Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Glenn.
Elizabeth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I used to burn through my parent’s and grandparent’s film growing up, loving walking around with a camera in my hand. It never occurred to me that being a photographer was something I could do as a career. Throughout adolescence, I was always the friend carrying around a little point and shoot camera. In 2011, my husband purchased a DSLR for me, knowing I’ve always loved taking pictures. At that point, it was only a hobby and I never would’ve dreamed it would become anything more than that.
In 2012, some friends of mine got engaged and I thought it would be fun to take engagement pictures for them. I enjoyed it so much, I decided to give the idea of opening a photography business a try! It was a lot of years struggling to figure out which direction I wanted to take my business in, which subjects I wanted to photograph, how to get my work from where it was to where I wanted it to be. It wasn’t until last year when I switched to an SLR camera and shooting film for good that everything fell into place for me creatively. I’m a Michigan native now residing in Long Beach, California, photographing local families on film. My work has been featured in many reputable magazines and websites, and I’m looking forward to teaching at a photography conference next year (more information on that will be shared on my IG in July!)
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Picking up a camera is easy. Creating art that’s fulfilling for me and taking my photos from what they used to be to what they are now is not. It was years of experimenting, of feeling like a failure, hundreds of dollars invested in classes, Photoshop presets, equipment, conferences, all seeming to yield very little results. I truly believe that it’s always darkest before the dawn, and after a yearlong break where I nearly set my camera down for good, I finally made my breakthrough. It’s also been a challenge to balance work and family life. If I’m going all out for my work 100%, I feel the guilt of not being there 100% for my family. Walking a tightrope is something I’ve quickly had to learn, and finding the balance hasn’t been easy!
Please tell us about Elizabeth Glenn Photography.
I’m an artist, specializing in documenting families on film. I’m known for life-filled, wholehearted, colorful images that capture the energy of each family in the present moment. I’m known for experimenting with my work. I love colorful light leaks, double exposures, shooting film multiple times over lights, and not being afraid to try new things. I’m proud of that, being fearless and discovering new breakthroughs in that way. I think it’s important as a business that I take calculated risks to keep my work fresh. If I’m not excited about my work, why should anybody else be?
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could go back and do it all over again, I think I would’ve started exclusively on film. I appreciate all the basics I learned from digital, but I think I could’ve learned them from film quicker, as there’s little room for error! I also would’ve been more selective about what I spent my money on. Equipment is really only as good as the photographer, and I spent a lot of years thinking the camera body or lens would be what took my work from boring to excellent. I would’ve put myself out there more, and had more confidence in what I have to say as an individual, and trust my unique perspective on the world. I know now that’s what sets me apart, just being who I am and putting myself out there!
Pricing:
- $500 all-inclusive family session, yielding a minimum of 30 high resolution digital images in an online gallery
Contact Info:
- Website: elizabethglennphotography.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/elizabethglennphotography
- Facebook: facebook.com/elizabethglennphoto
Image Credit:
Elizabeth Glenn
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
