About ALEX
ABOUT alex
Meet the artist
My name is Alex Abercrombie, I photograph headshots, personal branding and portraits and am based out of Orange County, CA.
I love capturing beautiful images of cool people.
MY MANIFESTO
I’m a real-life unicorn wrangler and portrait photographer with over two decades of experience, capturing the unique vibe of thousands of people and making them look as amazing as they truly are.
Back in the 90s, I raised my daughter as a single mom with a camera in hand, running my business out of a tiny 1930s beach cottage on Balboa Island. It looked like something out of a storybook—two pony-sized Irish Wolfhounds, a pet bunny hopping around the tiny front yard, and me figuring out how to balance single motherhood while building a business from scratch. It wasn’t easy, but I loved every second of it. I was determined to make it work—and I did.
For the past 27 years, I’ve built a full-time photography business that has thrived almost entirely on referrals. The fact that my clients trust me enough to send their friends and colleagues means everything.
Being naturally intuitive helps me create a space where people feel relaxed, have fun, and truly be themselves in front of my camera. My fascination with social psychology—understanding why people do what they do—led me to earn a degree in psychology and social behavior at UCI. That deep interest allows me to connect with my subjects in a meaningful way so they not only feel at ease but see themselves in a way that’s both authentic and beautiful.
That same curiosity about people is why I’ve started two personal projects: ICONS, a portrait series highlighting influential entrepreneurs and leaders, and ERAS, which revisits past clients to capture who they are today.
After photographing people in Newport Beach for nearly three decades—and living here for 40 years—I’ve built connections that span generations. Some of the women I first photographed as high school seniors are now thriving in cities around the world, and I want to document who they’ve become. For some, our history goes back even further—I photographed them as tiny three-year-olds, captured their senior portraits years later, and now, I get to see them as accomplished adults. ERAS is about honoring that journey—documenting where they started, where they are now, and who they’ve become.
At the same time, I’m expanding my lens to the present with ICONS, capturing the leaders, visionaries, and changemakers shaping our community today. Having lived in Newport Beach for 40 years and photographed its people for 27, I’ve had a front-row seat to how this city has grown and evolved. Through ICONS, I’m photographing the people who make Newport what it is—business owners, entrepreneurs, creatives, and community figures who leave a lasting impact. A great portrait tells a story, and these projects allow me to tell them in a way that feels both personal and meaningful.
Stay tuned—some incredible imagery is coming soon.
I also have an American Miniature Horse named Uni, who looks exactly like a tiny unicorn. He’s the size of a large Great Dane and has a personality just as big. More than just a pet, Uni is the inspiration behind a children’s picture book series I’m writing about his magical adventures. Through his stories, I want to encourage kids to get outside, explore nature, be kind to one another, and believe in the power of their dreams.
And while my work keeps me busy, what matters most is family. My granddaughter, Elle, reminds me to slow down and find magic in the little things. Whether we’re exploring nature, befriending squirrels, or barking back at sea lions, I love seeing the world through her eyes. And, of course, Uni is never far behind, always ready for the next adventure.