10 QUESTIONS WITH @ALEXKENEALY

Here at Couturesque, we're really passionate about supporting young creatives. When we first started the site in 2014, our intention was to create a platform for budding fashionistas to share their work with their peers, minus the bureocracy and ageism of other competing publications. Enter our 10 Questions interview series, which debuted this March and has showcased the work of five (so far!) young women making an impact on the industry. For today's feature, we caught up with Los Angeles-based photographer Alex Kim Kenealy (@alexkenealy), whose dreamy portfolio touts collaborations with American Apparel, NYLON Korea, and AG Jeans. She spared some time to tell us about her work, her motivations, and how to find your own creative vision. What do you do and how did you get started? I’m a Director and Photographer. I went to college for Film Production, but I give credit to the photos/videos I was taking of my friends on my iPhone at the time. After graduation I borrowed a friend’s camera and set up a couple shoots with some friends. I didn’t really like anything I was creating at the time- I was still trying to find my style; it was more about learning how to put myself out there. What are you currently working on?

Right now I’m getting ready to launch a photo story I shot for Samantha Pleet during her visit to LA. I’ve wanted to shoot for her for sometime so I’m pretty excited about it. How do you stay motivated? Just keeping track of everything I’ve accomplished and how far I’ve come. I’m learning to give myself more credit and that’s helped a lot. What's the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Check Instagram, but if it's really early, head to the kitchen for something sweet. Sugar is the best incentive.

What store do you never leave without buying at least one thing?

The grocery store.

Go-to outfit?

I have a transitioning outfit of the week. TMI?

Trend that never dies?

Overalls.

Where do you see the fashion industry in 10 years?

Everyone will be asking me to shoot for them.

Proudest moment?

I don’t have one. I’m still waiting for it. Maybe that’s what motivates me… What advice would you give to your 17 year old self? Forget about the “right time” or the “right equipment.” Start shooting, writing, and being creative and ignore that voice in your head saying you suck (it’s a never ending struggle). Also, don’t let the way other people treat you influence how you view yourself. One day you’ll be relieved you didn’t fit in.