Photographer – Painter

December 30, 2023

     When I first came across the photo below, I knew immediately I’d use it if she agreed to an interview before years end. She has and I am.

     “It’s Okay to not have everything figured out,” has become synonymous for many of us this past year, including myself. But I have figured out where I belong and it’s here writing these. It may not be ‘everything,’ but it is plenty enough to make me happy. Afterall, ‘I am Me.’ 

     With that said, let’s ‘Meet: Alexandra Peterkin-Ditzler,’ the photographer that clicked the shutter that captured it. 

Her Youth:

     Alexandra begins by telling me that she is “originally from down south; born in Tampa, Florida and raised in Dawsonville, Georgia.” 

     “Many of my favorite memories,” she continues, “are of spending time with my family and playing with my cousins out in the fields and in the woods out back of our properties.”  And before I could follow up, she added, “My fascination with animals and flowers has been lifelong and my days were never short of experiencing an encounter with a wild animal or running through beautiful tall wildflower patches.” 

     “We lived in farm country, and it was absolutely beautiful. Endless stretches of green pastures and cattle as far as the eye can see,” she articulates.  

      Your bio says in your youth, you won awards in writing and various art projects. Do you recall your first award in each and what were they, I queried next.

     “The first time I was recognized (outside of the school I was attending) I wrote a haiku (*poetic journal) about dolphins when I was in third grade, and it ended up being published in a poetry book. Freshman year of high school I was in a senior art class, and I really enjoyed it, “she said and continued. “I remember the rest of the world just melting away while I created something new, that was also the first time I experienced being in a flow state.”

     “I knew that my floral works (oil and watercolor) were actually pretty good, but I never thought of myself as an artist. Our last project of the year was a watercolor painting. I ended up making a tropical beach scene that I was happy with but was certainly not my favorite work. These were the pieces that would be displayed for the final art show of the year which I did not attend. I walked in class on Monday and was met with clapping from my fellow students, I had won first place!”

     “Years later I also got the opportunity to paint part of the mural on the Novacare Center. This the training facility for the Philadelphia Eagles across from Lincoln Financial Field the Eagles stadium,” she humbly adds. 

First Real Job:   

      “My ‘first real job,’ she says, “came after we had moved up to Cape May, New Jersey. I was teaching swimming lessons at the local pool when I was 12. I would ride my bike about two miles up the bay each day and get to spend the summer in the pool. My dad has had me in the water as long as I could remember and to this day I’m typically the last one out of whatever body of water I’m in.” 

     While working at the front desk of a real estate firm, Alexandra was presented with a new opportunity. That of presenting the homes in photos. She says of her humble beginning, “I got to work learning what equipment I needed and taught myself how to edit in photoshop and lightroom. I ended up having my work published locally and statewide throughout multiple different marketing avenues,” and openly admits she’s had no formal training. All the result of a ‘good eye.’

Outdoors and Animals:

      Outdoors and animals seem to be your focal points. Have you done any weddings? Receptions or graduation shots? I asked next. 

      “I actually get asked this a lot. At this point in my life, I am doing my photography purely for capturing what captivates me, and that tends to be animals and nature,” she opined. “I think it is important for people to see the connections humans and animals have. I am never more at peace or fully present then when a new animal opens up and shows me their trust.  You get to experience a nonverbal communication that comes purely from the intentions in your heart. That to me that is nature at its core; that’s love. And yes, I am that weird person that animals and babies just gravitate to, might as well embrace it right!”

       How long have you been doing this, I asked and followed with, is it your main source of income? 

      “Technically I have been a professional photographer for 10 years,” she began, “and I am working towards it being my main source of income again. When I was doing real estate photography I worked directly for a specific office. These days I am in sort of a transition period. I’m building my art business and studio (my husband and I are currently renovating our house) so I can have a designated workspace and get back to painting and drawing as well. 

Advice to the Dreamers:

     What one piece of advice would you give someone that wants to make photography their dream job?

      “My main piece of advice is a simple one, always have your camera with you. You never know where you’ll be when something captures your attention and inspiration strikes. To me photography is all about being in the right place at the right time and being present in the moment, the camera does the rest,” Alexandra says.

Advice to Younger Self:

     I’ve always wondered what advice an older me would give to my younger self. But my answers continue to change as life experiences dictate my desired response. Yeah, it’s the overthinker in me. Here I didn’t let Alexandra in on my own feelings and asked her straight forward. 

      Looking back, what would the adult you, tell the young teen that loved clipping photos out of Vogue and National Geographic about her life ahead, was my verbiage to her. 

     Her reply was quick and unscripted, “That it wasn’t a waste of time, and that you were going to create beautiful images that other people will love just like you love these.” She couldn’t have answered it any simpler.  

Christmas Time:

      I do love your Christmas Time collection; I brought up next. It’s the colors! Are they available year-round or are they seasonal? And availability?

      “Thank you so much!” She excitedly explained, “You nailed it Rick, I love capturing all the colors from the lights on the tree and beautiful ornaments. I was playing with the idea of making them available year-round. Currently I have them available November through February.” 

Website:

     Alexandra sent me a flower covered tote that arrived shortly after Christmas, I had won in a contest she held. It’s awesome! So, in full transparency, I did not ask her for this interview until the winner was announced. And no, my winning did not lead to me asking her to be interviewed, I had already planned that. In the meantime, I had been checking out her website, but I didn’t see any accessories other than the photos. 

     Not being all that tekkie, I asked, you sent me a cool flowered tote, but I didn’t see them on your site. How would one order these or was it a onetime thing? 

     Clearing up my lack of diving deeper into her site, she explained. “Thanks for asking,” she states. “My site is set up in an image forward format meaning viewers select the image they like and then have multiple mediums that they could purchase the image on. For instance, there are fine art watercolor prints with options to have them framed, metal prints, canvases, mugs, tote bags, acrylic wall art and trays, clothing, and more. I even have yoga mats; the sunset photos and wide ranch shots look amazing on them! All of these merchandise options are always available and for most items you even have the ability to customize them. 

About Me:

     Finally, everyone gets asked this question, I concluded. I’ll phrase yours a bit different because I don’t recall who followed whom first. What is it about my content that keeps you interested enough to continue following me?

      “It was funny when your name came up in the drawing, I told my husband I was so excited when you won!” she concluded, “I knew you had been liking and supporting my work for several months. I find your content to be very real and refreshing. I love that the journalist in you is still very. 

much alive and well. Your interviews are poignant, and it is clear you are interested in helping share peoples’ stories in an honest way and I feel that is still so important. I am honored to have the opportunity to be interviewed by you!”

Writers Note:

     I’d like to thank Alexandra for the time and effort she has shared with me. She’s truly a gifted artist and I hope all you readers take a moment and check her website out. Her artwork not only will make a great addition to your home or office but the perfect gift as well. 

You can find Alexandra at her sites below:

 website: https://www.ampdfineartstudio.com/ 

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ampdfineartstudio/

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMPDFineArtStudio

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