Instructor Spotlight: Alexandra Votsis

GTA Photography Classes wouldn’t exist without our incredible instructors. Alexandra is not only a fantastic adults instructor, she has recently transitioned into teaching our teen fashion summer camp program in Toronto. She has worked as a fashion photographer internationally with her work being published in everything from HELLO! Magazine Greece to PhotoEd Magazine. She is a graduate of OCAD’s Photography Program.

Alex shared with us what sparked her passion for photography and travel, her favourite gear, advice for amateur photographers, and much more!

When and how did you fall in love with photography?

I was fourteen when I realized that photography is what I wanted to do. I’ve always loved looking at fashion magazines and seeing their editorials but didn’t think much of it. In my Grade 10 careers class we had a final project to research a career we’d like to do in the future. I chose being a fashion photographer and heavily referenced well-known fashion photographer, Mario Testino. I chose the topic because photography was simply what I liked and naively thought that this project wouldn’t affect my future at all – but it did. Soon after, I passed by this billboard advertisement of a David Yurman’s campaign of model Daria Werbowy and that’s when I thought to myself, “I want to do that”.

How would you define your photography style?

This is a hard one to answer. I’d love to hear how other people define my style.

What was your most memorable photoshoot or photograph?

Which piece of gear (lens, tripod etc.) is your favourite?

I love my 50mm f1.4 portrait lens.

What’s your next photography purchase?

Definitely a new lens! Either the 85mm or 24-70mm – but I also love the 35mm!

What advice would you give to amateur photographers?

What do you love about teaching Fashion Camp?

Seeing how enthusiastic the students are – especially when they work with an agency signed model in studio. It genuinely brings me joy seeing them improve and really practice what I teach them about different aspects of fashion photography, such as posing and prep before a shoot. The look on their faces and how happy they are when they playback their images of the model is priceless. They remind me a lot of myself at that age and it’s very humbling.

Just so we can find out a bit more about the person behind the lens, could you tell us…

Who is your favourite photographer past or present?  Hard to pick one! Peter Lindbergh and Will Davidson have always been very inspiring to me. I met with Will Davidson in NYC back in 2015 at his studio, which is an experience I’ll never forget.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Europe 100%. As of now I’d say Italy or Greece. Needless to say, I am very grateful to be a Canadian living in Toronto but just wish we could skip over our brutal winters. I’m all about the sun and ocean.

What’s your favourite Movie? Don’t judge me for this one but I’m a sucker for The Notebook and Titanic – those are movies that never get old to me. Same goes for The Lion King and The Hangover. 

What would you do if you won the lottery? Jackpot lottery? Travel, invest, and donate.

What’s your favourite hobby outside of photography? Painting. I wish I did it more often – it’s the best way for me to meditate and express myself in a way that isn’t for anyone else but myself.