What’s good my name is Alex, i go by AV, @alexviisuals on IG and all socials, and I’m a photographer from Northern California. I started chipping in at my craft when i was around 16 kind of just doing it as a hobby taking pictures of whatever caught my eye, and honestly it’s still the same today just on a more elevated level. I’m thankful to NINETOFIVE for havin me here so i can give y’all a little insight on me and what inspires my art, myself, and my life.
How do you approach your day, do you know about specific events or do you go out and scout cars at specific locations, could you please explain your start of the day.
Usually if there’s an event going down I’ll know about it ahead of time more than just kinda pulling up on one, even tho sometimes it just kinda works out like that. I love to bring my camera with me wherever i go because you really never know what you’re going to be witnessing that might stand out to you. Starting my day tho, i usually make myself some tea, maybe a cup of coffee, make sure i get some food in me, and listen to some music while tapping into my mind a little to grow some inspiration. Sometimes I’ll even just get outside and take in what’s around me for that as well…shit life is one big canvas there’s art all around you.
For beginners or people just getting into photography – What gear would you recommend? Do you need to purchase the most expensive stuff right away?
Honestly, i feel like you can use whatever you got to get a start on manifesting your craft. A lot of it has to do with pure passion in my opinion. When i started taking pictures i was strictly doing it off my iPhone, and i would always hear from others who looked at what i was producing from working with just the phone that the pictures stood out. You could have a $3500 camera or just be stuck with your phone, regardless of what you got a lot of it has to do with practice and passion. Everyone has their own style and i think it’s really healthy to explore different boundaries until you grow to learn your own more and more over time. One of my favorite things i use tho is an external flash. I think it’s always good to have especially when lighting is giving you a little bit of an issue.
Working in the bay area, taking photos of cars and mostly lowriders, have you always been interested in this culture? Favorite car of all time you’ve photographed.
I’ve always had a love for lowriders and cars as a whole since i was a child. I can remember growing up in San Jose and LA seeing the old schools always cruisin around dippin corners lookin clean. As a kid stuff like that is mad inspiring to you, and you learn that the culture isn’t just about cars…it’s about unity and family which has always been a very important aspect in my life and as who i am as a person, so i got insane love for the culture.
I wanna shoutout to everyone out there doing there thing for it too there’s a lot of talent people out there capturing this west coast shit and I’m just happy to be a part of it. Ima tag a few of my homies at the bottom of this that y’all should check out if you love the aesthetic! I feel like the whole Northern California a whole world in its own too. The culture, the music, people, all of it is so diverse and i definitely feel like you can understand it through the art, but if you’ve never been i advise to come visit and take it in for yourself.
My favorite car of all time that I’ve photographed would have to be Curren$y’s 65 Impala “Eastside 65”. Not only was that one of the first lowriders i ever got a chance to shoot, but that opened me up to a lot of opportunities that have gotten me to the place where I’m at today. Shoutout Cruise Life CC
Tools of the trade – What do you bring with you on a night/evening out.
Usually on an evening out all i need is some water, a few things rolled up, some oldies and my camera 
the essentials to a solid night out. The older I’ve become tho I’ve just been a homebody unless I’m out workin.
What does the future hold for Alexiivisuals? I know you’re close with artists on the west coast and working with both album covers and press photos, is this a take on what you could be doing more in the future?
I got a few things coming up that I’ve had kinda tucked away for a while, but everyone’s gonna see when it’s time. Also me and my guys Shawn Beats and Westside JC been talkin back and forth bout pushin a few brands out sometime in the future. Man, that’s the wild thing about life bro you never really know what’s coming, but I’m a huge believer in manifesting your reality. The energy you throw out you get back, so we just gonna keep pushing and making sure we stay 20 steps ahead of the game because 10 is too little.. i’ve also had a few ideas when it comes to starting a merch line I’ve had people hitting me about doing that for years and i think it’s about time to roll out on that.
Have you ever seen anything out of the ordinary when you’re out on the streets taking photos?
You see a lot of wild stuff being outside and on the road haha I’m never really the type of person to speak on shit but just know it’s always an interesting time haha always good too 
On a night out, are you listening to music while taking photos?
I got a few playlists that i listen to whenever I’m gettin in my creative mood. A good selection can be found here down below, both ones are embedded.
Is there any upcoming shows in the bay area where you will showcase your prints in a gallery for viewers?
Me and a few of the homies have had a few talks about throwing a couple showcases in the future out here in the Bay Area, but i have a print shop where I’m dropping new sets every 2 weeks where anyone can buy a print if they want one! Press here to get directed.
Make sure to follow Alexvisuals on social media & support his journey. We highly appreciate the interview and your time, can’t wait to see what you come up with in the future – a major influence on both the movement for your hard work but also the unique way of taking photos & sharing the culture of lowriders and musicians in the bay area.
Alexvisuals wanted to give a shoutout to some of his homies as well, make sure to check them out. @misundrstood.photography @baijtophotography @dizzy.flix @koachise @westsidejc_ @shawnbeats
