We recently connected with Ella Sophie and have shared our conversation below.
Ella, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Building confidence and self-esteem is a lifelong process. Knowing my worth as a person and a photographer takes regular reminders. I build my validation not from the outside but from within. When I work on a project I put in my best effort and meet my own standards, this is how I know I’ve done a good job. Growth for me is not a straight line. There are days where I can push myself to learn something new. And other days where I use already developed skills, becoming more comfortable in those areas. Building on past experiences and continuing to hone existing skills has been a big boost to my confidence. Knowing exactly what I’m good at and what I can deliver in a project. Another important aspect of developing my confidence and self-esteem is surrounding myself with people who value what I do. When I first started in commercial photography I didn’t have a lot of people in my life who believed in me or were excited about this line of work. Over time I’ve learned to connect with people who appreciate photography – and even if they don’t love everything I do they see value in it. The reality is a lot of people view creative professions as side gigs or hobbies. But a creative profession is a real job, with real world value – both intrinsically and financially.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a commercial photographer and art director. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and work both locally and internationally. For me what is most exciting about being in the commercial industry is the intersection of art and commerce. The space were fine art and activism meets advertising. And the stimulating challenge of creating the best images in my voice that also reflect the client’s brand. I love when I have the chance to collaborate with my clients to fully tell their story. In a practical sense that generally means I’m developing the art direction with them. And creating a full set of images that include both people, spaces and product. It’s always a fun challenge when I am creating images in the studio as tabletop work and then with people on location, and those two very different scenes have to compliment and play off of one another. Over the past year I’ve expanded my work quite a bit. I’ve signed with a creative agency which has given me the space to focus more on the actual creative end of my business. My portfolio has expanded to include softgoods and food. I love having the support of my agent and being able to confidently offer my clients an even better photo experience.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three things that have had the biggest impact on my journey as a photographer have been art, technical photography skills, and taking risks. My foundation in fine art is definitely the core of my creativity and profession. Having an understanding of art history, composition, color theory and different mediums informs all of my work. The second area of knowledge that is crucial is the technical aspects of photography. Having a strong grasp of not just the camera but also lighting and editing software. Those are the tools I use daily. And being confident with my tools is critical for bringing my vision to life. Then there is the more elusive aspect of success. Taking risks. Risk taking is key to learning and growing as a creative. My risk taking has come in many forms. From moving my entire life and business across the country to little things like trying a new technique or making a cold call. My biggest advice is never stop learning and to continue to be open to trying new things. Go to art lectures, museums and galleries. Read some art history books. Learn about art in mediums other than photography. Create space for yourself to play. And know how to use your tools before showing up on a job.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’d love to collaborate with more advertising, marketing and design folks who are helping product based businesses level up their images. The best way to reach out is generally just to email me. I’m also happy to connect via social media. I’m on Instagram and LinkedIn sporadicly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ellasophiephoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellasophiephoto/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellasophie/
- Other: Agent: https://brandimooreagency.com/
Image Credits
Photographer: Ella Sophie
