram pages.

New Product!

New product has arrived on my website just in time for the holidays. These are from a year ago on a trip I took with my Mom to Northwest Arkansas and Natural Falls State Park in Northeast Oklahoma, as well as some from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Below is a quick collage and where you can find them. All are available in 8x10 prints and greeting cards.

That’s all I have for today. Stay cozy as the world settles into autumn.

Talk to you then and Happy Fall!

-Alexis

Alexis Nelson 10/4/23 Alexis Nelson 10/4/23

Welcome Fall!

Hello! Happy October everyone and welcome fall! I love fall! I can’t say it enough. It is my favorite season. The leaves are changing into beautiful red, orange, gold and yellow colors, there is a cool crispness in the air and yes, PUMPKIN SPICE. Say what you will about pumpkin spice but I proudly proclaim myself a “Basic B” and love pumpkin spice everything!

October Events

I have quite a busy month ahead of me and plenty of time to spend in the fall air. My October schedule is below and I am looking forward to each and every one of these events. Some, like the Norman Twilight Market and Spoke Street Market are regular events which I love because the venues are so awesome and organizers work so super hard month after month making these events fun not just for the customers but for us vendors too. For me, it doesn’t feel like going to work, it feels like I am seeing my friends. Which makes me love my job even more.

I will also be in Medicine Park this weekend for the Annual Flute and Art Festival. I have never been to this festival before so I am very much looking forward to it. I however LOVE Medicine Park. it is such a funky little town nestled in the Wichita Mountains in Southwest Oklahoma about 90 minutes south of OKC. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend at least taking a day trip down.

I will also be at the Norman 2nd Friday Art Walk on of course Friday the 13th, then up early on the morning of the 14th for the Christmas Market at the Farm at Wells Christmas Tree Farm and of course up to Guthrie the next weekend for the Guthrie Wine and Art Festival. None of these I have ever done but I am super excited about them. Why not be? Food, shopping and always entertaining. And me, I love seeing and talking to everyone so its just a good day all around.

I hope to see you at any of these events but if you are not able to make it, you can always visit my website at www.AlexisNPhotography.com to pick up your favorite print, greeting cards or wood mounted piece. You can also find out wherever I am by subscribing to my newsletter, and following me on Instagram or Facebook for all the latest.

New Product!

I have several new items that I have already premiered at my recent shows and should have up on the site shortly. But here is just a quick sneak peek. I know I just came back from Arizona and took a ton of pictures, but I have so many pictures, I am working editing prints from a while back. These are from a year ago on a trip I took with my Mom to Northwest Arkansas and Natural Falls State Park in Northeast Oklahoma, aw well as some from Santa Fe, New Mexico. As soon as I get these items up on my site, you my dear subscribers will be the first to know as they are going fast!

That’s all I have for today. I will be back in a bit with more updates and exciting travel and product news.

Talk to you then and Happy Fall!

-Alexis

Alexis Nelson 9/19/23 Alexis Nelson 9/19/23

September

Hello! Well I don’t know about you, but my September so far has been BUSY! It started off with a vacation and now that I am back I hit the ground running with all things website, shows and my photography.

Where did I go on my vacation you ask? To Las Vegas of course. If you know me, you know I grew up there and my Mom still lives there, so I try to go at least once a year. The whole city to me has the air of any hometown for anyone. You know, the town you grew up in then left and whenever you go back to visit the memories start flooding in. As I am my Mother’s daughter and I got my travel gene from her, whenever we get together, we always plan some type of road trip; this year, it was to Sedona and Canyon de Chelly in Arizona.

Sedona was amazing and if you have the chance to go, I highly recommend it. It really does have some kind of mystical feel to it. I myself just felt very grounded and still, like I could finally just be still and present. The town is also absolutely gorgeous! Built on and surrounded on all sides by beautiful red rocks, there is not a bad view anywhere. As evidenced by the best view I have ever had from a hotel room.

