Story & Lesson Highlights with Jade Elora of West LA

Jade Elora shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Jade, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
There’s a classic trope about photographers: that we’re all behind the camera because we hate being in front of it. For me, that is definitely a reality; I’ve never enjoyed having my photos taken.

When I first started in photography, I thought that I was an outlier and that most people were actually pretty comfortable with having their photos taken. (It always seemed to me like everyone else was fine and I was the awkward one.) Since then, I’ve had hundreds of conversations about the topic with clients, friends, and acquaintances, and the answer is always consistent: everyone struggles with getting photos taken.

Everyone I’ve ever spoken to about it has had a bad photography experience and most of us feel that anxiety around the process and the pressure to perform. It turns out, those feelings are somewhat universal, and a big goal of mine has become changing that for people.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jade—a wedding & engagement photographer in LA. I have a colorful, naturally lit photo style and specialize in working with alternative, fun, and/or LGBTQ+ couples. My goal is to capture genuine emotion and the playful moments of connection between people, and I work to make the photography process enjoyable and relaxed. While weddings & couples are my bread and butter, I also do boudoir and individual portraits. As long as I’m working with people and helping them feel good about themselves, I’ll be there with a camera!

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
When I was younger, I worked really hard to get people to like me. It really mattered to me that everyone liked me. Looking back on that now, I see that as an important phase in figuring out who I was, but that need to be liked doesn’t serve me anymore. Nowadays, in business and in life, I realize that I’m not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. I have colorful hair and tattoos and a playful vibe, which isn’t what everyone is looking for. Being authentically me is inevitably going to put some people off, but it’s also going to draw the right people to me.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I’ve always been afraid of looking foolish. That’s why I’m always so impressed with people who perform or do things like improv, because they have no qualms about just putting themselves out there. They’ll happily give their unfiltered, wackiest selves to an audience of strangers. As an introvert who struggles to fully break out of her shell, I envy that ability so much.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
At this point in my life, I’m always varying degrees of myself. When I’m at work, people get the diligent, focused, organized me, and that’s definitely a huge part of who I am. I also let out little bits of the goofier side of my personality as I get to know my clients. It’s all me, but it’s like the volume is at 20%. The real me is talkative as heck, very passionate and enthusiastic, obsessively perfectionist, and a total goof. All of the parts are there in my public-facing self, you just get a lot more!

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Before I was a photographer, I was a journalist, and I had always told myself it was my dream career. But with photography, it feels like exactly what I was made for. I get “in the zone” when I’m working and everything just flows. I’ve found this real groove where I’m able to connect with clients and capture their genuine selves without that stiff, uncomfortable photography process. Every single time a client tells me that they felt comfortable for the first time in front of a camera, it makes me feel on top of the world. I am always very aware of the trust people put in me to capture their milestone moments, and I’m really grateful for it. It sounds cliché, I know, but it really feels like a calling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.JadeEloraPhotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadeeloraphoto/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jade-elora-photography-glendale

Image Credits
All Photos: Jade Elora Photography