Welcome back to She Is, an interview series featuring women in business. I'm taking time to talk with the creatives, doers, and dreamers that I admire the most to learn about their work, thoughts on life, favorite places, and, of course, their jewelry.
Today I'm with Alina of Alina Clark Photography. She's a family photographer in East London, and her work is focused on natural, candid style photography without poses. We first connected when she photographed my family during an at home photo session in the fall of 2024. I wanted to capture and remember the way we were after we first moved to London, and her work stood out to me, so I reached out to book with her.
Alina has a comfortable ease about her. She came into my home for only an hour, but I could immediately tell I wanted to reconnect and get to know her more.
Lori: Tell us about your photography style. How did you decide to get into family photography?
Alina: I always wanted to be a photojournalist and was drawn to documentary photography (I have degrees in Journalism and Media & Communication). When I was on maternity leave with my first baby, I decided to leave the corporate world and do something for myself. Photography felt like an obvious choice because I was always taking photos. I then thought “I could do it around my family life!”
So that’s how it started. Initially I wanted to do solely documentary family photography but quickly realized that British people were not that keen on that type of photoshoot! But I didn’t want to do the posed still studio shoots - they didn’t feel like me. So I found a middle ground - lifestyle family photography. It sits kind of in the middle of the spectrum, so you get a combination of relaxed unposed photos of families, mixed with more posed portraits (but I still prefer for the portraits to be very candid).
Lori: What's your favorite part of your job?
Alina: Taking photos is fun, editing is fun, but I really love meeting new people. Which is strange because I’m an introvert! But I like getting to know people who I photograph, their stories and what motivated them to get in front of the camera. I have met so many great people and some of them are still in my life and I feel very lucky to be able to call them my friends now.
Lori: This absolutely tracks! Because it's what happened with us!
I'm sure it's hard to choose, but do you have a favorite place in London for photography sessions?
Alina: My favourite landmark in London is Tower Bridge - it was the very first landmark I saw when I first visited London in 2004. So when I get asked to shoot around Tower Bridge I get very excited. Not only because it’s such a beautiful and photogenic area, but also because it feels like a full circle moment. Over 20 years ago I was sitting on a bench looking at Tower Bridge, not knowing what to do with my life or where I would end up, and here I am all these years later running my own business and doing what I love. Every time I do a photoshoot in that area I get emotional and it’s like a “pinch me” moment.
Lori: You're a mom of 2. How often are you capturing pics of your own kids? Do they like to be your subjects, or do they try to hide (like my kids do)?
Alina: Not as much as I used to and as I would want to - but that’s mainly because they are now older (11 and 7) and they are at school for most of the day. I do try to photograph them doing their normal everyday things - nothing posed, just them doing their routines or documenting the current phase they’re in (for example, my daughter is cuddly toys obsessed, so I take photos of her playing with them as I know this stage is not going to last forever!). They don’t necessarily hide but as they get older they don’t always want to be photographed which I have to respect and step back.
Lori: What's the best way for someone to feel at ease while having photos taken?
Alina: To remember that feeling awkward or shy in front of the camera is completely normal! Only models and celebrities feel comfortable being photographed because that’s part of their job - and we are not like them. The sooner you realise this, the quicker you will ease into your photos being taken. And by the way - I also feel awkward in front of the camera!
Lori: Here's a (possibly) loaded question. How do you feel about the rise of AI, and does it worry or excite you?
Alina: It worries me when I see people overusing it, but at the same time it’s exciting to see what you can achieve with it. For context, I use AI in my editing when I have to fix or remove something from the image that isn’t supposed to be there. That’s when it makes my life as a photographer easier because I would have to spend hours editing something manually, when now I can do it very easily and quickly.
But I don’t like seeing it when photographers completely change their photos, for example by adding mountains to the scenery when there were no mountains there in the first place! It’s like with anything - a knife can be a useful tool, but you can also hurt someone with it. Same with AI - it can be a great tool that when used correctly it can really help in life, but when misused it can potentially cause a lot of issues.
Lori: You've been living in London for 18 years. What's it like raising a family here?
Alina: I never thought I would be raising a family here! But I suppose that’s how my life unfolded. I love London, it’s a great city to live in and I love the fact my kids get exposed to so much variety just by living in this city.
Lori: If you had to describe your own personal style, what would it be? Has being a photographer changed that, in a sense that you think differently about how you present yourself to the world?
Alina: I’ve always found it hard to define my style - I think it’s a mix of “casual comfort“ and “classic minimalist” (or at least what I think they are called!). I like to build a good looking outfit and I am a fan of timeless pieces, but I also dress for comfort and my lifestyle (I haven’t worn heels in years, for example!). I definitely dress up when I’m meeting with clients - I would never just rock up looking disheveled. Because I am the face of my brand, I think it’s important that I present myself well to the world. I might wear comfortable jeans and Converse trainers but pair it with a white cotton shirt (and jewellery). I don’t tend to experiment with my style and I like the idea of a minimalist capsule wardrobe.
Lori: If you could travel anywhere tomorrow for fun and not work, where would it be?
Alina: Barcelona. It’s my favourite city (after London). I love the food, the language (I have a soft spot for Spanish), the weather and the architecture - I am a fan of Antonio Gaudi and Basilica de Sagrada Familia is my favourite building.
Lori: The best thing you bought yourself lately?
Alina: It was a few months ago actually, but it was an investment so I will say it’s my red LED face mask. It was expensive but worth it!
Lori: When it comes to Jewelry: Are you team Silver or Gold?
Alina: Silver. I’ve tried wearing gold before but I think with my cool toned features silver suits me better.
Lori: What's in your everyday jewelry rotation currently?
Alina: I always wear a necklace of some sort - I have a few that I wear on a regular basis and currently it’s my kids’ initials on a beaded chain. I also wear earrings daily and one of my favourite pairs at the moment is the Starburst from Love Lori Michelle!
Lori: Do you have any special jewelry that is sentimental to you, or pieces that you never take off?
Alina: I never take off my wedding rings and these are obviously very special. I also have a Tiffany necklace that my husband got for my 21st birthday when we were still dating. That piece means a lot to me.
Lori: Every woman in business for herself that I know of has a future dream that's even bigger than the one that she's working on at the moment... If that's true for you, what is that next big dream or next goal on your horizon?
Alina: So maybe I’m not like other women in business because I don’t really have big dreams or goals! I know it sounds silly but I think it’s because I don’t see my job as a career where I can climb the ladder. I know some photographers dream about having associates working for them, offering photography courses, teaching etc. But I enjoy what I do and I am focusing on what I’m doing now, knowing that at some point it will naturally slow down. And maybe only then I will think about what’s next for me. So for now I’m focusing on where I am in my business and life, but at the same time always trying to better myself and offer the best service I can.
Lori: Do you have a mantra or quote or anything that you love to live by?
Alina: I have a few and I rotate them based on how I’m feeling or what’s going in my life. But one I always come back to is this one: “You are the greatest project you will ever work on. Take your time.”
Lori: Ah, I love that! We can all use a reminder to take our time...
You can follow Alina and view her beautiful portraits on Instagram at @alinaclarkphoto