STYLE

My goal is to make you feel like yourself, in the best way.

We’ll often have some real real conversations before and during your shoot, and if you’re with your partner or family, this will include some prompts and light direction to generate genuine emotion and reactions. I want you to be comfortable, truly, and not feel artificial, and I want you to leave the session having had a fun and inspiring experience, regardless of the type of session or event.

My style is natural and emotive, and when the shoot calls for it, adventurous! I enjoy shooting outdoors, but have a mobile studio as well and can adapt to whatever your needs might be.

THE WAY I WORK

I pride myself on taking a feminist approach to business and to my sessions, both portrait and event. What do I mean by this? I am working to implement models that hold true to my values: empathy, understanding, equality, mindfulness, and respect. In everything from my offerings, pricing, availability, and especially the way I move through a session, I work to maintain these values above all else.

What does this mean for you?

I’ve been told my portrait sessions can be a bit like therapy, in the least scary way possible (promise). And when you receive a gallery from my event photography, you’ll realize that while you were caught in the moment of something special, I was paying attention to every detail and was capturing it from an angle you may not have thought of to give you a full story of the entire experience. In portrait work, I create a trusting and authentic space to bring out the best in yourself.

Hi!

My name is Alena Pollitt Weekes and I’m a digital photographer, technology product manager, artist, and writer based in the New York area. I’m passionate about helping people see and be seen through the art of photography and interested in the intersection between technology and social issues.

My Promise To You:

I will bring my full self to every conversation we have leading up to, throughout, and beyond your session. I will be truly authentic and honest with you and it will be FUN. I truly love doing this and I hope to help you be your full self, too. : )

QUICK FACTS

• PRONOUNS: She/Her & They/Them

• HOME: I live in Westchester County, NY, but grew up in NJ. I spent 7 years in the city before moving here. I miss Brooklyn, but I love trees and space!

• LOVE: I’m queer & non-binary, married to my husband and partner, Brian.

• PETS: We have an awesome 3-yr-old rescue pup named Scottie.

• ART: I love photography, but I also enjoy painting, drawing, and writing.

• HOBBIES: I enjoy yoga, swimming, rock climbing, and reading.

• PAST LIFE: I have worked in the technology space the last 8 years, most recently as a product manager. I am a former Division 1 swimmer at Lehigh University.

• TRAVEL: I enjoy traveling whenever and wherever, but my favorite place is Maine.

• FOOD: I’m vegan for all the reasons. Please make me vegan mac & cheese and we will be friends forever.

WHY PHOTOGRAPHY?

After nearly 8 years working in the technology space, I find that I get the most satisfaction from my job was when I was seeing people and helping them be seen. I’ve enjoyed being able to understand and identify great ideas and help bring them to life, whether that was buried in data or buried in a person’s mind. Creating new features, processes, and products from scratch, bringing order to chaos, and working as a team to bring something over the finish line is incredibly rewarding.

This I take into my photography work. I aim to marry my technical skill with my emotional senses; to capture the true essence of people and events, and help others see and remember that truth.

I am never happier than when I get to help someone realize their potential, see their own impact, bring out and highlight what makes them so important and unique. It is gratifying to help people see their genuine beautiful selves. Whether for a professional headshot, an engagement proposal, or political campaign event, and everything in between, I truly enjoy being able to use photography to capture real emotions and energy of an individual or occasion. It is even more rewarding when those images can be used to affect positive change, be it as straightforward as helping a jobseeker land a new gig, as simple as bringing awareness to an important cause, or as meaningful as freezing the moment and memories of love at a wedding.