Meet Alexandra Rostad

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alexandra Rostad a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

ALEXANDRA, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I grew up in a tiny town in the Midwest, right next to a cornfield. Population: about 3,500. Creative types and entrepreneurs weren’t exactly around the corner, and this was pre-social media, so I had no blueprint for what I wanted to do. But somehow, I knew I was pulled toward something creative. I loved getting lost in movies and books—stories were everything to me. So, at 18, I took off for California and film school, thinking I’d help make those stories happen.

Pretty quickly, though, I learned I wasn’t cut out for the typical “film set” life. I wanted the freedom to work alone and be part of the full process, not just one small piece. That’s when photography crept into my life, almost by accident.

When I moved to Charleston in 2013, I knew I wanted to take on photography full-time but didn’t have a clue what that looked like. At that point, I’d only done landscapes and nature portraits. Working with people was intimidating—I was shy and introverted. So, I started with what felt easy: dogs. That grew into photos of dogs with their humans, then eventually just humans, and I even ventured into weddings, family shoots, and newborns. Through all of that, I had to figure out how to talk to strangers, help them feel comfortable, and build my confidence along the way.

Honestly, though, I knew weddings and family sessions weren’t my thing. Then a friend asked me to take some photos for her business, and suddenly, something clicked. Brand photography didn’t have to be boring headshots (thankfully, because I’m not a fan). It could be real, emotive, natural. From there, the shift to brand photography happened, and eventually, I fell into retreat photography.

It’s been a wild journey—full of trial and error, big pivots, a lot of guessing, and just going with the flow. I’ve learned to follow the breadcrumbs, trusting that they’re leading me somewhere meaningful, even if the path is a little messy.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a branding and retreat photographer, working mostly with entrepreneurs and small business owners, especially women. My goal is to capture the soul of a brand so it feels real and honest, helping them connect with their people. I want my clients to feel at ease, to feel like themselves—no stiff posing, just their true, powerful presence coming through.
Retreat photography has become a huge part of my world, and it’s honestly such a vibe. I just got back from a yoga retreat in Greece, where I basically followed along and captured every bit of the experience—from the cozy rooms to the deep, transformative classes, the wild landscapes, laughter, culture, and spontaneous moments. Having these memories is invaluable for retreat leaders, who can use the visuals to promote and share what they create, but I’ve realized it’s a gift for the participants too. They can fully unplug, knowing I’ll capture the moments so they can just live them.
I also recently launched *Brand Evolution*, a new offering where we meet four times a year to keep the content fresh and true to the season your business is in. It’s about growing alongside my clients, helping them stay connected with their audience as things shift and evolve. This is work that fills me up, and I feel lucky to be part of each of my clients’ journeys.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three things that have been most transformative for me are a willingness to grow and change, staying true to what I want, and never giving up. No matter what industry you’re in, self-belief and openness to change are crucial to building a life you’re proud of. Life rarely unfolds exactly how we imagine it, but that doesn’t mean you give up or let others define your path. Taking risks that feel right, even if they scare you, is how you find your true self and uncover what you’re capable of. Growth can be uncomfortable, but it’s always worth it, and choosing what’s right for you—even when it’s hard—will always lead to better things.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Being a sensitive person—like most of us creatives—running a business can feel overwhelming. The ups and downs hit hard, especially because I didn’t start out knowing how to run a business. There have been areas I had to outsource, even though I’m not great at asking for help. Letting go of that “I have to do it all” mindset was a huge shift for me. But I’ve realized that things often turn out better when I let others in, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

When it all gets to be too much, I have to remind myself to just breathe and focus on one step, one task at a time. It sounds basic, maybe even a little cliché, but it’s real. Most of the stuff that feels urgent isn’t life or death, and if it takes a few more hours (or even days), it’s okay. We put so much pressure on ourselves to be everything, but sometimes, just being is enough.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.littlerunawayphotography.com
• Instagram: @littlerunawayphotos
• Facebook: Little Runaway Photography