Getting to know Troy's newest photographer

From a Troy student to an MLB photographer to the new full-time photographer at Troy: This is the journey for Aliza Chambers, but it is not as straightforward as it seems. 

“I was a photographer for the Tropolitan when I was a student here,” Chambers said.

“Then, after working for the Trop, I got a student position with Joey, the head photographer.  

“After graduating, I worked for Troy as a freelance photographer. I then worked with a company called Glossy Finish and Studio Seven.  

“I got an internship in New York with the MLB. I was working for them as a photographer.  

“After my internship was up, Troy contacted me, and they asked me if I would be interested in the job opening that they were creating.” 

Each stop taught the future Troy University full-time photographer something new, the first being her stop in Panama City, Florida, for the company Glossy Finish. 

“I went to work with Glossy Finish after college and it really instilled in me a good work ethic because the days were the longest days I had ever worked,” Chambers said. “It was from sunrise to nine o'clock at night, every single day, no days off for the entire summer outside in Panama City.  

“It was hard physically and mentally, but I really learned to be very tenacious as a photographer.” 

Chambers returned to Troy to work for Studio Seven, where she learned about the business side of photography. It was not long after she got the call to New York City. 

“One day, I got an email from someone at the MLB, and they were like, ‘Hey, we have seen your work,’” Chambers said. “’You should apply to us.’  

“At first, I thought it was a scam because there was no way someone from the MLB was asking me to apply. I applied, and I had two rounds of interviews.  

I didn't think I was going to get it. Then I got the call that I had gotten the internship, and I was like, oh gosh.  

“I had literally two weeks to figure out how I was going to move all the way to New York City. I think what I just kept telling myself was to have confidence in myself because they saw something in me.” 

With her return to Troy, Chambers tells aspiring photographers not to give up even when they receive several no’s.  

“I would recommend accepting criticism from anyone you look up to,” Chambers said. “Anyone whose work you think is better than yours, I would ask for their critique.  

“I would, in the waiting period to continue shooting, keep taking pictures, even if you're working a job that has nothing to do with photography. Don't give up on your dream.” 

As a full-time photographer for Troy, Chambers will cover sporting events, graduations and events around campus. However, there is one event she is looking forward to the most. 

“O's Cool Bike Ride in April that they host here every year,” Chambers said. “I have been taking pictures of that event since it started.  

“For me, it's just so special to be able to do that every single year. With it having such a meaningful significance, it's just so cool to be able to take pictures of something and feel like I'm a part of something bigger than me.” 

With the spring semester underway, Chambers will not have to wait long to photograph this special event.