MEET ALEXA ☀️

I’m the storyteller behind @ajfernando. What started as an outlet to document my everyday food, stories and photographs became a digital brand that has opened opportunities both personally and professionally. I believe that we make our way by walking, and over the years my brand has evolved with me and my life in transit.

This website is both a portfolio where I showcase my work and creativity and a blog where I share my musings as a scuba diver, as a traveler and as a free-spirit Filipina. I hope my journey inspires you to create, to connect and to explore—with others, with the world, and with yourself.

 
 

MY BACKGROUND 🇵🇭🇹🇼🇨🇦

I’m from the Philippines, born and raised in Manila. My family moved to Taiwan when I was 9 years old and we lived there for 12 years. My childhood was spent between Taipei and Manila, and I recognize both cities as my home.

Contrary to popular belief, I did not grow up in Canada. I was already an adult when I immigrated. My family settled in Calgary, which is now “home”, while I did my undergrad in Vancouver. I changed my program several times but ended up with a degree in Spanish and Chinese from the University of British Columbia. I then moved to Toronto to pursue my dream of going to culinary school.. which led me to realize a new dream: attending graduate school. In 2016, I finally graduated from being a professional student receiving a certificate in Culinary Arts from George Brown College and a Master’s in Digital Media from Ryerson University.

 
 
 
 

MY WORK & CAREER 📷

I am a self-taught photographer and got my first DSLR camera when I was 17 years old. Photography was mostly a hobby until 2014 when I started offering it professionally. I mostly freelanced for small businesses, interned for Team Canada for a summer, then landed my dream job doing photography and content full-time for one of Toronto’s top chefs and restauranteurs. My work has been published in: Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, The Hollywood Reporter, Canada's 100 Best Restaurants, Toronto Star, Calgary Herald, National Post, Chatelaine Magazine, Toronto Life, Foodism Toronto.

But what I do goes beyond the camera. I wouldn’t be where I am today without social media. As a digital creator, I have been fortunate to work with some amazing clients and agencies all over the world, and on a wide range of project types as well as national and global campaigns, including: Google, YouTube Music, Instagram, Fujifilm Instax, Visit California, Tobago Tourism, TAP Portugal, Travel Alberta, Heineken, Sunkist, etc.

Check out my portfolio for more and how we can work together.

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