Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Willis.
Elizabeth, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My dad! At the dining room table, he taught my sister and I not only how to work a camera but the physics and chemistry behind the film and developing (conversations with a physicist… can’t just get a simple answer!).
I’m a pretty sentimental person and moments like these, pouring over old family pictures, helped me decide that I wanted to preserve memories for other people to be nostalgic about.
Ultimately my clients are at the heart of what I do, and shining light on the beautiful, messy, hilarious, real parts of their lives in an artful way is the best part of the job!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Aside from gearing up to take the leap of faith to start a business, my biggest struggle artistically was settling on the right equipment that helped me to translate how I saw the potential of a scene into the image I wanted.
I felt a big disconnect when I switched to my first digital camera after using mostly film. At this point, I wasn’t taking on paid shoots (and couldn’t afford to shoot everything in a film) so I loved the ease of the digital camera but missed the style and emotional connection I had with the images I produced with my film camera.
Finally, I found a camera that is very similar to my trusty Nikon F2 (The Nikon DF), so now I bring them both with me to shoots and weddings. This definitely helped me feel more confident that the images I was handing over were exactly what I wanted for my clients.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Elizabeth Willis Photo – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Elizabeth Willis Photo is a photography company specializing in families and weddings, and has just opened up a print shop selling both digital and physical prints for your home!
Whether I’m photographing families or weddings, I always set the intention for my time with my clients to produce images that reflect who and where they are in their lives.
I know I’ve done my job well when a client says that I’ve captured the best parts of being a parent, or that their wedding images give them a chance to relive their wedding day whenever they see them.
I’ll probably use too many exclamation points in my emails to you, or make funny sound effects when I’m seeing something amazing through my camera, and I’ll definitely give you a heads up when something is about to feel really weird or awkward but will end up looking beautiful.
Usually, sessions end up feeling more like hanging out except I’ll ask you to jump in a flowering bush or stand in this light over here…. not that I don’t do that already with my friends- just ask them!
What role has luck (good luck or bad luck) played in your life and business?
Oh, geez! I guess I could say it’s played in everything! I consider myself lucky that I had the upbringing that I had with parents who allowed creativity to have a place in our lives, and that clients keep choosing me. I am incredibly lucky and thankful for all of the perspectives, places, and people that photography has given me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elizabethwillisphoto.com
- Email: elizabeth@elizabethwillisphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellietacy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethWillisPhoto
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