Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Waxman.
Hi Ali, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to build a career doing something I genuinely love. Photography has taken me in directions I never could have anticipated, and along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people and work on some pretty amazing projects. My journey has been one of curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to keep learning. I’ve always believed that a great photograph should do more than simply show something beautiful. It should tell a story, create a feeling, or make someone stop and look a little longer.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph a wide variety of subjects, working with national restaurant brands, grocery companies, manufacturers, and businesses of all sizes. Each experience taught me something different, and I’m grateful for all of them. Eventually, I found myself increasingly drawn to food, cocktails, and the hospitality industry. There’s something special about the combination of creativity, craftsmanship, and personalities that come together in a great restaurant. I discovered that I loved not just photographing the food, but capturing the entire experience.
Today, through Waxman Photography, I get to collaborate with talented chefs, bartenders, restaurant owners, and creative teams to help bring their visions to life. What I enjoy most is the creative process and the relationships that develop along the way. I don’t take for granted that someone trusts me to represent something they’ve worked so hard to create. Whether it’s a single cocktail or an entire restaurant campaign, I try to approach every assignment with the same enthusiasm and attention to detail.
Recently, I was honored to receive an Honorable Mention from the International Photography Awards, which meant a great deal to me. But the truth is, I still feel like a student of photography. There’s always another technique to learn, another creative challenge, or a different way of seeing something familiar. I’ve been fortunate to have people believe in me, give me opportunities, and allow me to do work that I truly enjoy. I hope to keep doing exactly that for as long as I can.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think anyone who has pursued a creative career would describe the journey as completely smooth, and mine has certainly had its share of bumps along the way. There have been professional disappointments, missed opportunities, financial uncertainties, and plenty of moments when I’ve questioned whether I was making the right decisions. Being a photographer is one thing, but learning to run a business while trying to remain creative is an entirely different challenge. I’ve made my share of mistakes, but I’ve always tried to learn something from them and keep moving forward.
In October 2021, life presented me with a challenge that had nothing to do with photography. I underwent open-heart surgery, an experience that gave me an entirely different perspective on what really matters. When something like that happens, the things you once worried about suddenly seem a little less important. It reminded me just how fortunate I am and how easily we can take the simple things in life for granted. My family, my health, the friendships I’ve made, and the ability to wake up each day and do something I love all took on a deeper meaning.
Professionally, one of the greatest challenges has been keeping up with an industry that’s constantly changing. Photography today is very different from when I started, and I’ve had to continually adapt, embrace new technology, and find ways to stay creative and relevant. I actually enjoy that part of the journey. There’s something exciting about knowing that no matter how long you’ve been doing something, there’s always more to learn.
Looking back, I wouldn’t necessarily choose to go through some of those difficult experiences again, but they’ve helped shape the person and photographer I am today. I’ve learned to be a little more patient, a little more appreciative, and hopefully a little wiser. Most importantly, I’ve learned that success isn’t necessarily measured by awards, recognition, or how busy you are. Sometimes it’s simply being healthy, surrounded by people you care about, and having another opportunity to do what you love.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Today, I specialize primarily in commercial food, beverage, and hospitality photography, although my career has given me the opportunity to work across several different industries. I’ve always been fascinated by the challenge of making something not only look beautiful but also tell a story. Whether it’s an elegantly plated dish, a carefully crafted cocktail, or the atmosphere of a wonderful restaurant, I want the viewer to feel something. Ideally, I’d like someone to look at one of my photographs and immediately wish they were there, experiencing that moment for themselves.
Over the years, my work has evolved beyond simply taking photographs. I’ve become increasingly involved in the creative process, working alongside restaurant owners, chefs, bartenders, and marketing teams to develop ideas and imagery that help communicate what makes their businesses special. Sometimes that means creating a beautifully lit photograph, and other times it involves developing an entire visual concept or campaign. I genuinely enjoy that collaboration. Some of my favorite images have come from simply sitting down with someone, listening to their ideas, and figuring out how we can bring them to life.
I’m not sure I can say exactly what sets me apart from other photographers because there are so many incredibly talented people doing wonderful work. What I can say is that I bring a tremendous amount of curiosity, enthusiasm, and personal investment to every project. I’m not particularly interested in creating an image simply because it looks like something that’s popular at the moment. I want my photographs to have character, authenticity, and hopefully a little bit of magic. I love experimenting with lighting, composition, and new creative techniques, but I also believe that knowing when to keep things simple is just as important.
As for what I’m most proud of, receiving an Honorable Mention from the International Photography Awards was certainly a meaningful moment and something I’m very grateful for. But when I really think about it, what means the most are the relationships I’ve developed and the trust people have placed in me. There’s something incredibly rewarding about watching a client’s excitement when an idea we’ve worked on comes together. To know that my photography has played even a small part in helping someone else’s business succeed is a pretty wonderful feeling. After all these years, I still get excited about creating something new, and I consider myself very fortunate that I get to do it for a living.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The first thing I’d tell anyone starting out is to be curious, be patient, and never stop learning. Photography is one of those wonderful professions where you can spend a lifetime perfecting your craft and still discover something new every day. Don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, or try something completely outside your comfort zone. Some of my favorite discoveries have come from things that didn’t go quite as planned. And perhaps most importantly, develop your own vision rather than trying to imitate someone else’s. Inspiration is everywhere, but your individuality is what will ultimately make your work special.
I also wish I had understood earlier just how important relationships are. Of course, developing your technical skills matters, but being dependable, treating people with kindness, listening to your clients, and genuinely caring about their success can take you a long way. Some of the most rewarding opportunities in my career have come not from having the perfect portfolio, but from relationships built on trust and mutual respect. People remember how you make them feel, and I’ve come to believe that’s just as important as the photographs you create.
Another piece of advice would be not to get too caught up in comparing your journey to someone else’s. It’s easy, especially with social media, to look at another photographer’s success and wonder whether you’re doing enough. I’ve certainly been guilty of that myself. But everyone has a different path, and success rarely happens in a straight line. Celebrate the accomplishments of others, learn from people whose work you admire, and remember to appreciate your own progress along the way.
Finally, and this is something I probably understand more today than I did when I was younger, don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Work hard, pursue your ambitions, and take your craft seriously, but try not to take yourself too seriously. Make time for the people you love, take care of your health, and appreciate the opportunities in front of you. Awards and recognition are wonderful, but they aren’t everything. If you can build a life where you enjoy what you do, surround yourself with good people, and still wake up excited about what you might create that day, I’d say you’re doing pretty well.
Pricing:
- email me for pricing and availability. carwax@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://waxmanphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ig_foodphotographer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waxmanphotography/