The town itself is not short on things to do, but if you are a hiker, this town is for you. Mom and I hiked a bit up Bell Rock a before heading on a scenic train tour of the valley. This train ride was probably the highlight of the trip for me. It was so fun. You get seats in an air conditioned car complete with snacks and drinks and there is an outdoor observation car with a very knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide to tell you all the things you are passing. The weather was so beautiful I think I spend most of the ride outside, learning about the history and surroundings of the area and of course taking a million pictures. A note on the pictures, all the pictures you see in this blog are un-edited and come from my phone, but hopefully provide enough of a preview for what I have coming from my camera ;) .

The next day, Mom and I drove northeast about 2 hours to Canyon de Chelly National Monument. This is in the middle of nowhere but well worth the drive. This canyon is not as large or as popular as its “grand” cousin to the west, but still absolutely breathtaking. There is hiking, but mom and I simply drove around on the North and South Rims and pulled of on all the lookouts to aww and take pictures. One of the best things about this place is that is not as popular so not as many people so you can really listen to nature and take in the beauty.

Now that I am back home, its go time. You may or may not have seen/heard that I have added a newsletter sign-up to my website. Inaugural issue of my newsletter to debut shortly, so be sure to sign up so you don’t miss a thing. It will feature a link to this blog as well as news of new products, prints and shows.

Speaking of shows, I have a few shows left for September and I hope to see you there. I have also re-ordered some favorite inventory and some new prints as well.

9/22 - Wheeler Concert Series, Wheeler Ferris Wheel, 7-10pm, Oklahoma City

9/23 - Norman Twilight Market, The Well in Norman, 5-9pm, Norman

9/29 - Spoke Street Night Market, Wheeler District, 5-9pm, Oklahoma City

Talk to you all soon and WELCOME FALL!!!!!!

-Alexis

Alexis Nelson 8/17/23 Alexis Nelson 8/17/23

You Must Travel A Lot?

Driving through the Grand Mesa, Colorado

I get so many questions when I do my shows. One of the biggest is, “you must travel a lot?” Well, to answer, I guess? I love to travel and would do it waaay more than I already do if I could. I love to see new places and have new experiences. But traveling a lot? I guess I would say I travel as much as a normal person. My husband likes to travel also, so when we can we at least like to plan little getaways on 3 day weekends and holidays. We were lucky enough in February to go to Hawaii where I got some amazing pictures and an equally amazing time, and we also just got back from Colorado, (blog post on that coming soon). No matter what, even if I am just going 2 hours away, I am always taking my camera, and I must give some credit to my wonderful husband to being my location manager and pointing things out, like a cool tree or a bird or even a bison sunning itself.

I would however be the first to tell you, I have a permanent case of wanderlust. I have even planned my next vacation while on vacation, including looking at hotels while waiting for my flight home. Because I always need to have somewhere to go. Like I said, its the new places, experiences and adventures I am after. I want to see as much as I can and don’t want to be 90 sitting in a nursing home saying I never left my state.

One of the reasons I decided to pursue my photography full time was to give myself the opportunity to travel. When you work a corporate job, you only get 2 weeks of vacation a year (which is not nearly enough) and even then, your going on that fabulous trip is dependent on your bosses approval. While I am now self-employed and get unlimited vacation days, even though I realize I am not getting paid for them, I will happily take it. Working my booty off to make it financially worth while. Plus, the camera is always with me so I am sort of working (but are you really working when you are having fun).

So answer the answer the question above, do I travel alot? Not as much as I would like, but I treasure when I can and love sharing the pictures I take on my travels.

Alexis Nelson 8/2/23 Alexis Nelson 8/2/23

Its August!

Happy August everyone! Last month of summer. We got through the July heat and now we are on the down slope. Still plenty of time to travel and enjoy summer, but things are beginning to wrap up.

