Photo: Alex Smith

Alex Smith's 'Your Life by Alex' finds magic in the everyday chaos of family life

PARK CITY, Utah —  The best images happen when no one is posing—when life unfolds naturally and the camera becomes invisible.

That’s the driving force behind Alex Smith’s photography philosophy and her new Park City business, Your Life by Alex. The Los Angeles–trained artist, who received her BFA at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, launched her studio this summer with a portfolio that celebrates what she calls “the modern‑day Sandlot vibe”—those candid, unguarded moments that capture the essence of real life.

“I want to show that the rough edges are okay—there’s a grittiness that shows everyday life,” she said.

From advertising boards to family bonds

ArtCenter’s focus on developing working artists and creators gave Smith the foundation to turn creativity into “a full‑time career,” she said. Coursework in illustration and studio lighting sharpened her eye for composition and light, but personal milestones redirected her lens.

“My sons were born, and suddenly photography wasn’t just a hobby anymore,” Smith said of Theodore, 7, and Monroe, 3.

Documenting her children revealed how many parents struggle to capture similar moments. “I realized so many parents were missing from the frame,” she said. “I wanted to give them a way to be fully present — and still preserve those fleeting moments.”

Chasing light—California to Utah

Relocating from a walk‑to‑the‑beach neighborhood in Southern California forced Smith to rethink her settings. “Any time of day you can shoot in L.A.,” she said. “That is absolutely not true here. The sun is very harsh.”

Golden hour in the Wasatch Range often collides with toddlers’ bedtimes, so Smith now relies on filtered sunlight through aspens or indoor window blinds. “Park City’s landscape gives me new ways to play with light — even midday can feel magical with the right frame,” she said.

Presence over posing

Smith eschews rigid setups, letting children dictate the session. “Just be yourselves,” she tells families. “My job is to quietly capture what makes you you — no staging needed.”

That approach shapes her editing process. “I’m not interested in perfect,” she said. “I’m looking for the genuine, nitty‑gritty of your life.”

Seasonal mini‑sessions

This fall, Smith will offer 20-minute holiday mini-sessions in September, October and November, alongside her year-round full and mini sessions. She hopes the quick, informal sittings will convince parents that “you don’t have to curl your hair and match outfits” for a frame-worthy image.

Smith encourages clients to embrace the popsicle drips and dusty baseball diamonds that define childhood.