Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Spielman.
Hi Alex, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a wildlife and pet photographer based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, USA.
What began as a personal search for clarity during the pandemic (picking up a camera alongside my dad) has since evolved into a deep and ongoing pursuit of connection through nature. From the start, I was drawn to wildlife, especially birds.
Since launching Spielman Photography in 2021, my work has been recognized across galleries, government spaces, and juried art festivals. Highlights include a 1st-place award in the Photography Category at the 2024 New Hope Arts & Crafts Festival, an honorable mention at the 2025 Ocean City Boardwalk Art Show, the honor of having four of my images chosen for permanent display at the newly constructed Sunrise City Hall in Florida, and a 3rd-place finish in a nationwide wildlife photography contest hosted by PetaPixel. I’ve also had the privilege of serving as President of the Churchville Photography Club (2023–2024), where I continue to support creative growth within my local photography community.
I strive to pause the wild by capturing those elusive, untamed moments and transforming them into artwork, that brings peace and beauty into everyday spaces. My large-format prints are designed not just to decorate, but to create atmosphere, whether displayed in a living room, hallway, office, or reception area. My goal is simple: to help others feel what I felt the moment the shutter clicked, and to bring the serenity and energy of the outdoors into the places we live and work.
You can currently find me at various art shows throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding region.
– Alex Spielman
Alright, 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?
Going from “I take photos” to “I sell prints” has been an evolution of its own. At my very first show, I sold a whopping $29 of product. This was a result of not understanding what customers were drawn to and sheer inexperience with selling at art shows. The business and sales side of photography never came naturally to me. I had assumed my work would speak for itself. It taught me that presentation, conversation, and knowing your audience matter just as much (if not more) as the images on the wall. Every show since has been a lesson in what resonates with people and how to share my work without losing what makes it mine.
Building a recognizable name in a crowded photography field, and finding where I fit within it, has been an ongoing challenge. There are a lot of talented photographers out there, and standing apart takes more than a good portfolio. For me, that means committing to authentic images that are real and ethically captured, especially as AI-generated imagery floods the space. I want people to know that what they’re looking at actually happened: a wild animal, a real moment, witnessed and earned in the field.
From a purely photographic standpoint, learning wildlife behavior well enough to anticipate a moment rather than simply reacting to it has been a steep learning curve. A bird doesn’t wait for you to be ready. Early on, I missed countless shots because I was reacting a half-second too late as I fumbled with settings . Over time, I learned to read the subtle cues to help me better land more “keepers.” That knowledge only comes from countless hours in the field.
And finally, finding a healthy balance between my personal life, photographing wildlife, and the demands of art shows can get overwhelming. Burnout is real, Photography began as a way to find peace, and protecting that to make sure the pursuit doesn’t consume the very thing that drew me to it, is a challenge I’m still learning to navigate.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Spielman Photography is a wildlife and pet photography brand based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania that participates in art shows throughout the Philadelphia region. I specialize in ethically photographing wildlife and transforming those moments into fine-art prints. My goal is never to bait, stage, or alter an animals natural behavior. At its core, Spielman Photography is a business built around sharing this connection with others.
What sets Spielman Photography apart is its commitment to authenticity. Every image I sell is real. In an era when AI-generated imagery is becoming more and more prevalent, in particular on social media, I think it matters more than ever that people know what they’re looking at actually happened. That principle shapes everything I do, from how I shoot to how I talk about my work at shows, and it’s the thing I’m most proud of brand-wise.
Beyond the prints and the shows, I believe in giving back to the community that shaped me. I volunteer with the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), taking images of dogs & cats looking for their forever home. I also mentor other wildlife photographers who are working to find their footing. Finally, I have served as President of the Churchville Photography Club from 2023-2024, where I continue to support creative growth in my local photography community.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Likes – the sports!
Dislikes – the traffic!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spielmanphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spielman_photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aspielmanphotography
