Austin Black History Bike Tour, 2020

I haven’t been photographing as much as I would like given this Covid world we know are living in, but what I have photographed has been super important. Please take the time to raise the voices of our #BIPOC communities; here is my opportunity to do that.
Talib put on an Austin black history bike tour a few weeks ago and I was beyond grateful I was able to participate as a photographer. Remember we all have the power to document—and change—the future.
If you wish to use a photo for PERSONAL USE only, please credit “Jessica Alexander/jealexphoto.com.” If you appear in a photo and wish for it to be removed, please email me at jealexphoto@ gmail.com. Any other use is prohibited by copyright law (2020).
#blacklivesmatter #BLM #Austinblackhistory

 

Midsouth Gravel 2020

After SXSW 2020 was cancelled, I knew it would be feast or famine for the unforeseeable future for this freelancer. Then the word of CV starting to spread in the US did not calm my nerves either. When I got an opportunity to photograph Midsouth Gravel race (formally the Landrun 100) for CyclingNews in the UK, I jumped on the chance. Up to this point in my life, I have never traveled domestically for a race out of Texas, let alone one I wouldn’t be actually racing!

The Oklahoma race went off as planned, with 100% chance of rain at the start of the race, and basically a race of attrition with broken bikes and broken spirits littering the course from the start to very finish of the 100 mile race. Even the pro racers were apt to slower race times due to the wet, slick course and thick, red clay mud. You can view my photos from the race here:https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/the-mid-south-2020/ and below you can view portraits I took of various racers as they crossed the finish, which to me shows the human spirit and how nothing will ever break that.

Congrats to all participants, staff and racers, whether you finished or not. Please credit “Jessica Alexander/jealexphoto.com” if you download a photo for yourself and tag @jealexphoto on all social media. If you really enjoyed an image, please consider donating $5 or more to https://venmo.com/jealex3 as photography is how I make a living and in this troubled time in history, work opportunities are few and far in between.

Rubber side down and see ya’ll there next year! ❤

Austin City Limit Festival, Austin, TX

Shot for QRO Magazine.

The Strokes Perform at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2015 in Austin, Texas on Sunday, October 4.
Tame Impala Perform at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2015 in Austin, Texas on Friday, October 2.
Shakey Graves Performs at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2015 in Austin, Texas on Saturday, October 3.
Run The Jewels Perform at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2015 in Austin, Texas on Friday, October 2.
Gary Clark Jr. Performs at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2015 in Austin, Texas on Friday, October 2.
Father John Misty Performs at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2015 in Austin, Texas on Saturday, October 3.
The Crowd and Atmosphere at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2015 in Austin, Texas on Friday, October 2.
Billy Idol Performs at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2015 in Austin, Texas on Friday, October 2.
Alabama Shakes Perform at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2015 in Austin, Texas on Saturday, October 3.
Albert Hammond Jr. Performs at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2015 in Austin, Texas on Friday, October 2.

The Nobelity Project Dinner and Concert Gala, Austin, TX

Robert Rodriguez (L), Gilligan Gibbons, Billy Gibbons, Turk Pipkin, Jimmie Vaughan and Robin Vaughan pose on the red carpet during the 10th Annual Nobelity Project Feed The Peace Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 15, 2015 in Austin, Texas.
Christy Pipkin (L) and Turk Pipkin pose on the red carpet during the 10th Annual Nobelity Project Feed The Peace Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 15, 2015 in Austin, Texas.
Andy Langer (L) interviews Billy Gibbons and Turk Pipkin during the 10th Annual Nobelity Project Feed The Peace Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 15, 2015 in Austin, Texas.
Andy Langer (L) interviews Billy Gibbons and Turk Pipkin during the 10th Annual Nobelity Project Feed The Peace Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 15, 2015 in Austin, Texas.
Andy Langer (L) interviews Billy Gibbons and Turk Pipkin while Jimmie Vaughan and Robert Rodriguez look on during the 10th Annual Nobelity Project Feed The Peace Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 15, 2015 in Austin, Texas.
Christy Pipkin (L), Little Steven Van Zandt and Turk Pipkin pose on the red carpet during the 10th Annual Nobelity Project Feed The Peace Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 15, 2015 in Austin, Texas.
Gilligan Gibbons (L), Billy Gibbons, Turk Pipkin, Jimmie Vaughan and Robin Vaughan pose on the red carpet during the 10th Annual Nobelity Project Feed The Peace Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 15, 2015 in Austin, Texas.
Robert Rodriguez and Chris “Whipper” Layton pose on the red carpet during the 10th Annual Nobelity Project Feed The Peace Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 15, 2015 in Austin, Texas.
Turk Pipkin (L) and Warren Zanes pose on the red carpet during the 10th Annual Nobelity Project Feed The Peace Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 15, 2015 in Austin, Texas.
Jimmie Vaughan and Robert Rodriguez pose on the red carpet during the 10th Annual Nobelity Project Feed The Peace Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 15, 2015 in Austin, Texas.
Dana Wheeler-Nicholson (L) and Alex Smith pose on the red carpet during the 10th Annual Nobelity Project Feed The Peace Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 15, 2015 in Austin, Texas.

People For Bikes, Austin, TX

I had an opportunity through my cycling colleague and old friend, Christopher Stanton, to take some photos of an amazing senior-focused cycling program that is taking place on the Eastside of Austin. The program consists of partnering seniors with an adult-trike and giving each rider all the tools they need to succeed as an independent bike-riding member of the community.  The look of joy on their faces is something I will never forget-some of the cyclists had never ridden a bike in their life!

I hope other communities throughout the United States and beyond will adopt programs such as this one-it’s great to make a difference if even for a small group of individuals. It’s even more inspiring when we empower members of our communities that otherwise wouldn’t be able to be active voices in our neighborhoods!