About the Photographer
Alex Grace
Born & raised in the heart of the Midwest
I'm Alex Grace, a photographer based in Kansas City, Missouri. I grew up surrounded by the wide-open skies and rolling prairies of the Midwest — a landscape that taught me to pay attention to light, weather, and the quiet drama of everyday scenes.
I picked up my first camera in 2015 and never looked back. What started as a weekend hobby — shooting sunsets over the Flint Hills and documenting Kansas City's gritty Crossroads neighborhood — quickly became a calling. Within a few years I was exhibiting locally, and by 2019 I went full-time.
My approach is rooted in patience and simplicity. I don't chase trends or rely on heavy editing. I wait for the right light, find the right angle, and let the subject speak. Whether I'm shooting a portrait in my West Bottoms studio or waiting for fog to roll across a valley at dawn, the philosophy is the same: strip away the unnecessary and reveal what's true.
Today my work spans four categories — landscape, portrait, street, and architecture — and has been featured in publications including National Geographic Traveler, Kansas City Star, and PDN Photo Annual.
Sessions
Years
Countries
Publications
Journey
My Timeline
2015
First Camera
Picked up a second-hand Canon Rebel at a Kansas City thrift store. Started shooting everything.
2017
First Exhibition
Solo show at the Crossroads Arts District — "Midwest Light" featuring 30 Kansas landscapes.
2019
Going Full-Time
Left my day job to pursue photography full-time. Booked first commercial clients within months.
2021
National Geographic Feature
Published in Nat Geo Traveler for a series on the Flint Hills tallgrass prairie.
2023
Studio Launch
Opened a personal studio space in the West Bottoms neighborhood of Kansas City.
2024
500+ Sessions
Crossed 500 completed sessions spanning portraits, weddings, commercial, and fine art.
Recognition
Awards & Features
International Photography Awards
Honorable Mention — Landscape, 2023
National Geographic Traveler
Featured Photographer, 2021
PDN Photo Annual
Selected — Personal Work, 2022
Kansas City Arts Council
Emerging Artist Grant, 2019
Sony World Photography Awards
Shortlisted — Architecture, 2024
Trusted By
Clients & Publications
Gear
Equipment
Sony A7IV
Primary Camera
Canon R5
Portrait Camera
Fuji X-T5
Street Camera
Nikon Z8
Landscape Camera
24-70mm f/2.8 GM
Workhorse Lens
85mm f/1.4 GM
Portrait Lens
16-35mm f/2.8 GM
Wide Angle
70-200mm f/2.8 GM
Telephoto
DJI Mavic 3 Pro
Drone
Philosophy
Why I Shoot
“Photography is the art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”
I believe photography should feel honest. The Kansas City light, the Midwest prairie wind, the textures of a weathered brick building downtown — these things don't need enhancement. They need attention. My job is to show up, be still, and notice.
Every frame is an exercise in subtraction. I'm always asking: what can I remove to make this simpler, truer, more felt? That philosophy carries through from the shoot to the edit to the final print.
Let's create something together
Whether you need portraits, event coverage, or a commercial project — I'd love to hear from you.
Get in Touch