The Creative Studio of Visual Story Teller Alejandra Sinclair
I can't remember how long I've been following Alejandra on Instagram but she was definitely one of the first people whose images captured my imagination and after many years of online chat and commenting on each others images, we finally met when Ale came over to my studio one day and captured me at work. We instantly connected over our love of travel, antiques, work, me as an interiors stylist, Alejandra as a visual fashion stylist for a large High Street retailer.
When Ale sent me the images of our day together, I couldn't believe how perfectly she'd captured me on her camera. I really dislike, ok then hate, having my photograph taken and I never think any of the images look like me somehow. "I know" I can hear you all saying, "that's what I think too" but to truly capture the essence of someone is a very difficult thing to do and yet she did. To this day it is still my favourite, dare I say only photograph of myself that I'm happy with. She is a rare talent indeed and part of that talent is that I didn't really even realise she was taking my photograph, so at ease did I feel as we chatted away.
So when she told me excitedly that she had moved to a new studio in a beautiful historic windmill and she wanted me to come and see it, I didn't need to be asked twice. I knew it would be something special and romantic. Romance and beauty are at the core of Ale's work and everything she looks for in her inspirations. It is a wonderful building in a lovely part of Lancashire and I wanted to share it and Ale's work with you.
Originally from Argentina, Alejandra moved to the UK in 2017 after meeting her husband Phil who was in Argentina for work. As well as falling in love with her husband, Ale also fell in love with the UK and the beautiful country side around her new home. Nature has been a constant source of inspiration to her and is the very essence of her work as a photographer.
Having been gifted her first reflex camera whilst still living in Argentina, she took a short course to learn the very basics of how to use it and immediately became obsessed with the medium of photography and how she could express her romantic nature through it’s lens. She further developed and honed her style, influenced by her move to the UK and it’s changing seasons and rural landscapes, so different from her country of birth.
“My curiosity has been a really helpful tool to discover and learn more about photography” she says.
Further inspired by her love of the Dutch masters paintings, who used flowers and nature in their work, Ale has developed a style of photography which is formed in a similar way, using pockets of light and shade and a depth of colour which is both nostalgic and romantic.
Ale’s first small studio was located at Cedar Farm in Mawdesley Lancashire, where she was encouraged to exhibit her work in their gallery space and then in late 2023 she was given the opportunity of her own studio, in an disused part of a windmill, in Parbold Lancashire, which is also home to an art gallery. Bordering the Leeds/Liverpool canal the studio is as romantic as Ale’s work and the perfect space for her to create her story evoking photography and for her to meet and chat with new clients.
“The first time I saw the windmill, I knew it was the perfect place for me without even seeing the inside” says Ale. “I fell completely in love with the history of the building, the period windows and the surrounding bucolic views. What I love most about my studio is the light, everything starts from there and the seasons I see unfolding are always at the heart of the story I’m telling with my camera. The surroundings through the window of my studio and the inspiration I get from them are endless.”
The windmill was built in 1794, 20 years after the canal was first opened and was originally part of the flour industry in the area. Built from local sandstone and 5 storey’s tall, Ale’s studio is housed on the ground floor with sweeping views of the canal, which she likes to call her little Venice, and the perfect place to watch the changing seasons which inspire her styling.
The interior has been painted white to maximise the light and the deep window recess holds all the incidental props Ale needs to hand, with mother nature providing the rest.
“The props used are antique or vintage treasures sourced from charity shops, flea markets or online dealers. I love elements that have a story behind them and I am particularly drawn to objects that have texture and irregularities created from time passing and continued use over many years” The majority of the props Ale uses are flora or fauna, seashells and feathers gathered from her walks. “I always find something wherever I go.” She says.
To add further texture and interest to Ale’s shots, simple fabric backdrops are hung from a pole across a trestle table on which her expressive creations come to life.
Since moving to the UK Ale has become a mother to her son Benjamin and although she works part time in retail her photography work has been gathering pace and she has a portfolio of both wedding and portrait photography, is awaiting the publication of a book she has been commissioned to take the images for and has held exhibitions and sold prints of her work to private customers.
As nature and flowers are such a huge inspiration Ale has worked on creating a photography and floral styling workshop with her friend Annabel of The Contented Mole which has informed Ale’s current exhibition at Cedar Farm, a series of framed pressed flowers layered on ephemera, combining all of her greatest passions, nature, beauty and nostalgia.
Memories of life growing up on a ranch in Argentina and the people she was surrounded by there who she holds dear, together with the new landscape of her adoptive country are woven throughout Alejandra’s evocative and expressive work.
You can see more of Alejandra’s work and contact her for commissions through her website below or via dm on her instagram
All above images are by Alejandra Sinclair.