Who's in the Crew? - Spotlight on Alaina Lutkitz
NAME - Alaina Lutkitz
WEBSITE - https://www.upstateheadshots.com/
HSC PROFILE - https://headshotcrew.com/upstateheadshots
INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/alaina_lutkitz/
LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainalutkitz/
FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/upstateheadshots
Alaina Lutkitz HSC Studio Series: https://headshotcrew.com/playlist/223912?item=223…
WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Born and raised in Greenville, SC and I still call it home today.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SHOOTING HEADSHOTS?
Eleven years, but I redid my entire business model about 6 years ago to focus solely on headshots.
WHAT IS YOUR LIGHTING SETUP FOR HEADSHOTS?
I’ve used it all. Started with Paul C Buff Einsteins, went to Kinos, the Flex Kit and now I’m primarily using Profoto A1s with Westcott Rapid Boxes (2 1x3s, 1 1x2).
TELL US ABOUT YOUR STUDIO. DO YOU OWN IT? LIVE IN IT? OR RENT IT?
I rent my studio. I found it on Craigslist in 2013 and it has been my happy place ever since.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU LIKE TO SHOOT?
Nothing ? Ok, food, drinks, friends and sunsets with my phone. I rarely take my pro gear out of the studio.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER PH & The HSC?
I discovered PH in February 2015 at Imaging USA in Nashville TN. At the time I was actually ready to quit photography. I was shooting anything and everything and was burnt out. I had made up my mind that I was going to go home and figure something else out and as I was walking back to my hotel room, I heard all this craziness coming from a conference room. I decided to duck in and sure enough, it was Peter’s class. As you all can imagine the rest is history. I decided I wanted to do headshots and would do whatever it takes to make it happen. It just so happened the next Intensive he offered was in the Bahamas. I attended and have been hooked ever since.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO JOIN THE CREW ONCE YOU FOUND IT?
I joined after my first Intensive. I have no idea why I didn’t join the second I left his class at Imaging.
WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD NEVER GUESS ABOUT YOU?
The way to my heart is via an amazing sushi dinner!
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOU?
I started running the LA Marathon in 2017 and have done it every year since. Adding in a few other cities and some shorter runs here and there. I was never a runner before, and I don’t do it compete but what got me started was someone saying I couldn’t do it. I’m so thankful for that because it is now such an important part of my life.
Spread em!: https://youtu.be/axFJvIfPMZc
10 Comments
Alaina!!! I imprinted on you like a baby duckling, because of maybe five minutes you spent talking to me at PhotoPlus in 2018.
I had already been a member of the Crew for a year, but I was frustrated and didn't know how to get the most out of it. I had set up a profile, and that was about it.
You were so warm and encouraging to me, and just urged me to get involved, to post, to be active, and not to worry about reaching Associate, just to learn and participate as much as possible.
You turned around my experience of the Crew. Would I have gotten there myself? Who cares?! You were the gentle push that got me going.
I adore your work! Clean and simple, and everything that I aspire to.
And... sushi??!!!! I'm the biggest sushi maven there is! I studied Japanese so I could chat with the sushi chefs! I was the founder of the New York Sushi Society!
Be sure I know when you're in New York. I can't wait to treat you to my favorite NYC omakase place... Not far from Peter's studio! (And, if you're in the LA area, ping me because I've got a few excellent suggestions for there, too.)
It’s always so great to read these spotlights and get to know the person behind the picture . I love your work Alaina I guess you started shooting headshots when you were 10 years old ;-)
Doesn't need to be said because it's so obvious but here goes anyway.
Alaina is an absolute gem of a human, one of those people that walks into a room and you can feel the shift in the energy of the place. A genuine enthusiastic laugh and an active listener.
Oddly enough there seems to be a lot of folks in the crew that fit that description. Gee I wonder why? ?
We've got a few Crew folks who have nicknames -- Crew Mom, the Deputy, etc.
Can I nominate that Alaina be dubbed "Gem of the Crew"?
I couldn’t agree more
(Whenever I read "Upstate Headshots," I think of Upstate New York. Who knew other states had "upstates"?? LOL)
Well Alaina, not much can be said on how amazing you have been! So sweet, with only good information and a heart of gold when it comes to giving advise. It's hard to put into words on how astonishing you are, but I am glad to have met you. I know how weird my sense of humour is, you take it with a smile. Glad to have you in our group of friends (Wh***A**)
So awesome, first met Alaina at Shutterfest, and, well, here I am! Thank you!
Writing down that sushi dinner thing right now. <3
I Love your images Alaina, I haven't met you yet but I am sure looking forward to it. I'm James Edward Alexander.
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