now, let me introduce myself

Inspired by youth, beauty, rich cultures and candid moments, my name is Aleia, an African-Caribbean-Canadian girl exploring the world around her.

I am The Familiar Foreigner.

Yeah, that’s a mouthful.

How it started:

As a kid, I had always been obsessed with being in front of the camera, smiling, dancing, rock climbing, doing whatever I could to catch the camera lens. It wasn’t until high school when I fell in love with image making and being the one capturing those moments from behind the camera. Photography fell into my life in 2012 and that was when I found a more meaningful way to be a part of an image without actually being a part of the image. To me, photography and videography have always been a way to tell intimate, adventurous, bold and historic stories.

How its going:

I took a huge leap of faith, like any good adventurer would, and moved across the world to China. This is an adventure I thought would only last a year, however, it is now 2022 and I am still exploring and capturing the Eastern hemisphere. It’s been a wild ride but here I am; open, vulnerable and wanting to share my life in hopes that it inspires someone else out there to chase their dreams worldwide. 

I am an artist, a filmmaker, a traveller, journalist, storyteller, adventurist, believer, life long learner, dream chaser and soul sister.

I create visual stories, share my own candid ups and downs and I love what I do!

“I’m always open to collaboration and business inquiries! Don’t be shy, send me an email and we can chat!”
— Aleia, The Familiar Foreigner

achievements

I have established myself as an photographic artist through exhibiting my work in various galleries such as:

  • Gallery 310 at Ryerson University, 2016

  • Lost in Translation Showcase, 2016

  • Photography and Digital Communications Award at Ryerson University in 2016

  • The ARCHV RMX Showcase curated by This is Worldtown, 2018

  • Shanghai Art Collection Museum, 2022

  • Online publications such as; TajiMagazine and The Ryersonian

  • I have also had the opportunity to take my photographic skills outside of my hometown and abroad to Montreal, Ottawa, New York, Dominica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, France, Italy, Egypt and China.