As for my shows, if you follow me on Instagram @alexisnphoto, you would have seen the above post of my shows. First is the Pancakes & Booze art show on August 5th from 8pm to midnight at the Farmers Public Market in OKC. I am really excited about this one. It is a traveling show, going to cities all over the country showcasing local artists. Instead of my usual prints that are available for sale on this site, I will have a few larger framed prints displayed and available for sale as well as some matted prints. There is a cover to get in but free pancakes and cash bar, and the promise of great art should be for a great evening. I can’t wait to see you there.

On August 20th I will be doing Delmar Bites. This is such a fun event put on by the greatest people. Local artists and makers all under one air conditioned roof at the Anthem Brewery from 1pm to 4pm. In addition to some serious artistic talent, there will be food trucks and of course beer! I will have all my product set up and will be soaking in the party atmosphere. Come on down for some mid-day A/C and fun.

August 25th I will once again be at the Spoke Street Night Market in the Wheeler District in OKC from 6pm to 9pm. This event is awesome! Every Friday they have a farmers market and on the last Friday of the month they invite local artists and makers to come as well. Since its a night market, it won’t be as hot and there is nothing like summer nights. So soak them up while you still can. You can get your grocery shopping done at the farmers market then wander a few feet to us artists and makers and pick yourself up something special. This is such a cool little neighborhood and a night market just makes it magical.

So that is it for my August events. Like I said before, I have a few things under my hat that I will let you know about all in good time. But I can’t wait to see you at any of or all of the above events. I for one love doing these and I also cannot stress enough the importance of shopping and supporting local artists and makers. We pour our heart and soul into what we do and we love to share it. And it is true, every time you buy something from us, we do a little happy dance.

I will see you all later, stay save and cool in this heat.

-Alexis

Alexis Nelson 7/20/23 Alexis Nelson 7/20/23

Upcoming Shows!

I still have 2 shows this month if you want to see me in person. If not, everything is available on my site and I will be happy to ship to you!

Hi All,

Just real quick as July is winding down (finally!) Does anyone else feel like July has lasted like a year or is it just me?

Anyway, I still have 2 shows this month if you want to see me in person. If not, everything is available on my site and I will be happy to ship to you!

July 21st

Wheeler Summer Concert Series - Wheeler Ferris Wheel - OKC - 7-10 PM (flyer in this post)

July 28th

Spoke Street Night Market - Wheeler District - OKC - 6-9 PM

I will see you there. Stay tuned to this spot every month for upcoming shows and don’t forget to follow me on social. AlexisNPhoto (Instagram and Facebook)

Alexis Nelson 5/28/19 Alexis Nelson 5/28/19

Hello!

Why am I here? Why did I start a website for my photography and why am I writing about it?

Ok, its not really about writing about my photography, its more a supplement to the photography and maybe a peek in me and my life.

I’m not going to give you the marketing bio that I send to committees when I apply to shows so basically, after deciding that my typical 9-5 corporate job was interfering with my dream and goal of starting a new business, I quit. Just like that (ok, not just like that but I will spare you the details). Now I am here making millions selling my photos. Not quite yet, but some day. I keep myself busy editing an ever growing backlog of photos from my travels, learning how to design and build a website and SEO and applying for and going to local art shows and vendor markets in Oklahoma. I also deliver groceries. Which I like. I like driving and shopping and it is a seriously good workout. So it works.

Since quitting my corporate job, I have never felt happier or worked harder. I feel like I am finally in charge of my life. I am my own boss and I am in charge of how much money I make.

I live in Oklahoma City with my husband and cat. Hubs and I both love to travel and do so whenever we can. Otherwise we are pretty much homebodies when we are not working.

At the moment, I am working on editing new photos in my spare time. I am taking a class on SEO and digital marketing so that sparetime is getting smaller by the minutes.

However, keep an eye on this spot, my intention with this blog is to give insight and background of my travels, photography and the life of an artist/entrepreneur.

Talk to you again soon.