Alec Butterfield is from Spearfish, SD. His love for storytelling began from the first time he gained consciousness while sitting in a movie theatre with his father. Throughout his childhood and adolescence, he and his father would go to see a film every weekend, crafting a robust sense of visual literacy without knowing it. Starting with skate and ski videos shot on a go-pro, he quickly transitioned into day and night studying of film theory, film directors, and cinematographers. He used the knowledge he gained to start writing and producing short films and developed a passion for story-driven photography.

Butterfield is currently pursuing a B.F.A in Photography at Black Hills State University (BHSU). He has been the Editor-In-Chief and Creative Director of Ponder magazine since 2024. He led the publication to win the first Magazine Pacemaker Award (ACP) in South Dakota, along with a David L. Adams Apple Award for Best Magazine Division 2 (CMA), a National Gold American Advertising Federation Award, and dozens of other National, Regional and Local awards. He has won personal awards for 1st Place ACP Photo of the Year (Environmental Portrait), and numerous other writing and photography awards. During his studies, he worked for the Magnolia Network show “Building Outside the Lines,” and helped produce the PBS documentary “Chasing Tables.”

The connective thread that runs through all his work is the storytelling power of a strong and compelling narrative, and he hopes to bring about change in a society stuck in an ever-growing divide.

Awards and Recognition

2025

Best Feature Documentary (FLiC) - Chasing Tables - Nomination

Photo of the Year (ACP) - Environmental Portrait - 1st Place

Feature Magazine Pacemaker (ACP) - Ponder - Washington, D.C.

National Gold ADDY Award - Ponder Issue 2

Gold ADDY Award - Ponder Issue 2 - District 8

David L. Adams Award - Best Magazine - 1st Place - Ponder Issue 2 - CMA - New York City

Golden Leaf Awards - Best Feature Story - Chasing Distance - 1st Place - Nebraska

Golden Leaf Awards - Breaking News Story - BHSU Food Contaminated with Larvae - 1st Place - Nebraska

Best of Show - Ponder Issue 2 - American Advertising Federation - Black Hills SD

Gold ADDY Award - Ponder Issue 2 - American Advertising Federation - Black Hills SD

Gold ADDY Award - Ponder Issue 1 - American Advertising Federation - Black Hills SD

Gold ADDY Award - Photo Campaign - We’re Not Robots - American Advertising Federation - Black Hills SD

Silver ADDY Award - Still Photography - Stay Warm, Ski Hard - American Advertising Federation - Black Hills SD