Meet Our Photography Studio Team | About Lex - Our Executive Assistant
What role do I play here at Ahnvee Photography?
A photographer’s assistant is crucial in a photography studio team, supporting various tasks like equipment setup, prop organization, and managing lighting for a successful photoshoot. They anticipate needs, adjust settings, and create an ideal environment. Administrative responsibilities, such as scheduling and organizing files, are also part of their role. Their presence enhances efficiency, fosters collaboration, and ensures the photographer’s vision is brought to life, guaranteeing successful shoots.
Hello folks! I’m Lex ~ nice to meet ya!
Who am I? First, I like to think of myself as a creative. I’ve been chasing that artistic passion for a little over six years now. Like Tiffany, the magic maker of Ahnvee Creative, I am a visual artist. However, I work with very different mediums. My main focus in the beginning of my creative career was on expression through self portraiture in Inks. My previous work is heavily focused on catharsis and identify.
I am a local Acadian whose is also a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. I identify as gender nonconforming (non-binary) and my pronouns are They/Them/Theirs. My chosen name is Lex R. Thomas, but call me Lex for short! I came out to my family and friends back in 2017. I’ll admit it was (and continues to be) a difficult journey, but one well worth it. Queerness is plays an integral role in who I am today.
If you were interested in seeing more of my work & learning more about me, visit my official website!
Here is a fun questionnaire so you can get to know me a little more 🙂
Lex R. Thomas
Like many people in their youth, I had dreams of going to the moon and beyond. Nature, space, and existence itself has fascinated me from the moment I was conscious enough to reflect on the stars. My mother prodded me to become an astronaut, doctor, scientist… etc. I was set on hard sciences until a small (but significant) spark of creativity ignited a passion for the arts in my adolescence.
It wasn’t until my 20s, that I took this in full stride and pursued something serious. Portraiture. A medium that has shaped me in a number of ways. Themes of existence, catharsis, and botanicals keep appearing within my personal work. Artmaking has shaped my identity. Expression in a physical format similar to the way a journal functions for others. As I grow older, the more I learn that creative work is a necessity. My dream is to live a life filled with making art that not only connects me with myself, but to others as well.
My spirit animal is the nautilus – HANDS DOWN!
What would you say is your best talent/attribute?
I am most thankful for my curiosity. I enjoy soaking up new information and incorporating it into my personal growth.
Waffles or Pancakes?
I used to be a waffles person before I met my current partner. We have an occasional morning routine where he cooks pancakes for us to share. As much as I thoroughly enjoy filling up each little square with syrup, I have developed a sentiment for pancakes that’s even sweeter.
What are some of the events in your life that made you who you are?
I apologize in advance for the heavy content, but I believe my father becoming estranged when I sixteen is the most significant life experience I have. I grew up very fast, becoming the secondary role model for my two younger siblings. Ultimately, with a lot of work on acceptance, It’s made me a more resilient person with a lot of compassion. I try to carry that perspective and help create a self space for others in my life.
What’s your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas! I share the same love for the holiday season as many of us do. Besides the plentiful food and cherished time spent with family, I actually enjoyed working retail as well. The colorful aesthetics in branding create such a vibrant atmosphere!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? (hobbies)
Oh gosh where do I start? I moonlight as a visual artist. I mostly work in traditional media (inks, paint, graphite), but also dabble in digital painting. What I do for purely “funsies?”; I carry a wide array of interests: houseplants, crocheting, animal husbandry, decorating, and reading.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Playing the same songs over and over again on repeat. This creates some interesting end-of-the-year Spotify wrapped statistics.
What is your greatest achievement?
Moving out on my own at nineteen, and creating a new life for myself!
Absolute favorite place to shop for clothing?
I give my sister complete credit on this one, but I love thrifting! I’ve found some great conversation starters doing this.
Name three of your favorite songs:
Just a Cloud Away – Pharrell Wiliams
Them Changes – Thundercat
The Warning – Hot Chip
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I was given this advice from my friend, who received it from his therapist.
Place yourself in a valley. In the valley, you can see the mountains that surround you. Each mountain is an unique opportunity that is currently within your reach, given your current situation. You choose a path to follow, but it requires work. Through persistence and struggle, you finally make it to the peak of the mountain.
You’ve done so much work, and it’s paid off. Now you find yourself in a much better place than when you first started. Here’s the thing. Now you have a better view, and see mountains (opportunities) even taller than the one you are currently standing on. You are able to make out a path to these greater opportunities, but it requires you to go back down a valley, then start the struggle upwards again.
The moral of the story is that it’s okay to feel uncomfortable, and setbacks are a part of the process. Growth isn’t linear.
What’s your pet peeve?
Inconsistency & Unreliability
Cats or dogs?
Cats! Have you smelled their foreheads? They smell like warm muffins!
Favorite movie of all time:
I am caught between Midsommar and Annihilation. Both are very strange, but have stunning visuals.
How do you keep yourself organized?
I like to keep a separate space for my materials. Calendars, lists, and notecards are also a must.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
I can’t imagine anyone else filling in my place, so it’d have to be me!
What do you want to be remembered for?
Being kind
Where do you see yourself in five years?
All I wanted to do when I was younger was GET OUT OF LOUISIANA. This last year spent in Lafayette with my partner has overridden that completely. I see my self owning a house in the Saint Streets with a quaint sunroom. My partner and I sipping coffee surrounded by my jungle of plants. I can make a quick bike trip downtown to my studio where I paint, show my work, and organize my ideas. I have a creative day job that is both fulfilling and rejuvenating. I own my home, so I can build that catio I’ve always wanted We have a study where my partner can write stories filled with books, art, and small creatures. Ah, the dream.
Describe your perfect last meal:
If it is my last meal, I want to go BIG with all of Louisiana’s delights. Hand me a box of Popeyes, 5lbs of boiled crawfish, a dozen raw oysters, and the perfect crafted latte from Reve. I won’t have to care how bad I feel after, so why not!
What’s something you think everyone should do once in their life and why?
I think everyone should take a chance at something they love, or work they are passionate about. Even if things don’t work out exactly how you wanted them to, at least you won’t wonder “What If?”
Please describe your biggest strength and weakness:
My biggest strength comes from my empathy for others. Within the workplace, this manifests in taking on extra tasks to lighten the loads of my coworkers, being a good listener, and adapting to changing expectations.
My biggest weakness, oddly enough, is connected to my biggest strength. My tendency to go the extra mile for others can sometimes lead me to not giving myself enough room to rest and recharge. It’s something I have to keep an awareness of, while also making sure to communicate my needs in the process.
Why do you think you’re the best candidate for this position? What do you think you can bring to the table?
I have a significant amount of experience as a creative myself, as well as a different perspective from my own artmaking in ink and paint. I am passionate about making art that connects with people, and I also understand the burdens of the business side of being a creative. I am known to be very reliable (as all my professional references would confirm) and will give my 100% at any moment. I am excited to work professionally and learn a lot of information in the process!
If you made it this far, thanks for getting to know me a little better!