Meet Alex Wilder | Photographer

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

Hi Alex, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started LiveWildPhotos as a way to stay connected to sports. Coming out of high school, I always enjoyed athletics and competition, and wanted to find some way to stay close to it. I unfortunately tore my ACL my senior year of football, and wasn’t able to play at all my final year. So i thought, “how do I still stay connected to the game when I can’t play anymore?” Where the brand started was a moment of realization that most of my team mates were always posting these crappy photos a friend or parent took of them, and the one company that was taking professional photos was charging an amount no high school athlete or parent could really afford. I was in the same boat, and although I wasn’t playing, my mother had her little cheap camera and was doing the same for me. So after I graduated, being that I couldn’t play football anymore, and I was slowly starting to enjoy taking photos, I filmed a video for the graduating class after me, that I spent the whole season on, and from there found a way to continue connecting with upcoming players and capturing images I knew they would enjoy

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I currently am the Photography Operations Manager for a studio in Houston, photographing high school students yearbook photos, and all other moments involving the high school seniors. I wouldn’t have gotten where I am today without my prior experiences, and the passion I hold in my work. I told my parents when I was getting my associates degree that I would turn my photography skills into a career, and although that was a crazy thought at the time, I’ve worked hard and held myself to a standard that allows me now to have a home to provide for my beautiful wife and newborn daughter. Of course, the creative road is never easy, as it’s becoming more and more saturated, and everyone who owns a phone has the ability to do what I do. But it’s the experience I provide, and the quality above all that I push that elevates me amongst the crowd. My photos are my heart, and I put 1000% into every photo I post. LiveWild will hopefully some day become more than it is now, but for now, I push LiveWildPhotos because I know everyone has a story to share, and I want to be the one to capture it

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Although I can say I’ve lived in Houston all my life, I’ve never actually lived IN Houston. I grew up in Jersey Village/Copperfield area until I was 12, and then moved to Cypress. It isn’t until about 2 years ago I moved to Tomball. I say that to say I haven’t explored the wonders of Houston much until the last few years. My favorite spot currently to photograph at is the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, for it’s beautiful greenery and multiple opportunities. As a personal spot, I don’t have anything to specific, but I enjoy grabbing a drink at Little Woodrow’s up here in Tomball, or anywhere that’s hosting a Texans game on Sundays. If you’re wanting to really just experience Houston, I used to go out to Main Street, park my car in the Mckinney Street garage, and just explore. There’s all types of fun things to see and do in the heart of the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother far and beyond. She is the inspiration that even got me started with photography, and the reason I push so hard to this day. She unfortunately passed away in 2022 due to cancer, but every day I pick up a camera, I have her to thank. She bought a Canon T3 when I was a child, and used it throughout my childhood growing up. Even in high school, I still remember her sitting in the stands with that camera, trying to capture every moment she could. She was by no means a professional, and had no desire to learn, but she enjoyed being able to catch my every move and have those memories to share & to hold for her own. After I graduated high school, she recognized I was slowly becoming interested, and bought me a Canon T7i as a graduation gift. That little gift turned into the brand I own today, and one I cherish. I used that as a way to show her my thankfulness and my passion, and wanted to make sure I was always working hard

Instagram: LiveWildPhotos

Twitter: Kingwilderr