Meet Sophia Elle | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sophia Elle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sophia, what role has risk played in your life or career?
To me, there is no point to living life if I’m not going to take risks. And that’s actually something I’ve realized in the last few years. I found myself playing it safe for a long time to only feel stagnant and miserable. I think in order to develop and grow in life and in business, you have to experiment with different paths and ideas. Sure, it’s a lot easier to do that when you’re younger when you don’t have as many responsibilities. But even with a family to take care of and bills to pay, you can still take risks in a smart way. I tend to look at risks as how it will benefit me and contribute to my goals if that risk is successful, and how it will impact me if it doesn’t go as planned – and if I have the means to bounce back from that without negatively affecting my bank account or well being. Then I go from there.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My photographic journey has been well over 10 years in the making. I’ve shot everything from food to weddings, babies to landscapes, and finally fell in love with editorial about four yeas ago. Since then I’ve been blessed to work with amazing models, I’ve captured a number of runway shows from San Diego Swim Week to New York Fashion Week, collaborated with local agencies and boutiques, sat with reputable musicians and comedians, and have been published internationally.

My style is every changing – I’m just always trying to evolve to the next thing. I’ve been told it’s organic, clean, candid and raw. Whatever that means. I just try to create my own contrasts from a variety of inspirational sources. Whether that’s literally
black and white, strong color palettes, or placing a subject or outfit somewhere you wouldn’t normally see it, I really enjoy coming up with imagery and stories that make you do a double-take.

It was definitely not an easy time getting here. It’s still not but it’s definitely more manageable these days. I’ve always loved photography and experimented with film since high school, but never took it serious enough to make it a career until I had my daughter. I was working a 9-5 making a career in Marketing at the time and once she came into the world, I hated
that I was forced to be away from her for so long. There had to be another way. So I was determined to go into business for myself so I could be in control of my time. But I couldn’t just make the jump right away. I spent a few more years taking advantage of the down times at work to learn more about the technicals of my craft via blogs and YouTube; I snuck out an hour a day to use the photo studio at work to shoot something every day and familiarize myself with studio lighting and bilding still life concepts; I used (and still do use) early mornings and late night hours to continue learning, develop concepts, research, and watch art films and inspirational stories of other entrepreneurs.

Gratefully so, I’m now in business for myself. As scary as that was to make the leap, it’s a decision I don’t regret. Running a business excites me, and the every day adventure diving into art and self-mastery is exhilarating. It’s a never ending process and I love every second of it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Honestly, it’s taken a village. I wouldn’t be here without the people who’ve really gone out of their way to send me amazing opportunities: Ayanna of ANG Model Management, Draya of NDC Clothing, Alexis over at Very Fine, Kay Jimenez, Stefina Cruz, Olivia Sandoval, Josh Cevallos, Cilla Wiltz, Tanya at Trendy Boutique, Julie Schu… The supportive conversations had with other creatives that help keep my head on straight… All the models that continue to work with me and help put together incredible work… And most importantly, my daughter. At the end of the day, it’s all for her.

Website: www.sophiaellephotography.com

Instagram: @_ellematic_