Meet Alfield Reeves | Freelance Editorial & Portrait Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alfield Reeves and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alfield, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued my creative career because I didn’t really want to be at the day job I was at. I was a tutor coordinator and loved the kids I was working with but didn’t want to be there anymore. So I took the leap of faith and quit my job and have been a full-time photographer since.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was born in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, and came to the states when I was about 3 or 4 to Brooklyn first and then to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where I’m based now. I have always been creative and earlier on in my life that creative expression came out though writing, mainly poetry. It wasn’t until my sophomore year at Western Michigan University that I found photography. Brittany Glanton, a friend of mine, who was studying media studies asked me to do some hand modeling for her because I would always wear bracelets I had from home. So, during our session, I just started asking questions about photography and she said I should try it. I happened to have $300 saved that summer for something that I can’t remember to date. So, I asked on Facebook if anyone was selling a camera. Someone from my church happened to be selling a Nikon D40 that I bought. I started taking pictures mainly of myself, bible studies and events for the Christian organization I was part of, senior pictures, and different events on campus. In August of 2017, I went full-time after being a tutor coordinator for 2 years.

Since then, I have had the opportunity to travel to places like New York, New Orleans, and Miami, work with artists like Dawn Richard and Mannywellz, and be published in places like Vogue Greece, The New York Times, ProPublica, Insider and the Grand Rapids Magazine. The best part of it all is being my own boss and the flexibility that comes with that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
– Breakfast at Real Food Cafe – Walk around downtown
– have lunch at 40 acres
– Go bike riding or walk on some trails
– Dinner at Leo’s Seafood Restaurant & Bar
– movie at studio park

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I spoke at the Grand Rapids Art Museum in 2022 and my talk was really me paying homage to the people snd communities that helped shaped me and my success. Here is the link to watch the entire talk and Q&A that followed – https://vimeo.com/698632549

But to answer the question my faith, business and creative communities deserve the credit and recognition

Website: https://www.alfieldreeves.com/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/alfieldreevesphotography/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfield-reeves-548304b7

Image Credits
Alfield Reeves Photography