Kwaku Alston
© Photo by CHASE HIRT
About
Kwaku Alston is a photographer and director whose work bridges still and motion storytelling through a distinct visual language shaped by light, composition, and emotional nuance. He has photographed some of the most influential figures of our time—from Oscar and Grammy
Award winners to President Barack Obama and the First Family—creating portraits that feel both intimate and iconic, balancing documentary sensibility with classic portraiture. His clients include The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and Harper’s Bazaar, along with global brands such as Apple, Coca-Cola, and Verizon, and studios including Netflix, Amazon, and Disney.
Beginning in photography and evolving into directing, he brings a frame-driven approach to motion. His work spans commercials, music videos, and short films, including ALONE, which screened at PSFF Paris, MoMA New York (ASVOFF), and VAFF Virginia. Most recently, he produced, wrote, and directed the short film Feeling This Way, starring Gary Dourdan, currently entering festivals for Summer 2026. His experience behind the camera also includes work as Director of Photography on the documentary In Search of Voodoo, with multiple trips to West Africa further shaping his visual language and global perspective.
He is the founder of Open Light Productions, supporting work across both photography and motion. His collaborations with organizations such as DesignACure, the Black AIDS Institute, and Project Angel Food reflect an ongoing commitment to storytelling with purpose. In 2025, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he also delivered the commencement address for the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Scheduled to Teach
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LACP Interviews Kwaku Alston
LACP asks Kwaku Alston ten questions about their background, career in and beliefs about photography.
Los Angeles Center of Photography: What kind of photographer are you?
Kwaku Alston: I would consider myself a portrait photographer with a deep passion for all things photography.
LACP: How long have you been photographing?
KA: I’ve been shooting for over 30 years.
LACP: Where did you get your training?
KA: I attended the Rochester Institute of Technology. After that, I assisted in New York City and worked my way up the ladder through editorial, music, and advertising jobs.
LACP: When did you know you wanted to devote your life to photography?
KA: I knew in my third year of college. That was when it became clear to me that I wanted to devote my life to photographing people.
LACP: Did you ever come close to giving up?
KA: Many times, and sometimes I still do. But there is still a passion in me that loves creating all kinds of imagery. That is what keeps me hungry.
LACP: Have you sacrificed anything by being a photographer?
KA: With any passion, and with the time and dedication it takes to build a successful career, there are sacrifices. I’ve sacrificed vacations, as well as time with friends and family when shoot schedules conflicted. Most of all, the biggest sacrifice has been job security.
LACP: What have you gained by being a photographer?
KA: Everything I have is because of my hard work in photography. It has opened so many doors and brought relationships with people I never imagined I would meet or become friends with. Being a photographer is truly a gateway into pop culture and everything that surrounds it. I love being a fly on the wall and contributing images that sometimes make history, or at least stay with people.
LACP: What classes do you teach at LACP?
KA: Entertainment and Portrait Photography.
LACP: What do you love most about teaching?
KA: I love giving back the knowledge I’ve acquired over the years and passing it down to other creatives to help them on their photography journey. More importantly, I love being inspired by what my students create.
LACP: What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making a career in photography?
KA: Shoot, shoot, shoot. Edit, and then shoot some more. Show your work, and never be shy about showing it to total strangers.