Meet Alissa Alfaro | Special Education Teacher & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alissa Alfaro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alissa, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Growing up and living in Cedar Hill for 15+ years, I lived in a very diverse environment. I experienced multiple cultures and customs in my neighborhood, school, and church. Specifically, when I was in 5th grade Hurricane Katrina happened early on that school year. Cedar Hill was a relocation city, so I quickly learned and interacted with people from the greater New Orleans area. Because of my experiences in a minority-majority environment, I quickly learned to adapt, gain knowledge, and empathetic emotions for cultures and experiences different than mine. My family often took in individuals and families who were in need; whether it was shelter, food, or people who just need someone to call family. We, as a family, frequently held events at our house for neighbors and friends. My mom’s food, dad’s humor, and our family’s overall love and empathy was the gravitational pull that kept people coming back. All this to be said, my upbringing allowed me to blossom into a very community orientated, empathic and adaptable person.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a full-time Special Education teacher for Mansfield ISD during the weekdays. On weeknights and weekends I am creatively invested in my photography business, Shirley + Wild Photography. I got my first “point and shoot” Kodak camera for my 11th birthday. When I was about 15 years old, I upgraded to my first Canon DSLR camera with a 18-55 mm lens and named myself “Shirley Photography” after my late maternal grandmother and given middle name. During high school, I looked to photography as a hobby while discovering that Special Education was my gift. I participated in a program called “Partners in PE”, where General Education students were partnered with their peers who have disabilities to develop their motor skills in order to participate in Special Olympic events. One of the Special Education teachers over that program pulled me aside one afternoon and told me I should look into Special Education degrees because I have a gift for working with students with disabilities. After completing K-12 in Cedar Hill ISD, I attended Texas A&M in 2014 then transferred to Texas State in pursuit of my degree in Special Education. During that time, I put photography on the back burner. Once I graduated and COVID-19 hit, Wild Bill passed away. Shirley Photography transitioned to Shirley + Wild Photography and my creative rebirth was under way. During and after his passing, I was emotional, as most of us were during 2020. I channeled my emotions and turned to my hobby into a career. In every client that I take on, I try my best to capture their genuine emotions. I want the world to feel what they are feeling in every single picture. In the same of my full time Special Education career, I want the world to see my students for the beautiful people they are.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love food, so I have LOTS of recommendations! – Sam’s Pizza and Pasta in Cedar Hill
-Mario’s Mexican and Salvadoran Restaurant in Dallas, Salsa Tex-Mex in Plano, Frisco, and Prosper, or Café Acapulco in Arlington are all owned by my husband’s family and all of them have practically the same menu all with DELICIOUS food. I highly recommend the Fajitachanga which at Cafe Acapulco is “Alissa’s Favorite”.
– Jambo’s BBQ in Rendon off of 1187
– Pho Em in Mansfield

Depending on what time of year it is, here are my recommendations of things to see in the Metroplex:
Fall: A Cedar Hill Football game because 6A Texas Football is a whole ‘nother beast.
Winter: The Gaylord Texan in Grapevine is absolutely awesome around this time of year.
Spring: The Texas Tulips in Waxahachie is beautiful and gives a glimpse into what Holland would be like.
Summer: I love Bishops Arts in the Summer. There’s always live music somewhere and little boutiques with unique items waiting to be discovered.

Over all seasons, I love hanging out at any of the White Rhino locations in the metroplex. I love a good Iced Chai Tea Latte or Iced Sebastian.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I would like to thank my husband, Evan. He is my high school sweetheart, and he has seen me through my highs and lows the past 10 years. He has always been extremely supportive of me, and his quiet and nurturing character has always been the gentle push I needed to pursue my passions. Secondly, I’d like to thank my parents for nurturing me in a diverse environment, buying me my first camera, and allowing me to pursue my dreams and passions. Lastly, I would like to thank my late maternal grandparents, Mimi and Wild Bill, Through their dedication to their community of Irving, Lubbock and beyond; they paved the way for me to connect with others through my passions and skills as Mimi was highly involved with her local Girl Scouts and Wild Bill was an architect. They are also the namesake for my photography business, Shirley + Wild Photography.

Website: https://shirleywildphotography.pixieset.com/

Instagram: @shirleywildphoto @shirleyalissaa

Image Credits
Shirley + Wild Photography