Anestassia Alderete - Photographer and Artist
"Like most professional photographers, Anestassia Alderete possesses a keen eye, creative vision and a genuine appreciation for her craft.
What distinguishes Anestassia is an almost unreal ability to capture the true essence of people she photographs, amazing powers of observation and a refreshingly different perspective about life which seamlessly translates into intriguing photographic imagery.
From captivating jaw-dropping portraits and head shots that seem to reveal the soul of the subject to sports imagery that captures action like the photographer was in the middle of the field or court, Anestassia manufactures masterpieces on a consistent basis. Even in her younger days, where self portraits and environmental experimental imagery dominated her portfolio, Anestassia's photography and drawings proved exceptional.
Anestassia confidently asserts that photographing people is her primary topic of interest photography. It would be difficult to argue given the spectacular results.
"I consider myself very perceptive to people’s emotions and feelings," Anestassia explains. "I'm very observant mostly because of how I was raised. I take it all in. So when I take a photo or do something creative I naturally observe things. I just see things differently."
For Anestassia, seeing things differently means going far beyond the visual surface observation of her photographic subjects.
"People want to convey something, whatever that person feels most represents them," she said. "If I'm able to capture what they want to convey it gives me a look into who they are and what they do."
While the alliteration and uniqueness of her name may invoke visions of a star European student-athlete competing on scholarship at a major southern California university, excelling academically, and then pursuing a career in some creative endeavor -- Anestassia's journey has been different but equally rewarding.
Although born in Montgomery, Alabama, Anestassia indeed has European heritage -- her mother is Italian while her father -- award-winning photographer, videographer and military retiree Stephen Alderete is an Alabama native. She has lived on and off in Italy, has a passion for Jiu Jitsu and is extremely intelligent, earning a degree in Italian studies at the University of Washington while also studying biology and dabbling in psychology.
Her professional life has included an array of jobs including being a photographer for preschool seasonal photos, teaching English and Italian and serving as a professional translator. And although the 30-year old Anestassia confesses that her life had some "rough times" she still knows those times helped shape who she is today, hone her creativity and truly define what she wants to accomplish professionally.
Photography and drawing are her two primary creative endeavors. And the five top of mind responses to describe herself -- open, perfectionist, confident, adaptable and empathic -- reflect the characteristics that make her exceptional as a person and photographer.
The pages on this website only display a few of Anestassia's fascinating imagery. Given her determination, creativity and imagination there will no doubt be many more." -Donnie Veasey, PR Consultant/Writer