Meet Elaina Ellis

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elaina Ellis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elaina below.

Elaina, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic is something I hold close to my heart, and it’s deeply rooted in the examples set by my parents. From a very young age, I watched both of them dedicate themselves to their jobs with unwavering commitment. My dad would rise early each morning before the sun came up, while my mom often worked late into the night to ensure her clients were taken care of.

Through their actions, they showed me that hard work isn’t just a choice—it’s a way of life. They taught me that if you want something in this world, you have to earn it through dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice. Nothing worthwhile comes easy, and success is built one effort-filled day at a time.

It’s because of their example that I approach every task with determination and a sense of pride. Their work ethic lives on in me, and I carry their lessons with me in everything I do.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Currently, I am focused on expanding my videography skills. With over 12 years of photography behind me, I wanted to take on a new challenge. Going into 2025, I plan on enhancing and refining that skill set. Not only does this foster my creative side, but it also allows me to leverage and expand my artistic approach to offer clients a broader range of services. In my day-to-day role, I work as a UI/UX designer for the Navy Reserve, designing mobile and web applications. Early in my career, I intentionally built a professional path outside of photography to expand my relationships and explore different creative mediums. I never wanted to be confined to just being a “photographer.”

My most cherished work, however, would have to be my time with the Norfolk Tides and Old Dominion University. The Norfolk Tides actually discovered me while I was photographing university life and athletics. After taking on an internship with the Tides in my early 20s, I was hooked. I had found my equalizer in a male-dominated industry: sports photography. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a woman working in an arena heavily dominated by men at the time, it felt like I was on the cusp of change and a front-runner for women in sports photography. Today, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come. During my early years, it was rare to see another female photographer on the field. Now, I get emotionally charged seeing so many young women pursuing careers in this space.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to announce upcoming collaborations with local businesses and creatives in Virginia Beach.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

he best advice I can offer to anyone in the photography world—or any industry, really—is to never stop learning. Always challenge yourself. Push past your comfort zone and embrace the discomfort of unfamiliar processes. Share your work openly and invite constructive criticism. Feedback, even when it stings or feels misaligned with your vision, is essential for growth. You cannot thrive in the shade; growth happens when you’re exposed to new perspectives and challenges.

Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned came from building genuine relationships with peers, mentors, and professionals in areas I aspired to grow in. I often think about a photographer from The Virginian-Pilot whom I’d frequently run into at concerts and sporting events. He had a way of grounding me with his advice. He’d joke about how intently I stared at my digital camera, reminding me to stop obsessing over technical perfection and instead focus on the story I wanted to tell. That lesson has stayed with me: trust your instincts, let the narrative lead your work, and the quality will follow.

If you’re just starting out and eager to break into an industry, remember this: network, network, network. Talk to people who have walked the path before you. Listen to their experiences, absorb their wisdom, and apply it to your journey. Dive deep into your passion, stay persistent, and most importantly, give it everything you’ve got.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The biggest challenge I face as a photographer is navigating the relentless demands of social media and its insatiable hunger for constant content. The pressure to churn out work feels disconnected from the true essence of photography—the art of crafting meaningful images and telling compelling stories. Instead, it often feels like I’m just feeding an endless machine, prioritizing quantity over quality.

There are days when the thought of producing more—more posts, more likes, more engagement, faster, faster—leaves me mentally and creatively drained. It’s an exhausting cycle, and honestly, it feels deeply unhealthy. In a space oversaturated with imagery, I sometimes struggle to find the motivation to share my work at all.

Photography should feel intentional, not transactional.

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