Alexis BendicksonResearcher · Writer · Advocate

Photography

Before the archive, there was the lens.

From 2014 to 2018 I ran an independent photography studio serving more than 200 clients — portraits, families, and visual storytelling across Missouri and Kansas.

Photography taught me to look carefully — a skill I now bring to archival documents. Running the studio meant managing everything: client relationships, contracts, scheduling, marketing, and brand development, alongside the creative work itself.

These days the camera comes out for research trips, landscapes, and family — including the golden-hour portraits below, all shot and edited on iPhone.

Book a session

iPhone portrait sessions

Real portraits, honest prices. I shoot on iPhone and edit in Lightroom — golden hour is my favorite light, and Huntsville is full of it.

$75

Mini session

20 minutes, one location, 10 edited high-resolution photos. Perfect for updated family photos, senior portraits, or headshots.

$150

Signature session

Up to 60 minutes, one to two locations, 25+ edited high-resolution photos with an online gallery. For maternity, engagement, family, and seniors who want the full set.

Custom

Events & more

Small events, branding sessions, and creative projects — tell me what you're dreaming up and we'll build it together.

Ready to book? Sessions in the Huntsville, Alabama area — get in touch with your date and session type.

Limited dates · Fall 2026

Fall mini sessions

Golden-hour minis at Big Spring Park — 20 minutes, 10 edited photos, $75. Perfect for Christmas cards, senior portraits, or just because the light is too good to waste.

$75

What you get

20-minute session at Big Spring Park in downtown Huntsville. 10 edited high-resolution digital photos in an online gallery. Shot on iPhone, edited in Lightroom.

3 dates

When

Saturday, October 24 · Sunday, November 1 · Saturday, November 7, 2026. Golden-hour time slots — they go fast.

DM to book

How to book

Message me on Instagram or get in touch with your preferred date. A $25 deposit holds your spot; the balance is due at the session.

🍂 Fall minis are limited — once the golden-hour slots fill, they're gone until spring.

Personal work

Beginnings

Emme, February 2022 — our NICU days.

Newborn Emme resting in the NICU, February 2022
Newborn Emme in the NICU, February 2022
Newborn Emme in the NICU, close portrait, February 2022
Newborn Emme yawning in the NICU, February 2022
Newborn Emme awake in the NICU, February 2022
Newborn Emme in the NICU, hand near her face, February 2022
Emme sleeping in the NICU in a 'my super heroes wear scrubs' onesie, black and white, February 2022
Emme awake and smiling in the NICU, February 2022
Close portrait of Emme in the NICU, February 2022
Emme sleeping in a 'rocking the NICU like a boss' onesie, February 2022
Emme yawning in a 'rocking the NICU like a boss' onesie, black and white, February 2022
Emme sleeping in a pink floral wrap, February 2022
Emme sleeping in the NICU in a pink floral wrap, February 2022
Emme awake in a 'NICU graduate' onesie, February 2022
Emme smiling in a 'NICU graduate' onesie, February 2022
Emme in a 'NICU graduate' onesie with her feet up, February 2022
Emme in a 'NICU graduate' onesie, February 2022
A note on these photographs: my daughter Emme spent her first days in the NICU. I brought my camera because that's what I do when something matters — I document it. These are some of the most personal photographs I've ever made.

Lifestyle

Everyday

Family life, as it happens.

Baby Emme covered in spaghetti in her high chair, laughing
Baby Emme's spaghetti-covered hand reaching toward the camera, black and white
Baby Emme smiling with spaghetti on her face, Christmas lights behind her
The family puppy lying on the carpet in the sun
Toddler Emme biting a red spatula while baking
Toddler Emme grinning with a red spatula in her mouth
Baby Emme sleeping on a pillow, black and white
Close-up of Emme biting a spatula, black and white
Emme laughing with a red spatula in her mouth
Small child peeking out from behind a sheer curtain, black and white
Toddler in a diaper gazing out the window, black and white
Emme curled up asleep on a blanket, black and white

Portrait work

Homecoming

Lillia — fall portraits.

Lillia in a leather jacket against a wooden fence, color portrait
Lillia in a leather jacket against a wooden fence, black and white portrait
Lillia leaning against a wooden fence with golden autumn trees behind her
Lillia against a brick wall, eyes lowered
Lillia looking over her shoulder by an iron fence, black and white
Lillia sitting on a curb drinking from a tall cup under a coffee shop window
Lillia drinking from a tall cup beneath a 'fountain drinks novelty' sign
Low-angle shot of Lillia's boots with her holding a candy bar against a storefront
Low-angle shot of Lillia's boots, hand to her mouth, against a storefront
Close portrait of Lillia drinking from a tall cup in front of a coffee sign
Lillia leaning against a storefront wall drinking from a tall cup
Low-angle shot of Lillia's boots as she drinks from a tall cup under a coffee sign
Lillia in a leather jacket drinking from a soda cup on a sidewalk at sunset
Lillia crouching in an empty parking lot in a leather jacket at golden hour
Lillia crouching in a parking lot, chin resting on her hands
Lillia crouching in a parking lot, black and white
Close portrait of Lillia looking down, golden hour light
Close portrait of Lillia drinking from a tall cup against a white brick wall
Lillia with a tall cup against a white brick wall

Portrait work

Golden hour

Family portraits in warm light.

Arianna holding baby Emme at sunset, both in floral dresses
Arianna and Emme holding hands on a country road at sunset
Arianna and Emme holding hands on a road at sunset, sun flare
Arianna and Emme holding hands in a field at sunset
Arianna carrying Emme at sunset, both smiling
Arianna hugging Emme cheek to cheek in a field at sunset
Arianna holding Emme in golden light at sunset
Arianna holding Emme, both grinning at the camera at sunset
Overhead portrait of Arianna holding Emme close at golden hour
Arianna sitting on a road at sunset with Emme in her lap
Arianna and Emme sitting together on a road at sunset, both smiling
Arianna sitting with Emme in her lap, sun glowing behind them
Emme toddling down a country road at sunset in pink sandals
Emme standing on a country road at sunset, smiling
Emme laughing on a country road at golden hour
Emme pointing and smiling on a country road at sunset
Emme standing on a country road at sunset in a floral dress
Emme in a floral dress and pink sandals walking toward the camera on a country road at sunset
Golden hour portrait of Noah in a Roblox t-shirt smiling on a country road
Golden hour portrait of Noah in a Roblox t-shirt with arms crossed on a country road
Noah holding Emme in his arms on a country road at sunset
Noah holding Emme close, both glowing in golden sunset light
Emme smiling while being held by Noah at sunset, warm sun flare
Emme in a floral dress waving at the camera in a grassy field at sunset
Emme in a floral dress with arm outstretched, smiling at sunset
A toddler in a pink romper running across a field at sunset, seen from behind
A toddler in a pink romper smiling back at the camera in a field at sunset
Close-up portrait of a toddler in a pink romper looking up at the camera
A toddler in a pink romper standing in a field at sunset
Two young people sitting together in the woods, one wearing a cowboy hat
A young woman reading a book in the woods
Close portrait of a young woman reading in the woods
A young woman reading with the book held up, seated on a mossy tree
A young woman reading while seated on a moss-covered tree in the woods
A young woman reading a book on a mossy tree trunk in the woods

Like what you see? Book a portrait session or get in touch.