Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen Gustafson.
Hi Ellen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Photography has always interested me from a young age, but it felt intimidating to get started. I enjoyed taking photos at family events and when I traveled, but I knew I needed to start with the basics. The perfect opportunity to learn directly from someone I had admired for a long time came about as I eagerly inquired about becoming an assistant for a local full-time wedding photographer (shout out to Amanda Marie Studio!) After assisting her for over a year with weddings, portrait sessions, the glamorous office hours, and taking continuing education classes at the Minneapolis Photo Center, I started taking on clients of my own. I’ve now been in business for 6 years.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
I didn’t become full-time in my business until 2020 because I also had a part-time bartending job. One of the hardest parts was leaping to being full-time. It was scary, but looking back now, I wish I had done it years earlier. The pandemic has presented many challenges with general uncertainty, but pushing me to become a full-time photographer and business owner has been the best silver lining.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I started my apprenticeship, I truly didn’t have a clear direction I knew I wanted to focus on regarding photography. After a while, it became clear that documenting relationships and growth was the perfect niche for my business. I’m proud of the relationships I make and keep with my clients. I love that they can keep coming back for photos of life’s milestones. I feel very comfortable getting to know people. Taking your photo can be intimidating, making me feel like I’m doing something right when my clients tell me I make them feel comfortable during sessions. When photographing important events or intimate situations, getting to know people quickly and making them feel comfortable in front of the camera is important for creating natural photos highlighting my clients and what’s happening.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I credit my years in the service industry to becoming efficient and intuitive in my photography practices. Working in a fast-paced environment when you’re always thinking ahead and multitasking has translated well to photography, especially when I photograph weddings.
I am so grateful that I had the time and an amazing mentor (shout out to Amanda Marie Photography) when I first started out. Having that hands-on experience for over a year before completely going off on my own was totally invaluable and I encourage anyone who’s interested in learning about having a photography business to work with someone you admire to get your foot in the door and gain skills and practice.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ellengustafsonphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellengustafsonphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellengustafsonphotography
Image Credits
Ellen Gustafson Photography
