Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandro Montero.
Alejandro, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I remember playing with Mom’s Yashica camera as early as age five. My first professional photo was of a friend surfing on Thanksgiving Day in 1988, which was published in East Coast Surfer magazine. I took the image with a borrowed film camera that I begged a friend to let me use.
I began a lifeguarding career in 2006 And rediscovered my passion for photography in 2016
I have a particularly unique perspective from growing up on South Beach and living through its metamorphosis. In the and 80s and 90’s South Beach wasn’t all glitz and glamour, as it’s known for today. It was an obscure and gritty paradise. It was dangerous but it was my home. I lived in a small hotel where my mom did the housekeeping. With the sand and waves as backdrop, I found solace in surfing and a motley crew of surfers, fishermen, and misfits who became lifelong friends. Together, this community of locals endured the often-harsh realities of their urban beach – until the wolves took over, and the brief utopia was gone.
My current focus is a new project called “Back of the House” with hospitality entrepreneur Gabe Orta, co-founder of Bar Lab and several award-winning bars in multiple cities. Myself and Orta, who both started working in back of the house jobs, aim to document and share the stories of typically overlooked hospitality employees the project was postponed due to COVID 19 but will resume soon. The locations will include Miami, LA, Chicago, and the big Apple NYC. As for future plans, I’m looking into conceptual photography and portraiture photography.
Great, 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 can’t imagine anyone that hasn’t faced any obstacles in life. Obstacles are essential for growth. On December 24, 2004, I surrendered my bout with alcoholism, and I have been sober ever since. Growing up in South Beach during the 90’s and working in the hospitality industry – restaurants, bars, and clubs – life was and endless party. You were working and partying seven days a week. The weeks turned into months, then years, and then a decade. We were young, we were invincible, we were locals. Free entrance, free drinks, and free meals was our lifestyle. During those times, I watched many lives get stuck in the vortex of the black hole. A lot of people didn’t make it out, or at least were forever changed. I’m lucky and blessed to have navigated my way back to dry land. Special thanks to Christian de la Iglesia, rest in power my brother Frank the Tank rest in power. Nicole Crisonino, Stephanie Lobato, Jorge Salas, Bobby Kozak, and many more.
Please tell us about Alejandro Andres Photo.
I’m a lifeguard for the city of Miami Beach. I specialize in capturing my daily vision. What am I know for? I’m not sure if I’m known yet. What am I proud of? Last year I had my first big exhibition during Art Basel at Art Miami Aqua event room 116. I shared a space with some very talented individuals and best of all a humble modest vibe. What sets me apart?: I think I will rephrase and say that when it comes to photography and art. I have a drive A mild obsession that hasn’t stopped A tenacity from day one. Future plans: I’m still very new to photography so looking forward to continuous growth in this new endeavor. Right now I’ve been gravitating towards conceptual photography and Portraiture
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Surfing skateboarding beach life, no crowds plenty of space.
Contact Info:
- Email: alejandroandresphotoghraphy@gmail.com
- Instagram: @alejandro_andres_photo
Suggest a story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
