Nice to Meet You!
- aliciadesimone
- Jan 2
- 3 min read
Aaaaand just like that, it’s 2025. What better way to kick off my photography blog than with an introduction? Welcome, and Happy New Year! I’m Alicia, a photographer based here in Philadelphia. I specialize in food, product, event, and portrait photography.
I moved to Philly in 2014 to study photography at Drexel University. If you're familiar with Drexel, you might be thinking, Wait, they have a photography program??? Yes! Amidst the sea of engineering and business majors, Drexel offers a fantastic photography program with excellent instructors and a rigorous curriculum. From the darkroom to digital, every course is taught by professionals actively working in the industry. Not only is their insight invaluable, but it’s also relevant to current industry standards. In our sophomore year, we learned the ins and outs of the view camera. In a world where nearly everyone carries a camera in their pocket, the 4x5 view camera provided a fun contrast to the digital overload surrounding us.
During my time in school, I started an internship with a local architectural photographer. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have met and learned from him—and I still collaborate with him today! While architecture photography isn’t my personal niche, I gain valuable, transferable experience on every shoot.
Assisting this photographer has broadened my perspective on client relations, business management, and, of course, all the elements that contribute to success in this rapidly evolving industry. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog series, “Assistant Archives,” where I’ll dive into the world of assisting and explore the highs, lows, challenges, and, ultimately, the immense value this experience provides.
As for my own work, I absolutely love locking myself in my studio and experimenting with food. Cooking and baking are two of my favorite hobbies, which aligns perfectly with my passion for food photography. The narratives that food styling can tell are endlessly exciting—small details like the color of a napkin or taking a bite out of a cupcake can change the dynamic of a photograph more than you might think!
In addition to food photography, I also specialize in product photography. Sometimes this means capturing straightforward product shots on a white background, often used for e-commerce. Other times, I work with bold, colorful themes for cosmetics or beverage brands. I also love blending product shots with lifestyle elements to showcase practical use or application. The possibilities are endless, and with a creative team, it’s thrilling to bring a product or brand to life in a unique way.
Outside of the studio, I do corporate photography as well. This includes event photography, headshots, portraits, and documenting the day-to-day life within a company’s office environment. While corporate photography is more straightforward than studio work, it provides opportunities to meet new people and think on my feet. In today’s digital age, where social media dominates our feeds, it’s essential for companies to have fresh, up-to-date photos that showcase their brand and the people behind it.
On a more personal note, when I’m not behind the camera or on set, you’ll likely find me with my nose buried in a cookbook or spending time with my partner and our cats. I also enjoy hiking throughout the tri-state area, curating the perfect spread of snacks for a horror movie marathon, and snapping pictures of every vanity license plate I come across.
Nice to meet you! Whether you're a potential client, a fellow photographer, or someone who just stumbled upon this post, thank you for tuning in. You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.