Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Armstrong.
Hi Alexis, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
43North77West Creative Studio is a boutique photography studio specializing in event and branding photography services. We offer a wide range of photography services, including but not limited to weddings, engagement sessions, family portraits, newborn sessions, corporate events, headshots, and product photography. We pride ourselves on providing a unique and custom experience for every client. I started in graphic design in college, where I started on a journalism track. I loved writing, but my passion lay in visual creation and photo manipulation. After failing at modeling, I found out that I thrived behind the camera more than in front of it. Honestly, it was because I talked myself into believing I had no business doing this. After all, I didn’t look like the girls modeling. Fast forward 10 years and a lot of self-work, I have had the pleasure of working with inspiring people and companies. I have been fortunate enough to work with Picture Studios in Greensboro, NC, on several occasions, and they have always been a pleasure to work with. On several occasions, I have also had the honor of working with the creator of Winston-Salem Fashion Week, Nikita Wallace.
My two daughters inspired me to create a digital photography and social media safety workshop. SHESHOTIT is in its infancy of becoming a non-profit photography program geared towards inner-city girls. Our weekly course will focus on the basics of photography with a focus on creativity, inspiration, and motivation. Our goal is to provide our participants with the skills and confidence they need to pursue their photography goals, whether personal or professional. So many teen girls are experiencing body dysmorphia, bullying, self-esteem, and self-confidence issues, and a major one that many young ladies from urban backgrounds experience: is over-sexualization. After being a part of the SHESHOTIT Workshop, these young ladies will be able to use the functions of their mobile devices more effectively and creatively, but more importantly, show the community and us around them the way they see it. It may be a little unconventional, but it’s important to see what’s in their world to examine how they feel and what they are going through. I believe it is important for young black women to see themselves represented positively in the media and have the skills necessary to create their own media. Self-image is how we see ourselves – how we look, behave, and want others to see us. Self-esteem is how you value yourself and the kind of person you want to be and how you make others feel, then this workshop speaks to parents and teens alike who are learning when and how to apply safe boundaries.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wish! But I wouldn’t have made it this far. As a divorced mom of two girls, I have intense moments of self-doubt. There are moments of deep-seated imposter syndrome I have to laugh at myself when I can see again. I moved to Greensboro, NC, about two years ago with nothing. (so I’m exaggerating) I didn’t have a ‘real’ job, and some friends and family members were not as supportive as I had hoped, but it kept pushing me forward. I didn’t have any connections to this city, with the exception f my sister La’Toni Cromes, an English Pressor at A&T University. I also didn’t have any clients here, so there were many feet to pavement stopping in businesses just introducing myself and chatting!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
This year I started shopping my workshop around different orgs in Greensboro, like the Boys & Girls Club, churches, and City rec centers. The mission of this program is to provide inner-city girls with the opportunity to learn about photography and express their creativity through photography. We aim to inspire and motivate participants to pursue their photography goals and to provide a supportive and creative community for them to do so. This photography workshop will help to change the way that the community views its young women who want to be creatively seen just as male counterparts and not just subjects for men. I want people young women to see that they have value and they have something to offer. This workshop will be beneficial for the participants in terms of providing them with skills and knowledge that can help them in their future endeavors. In addition, I also believe that this workshop will also help promote a positive representation of black women in the media. I am seeking support in terms of funding for this programming. So far, I have invested $3,000 this year. SHESHOTIT will be awarded the Community Elevation Grant hosted by Greensboro Arts in 2023. The overall reaching goal I stopped is to raise $ 25,000 by 2024. I’ve gotten so much support from the community I have found around me. I am working hard to make my program a 501 3(c) because it’s truly one of a kind, and its future impact will be lasting on the communities I’d like to serve.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’m a singer too. I do not want to make it big, but I enjoy singing. Music is something that lives inside of me. It’s something I can’t escape if I try. Recently, I can be seen singing the National Anthem for the Aggie Basketball men’s and women’s team home games in Greensboro, NC. I released a single, ‘I Can’t Let You Go,’ in 2022, on all Streaming platforms. Click to listen. For now, I set up a shop in Downtown Greensboro, NC, and sing for the homeless twice a week in the summer; if you want to know the next time I’m performing, check out my socials.
Check out my IG for exclusives on video and single drops! (theRealAryes) Aryes = Aries like the sign (@TherealAryes) across all platforms.
Pricing:
- Regular Sessions start at $200
- Seniors sessions $365
- Branding Session start $400
- Event Photography 100/hr
- low fee & Free Workshop for Teens
Contact Info:
- Website: www.43north77west.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/43north77west/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/43North77West
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPfONe5CkIMtt1ZVJd0Op7Q/videos
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/therealaryes
- Other: www.43north77west.com/sheshotit
Image Credits
Photos by Alexis Armstrong of 43North77West
