Today we’d like to introduce you to Elle Williams
Hi Elle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was seventeen, I knew I wanted to start a business of my own. I had an itch to see what my ambition and youth could do for me! I needed my business to revolve around working with people, because my source of happiness is 100% the people I have the privilege of meeting and surrounding myself with. I also always wanted to learn photography. I knew close to NOTHING about photography. I was a senior in high school about halfway through the school year and I took action. Watched youtube videos, asked a friend who I knew was a photographer for advice, played around with adobe lightroom, and pulled the trigger and invested in a camera. Within TWO WEEKS of buying my camera I was getting paid about $300 a shoot to do graduation photos, senior photos, friends, and couples. I used the network I had within my town and the highschools around mine to get clients and get a tag on instagram to grow my network!
I went on a trip to Santorini Greece and I met a couple on a honeymoon and immediately asked if I could give them a sunrise photoshoot. This experience alone gave me so much fuel and motivation to keep growing. By the time school was out I was charging 350-450 for photos after only holding a camera for a few months. I have been progressing, learning, and building my business everyday since. My absolute favorite part of the job is the people I get to meet and make them feel beautiful. Every album I send out I get giddy and feel like I am sending a little present. I LOVE every client I have met and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to do this. This last summer I had 60+ clients in three months and I could not be more grateful. I have taken every opportunity to learn and grow with my camera: vacations, parties, skiing, camping, and more outdoor adventures.
I think my photography has opened up so many doors for me in my life. I got a small on campus job my freshman year of college that got me involved at the University, and now I was just elected to be Student Body Vice President here at the University of Utah as a sophomore!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although I threw myself into photography, it was not easy to learn. I taught myself a lot, and there’s still so much about photography I don’t know, but I am learning everyday.
Moving after highschool was also very hard to completely restart my network, but I really focused on marketing on Instagram and I got a reel to reach over 5 million views!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in portraits. I think a big thing I am known for is of course my shooting and editing style, but mainly the experience of the shoot. It is supposed to be fun, and an experience to remember. I do everything in my power to ensure a constant natural smile on my client’s face, and the most comfortable experience possible.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I genuinely believe that my ambition and personable personality. I was raised to strongly believe that anything set my mind to I can accomplish, so throughout my business journey, I always knew there was a way to make it possible, and always a way to grow. Of course the quality of my photos are a key component, but connecting with clients and genuinely building a friendship is what makes me successful in this field.
Pricing:
- Senior Photos: $400-$500
- Graduation shoots: $400-500
- Family shoots: $350-450
- Couples: $350-500
- School Dances/ events: $250+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ellebellephotos.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: ellebellephotos
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elle-williams-753370291/
