This is a fairly common question. Joseph Alred probably had his picture taken in the uniform of the Alabama Volunteer Corps.

In 1860 almost every Alabama volunteer militia company belonged to the Alabama Volunteer Corps. Authorized by the legislature in February 1860, requirements for AVC uniforms were almost identical to those worn by soldiers of the U S Army. Only small changes were made, such as AVC buttons which carried the US eagle and shield as seen below.

Alred belonged to Company "C", 29th Alabama Regiment. Originally organized under Capt William H Musgrove as the "Avalanche Company", it joined the AVC on May 4, 1861. By the time this company reorganized for Confederate service, officers and men likely set aside AVC uniforms for something more standard. Note: hill country counties like Blount were called "avalanche" counties because they always voted for any Democrat on the ballot in overwhelming numbers.

Uniforms could be expensive, and members were expected to pay for and provide their own. Communities like Tuscaloosa raised funds to pay for uniforms, as in the case of the "Warrior Guards". In another case, the budget to pay for uniforms needed by troopers of the "Greensboro Cavalry" (40 enlisted men) was just over $1,500. The State of Alabama did provide arms, because legislators agreed that firearms owned by citizens would not meet military standards.

Before delegates convened to decide Alabama’s status in the Union, Governor Moore had already commissioned officers of eighty-five AVC companies. Before three AVC companies from Mobile obeyed his orders to seize the U.S. arsenal at Mount Vernon (January 3, 1861), Moore had issued newly-purchased modern arms to seventy-five companies. Next day three other companies occupied Forts Morgan and Gaines. During the following three weeks Moore sent eleven more armed AVC companies to help Florida militia at Pensacola.

I hope this helps.