Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Walcott.
Hi Elise, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a San Diego-based, natural-light Photographer specializing in newborns, children, and families. I like to say photography found me. My photography journey began in high school when I took a camera sitting in our home and started photographing the family I was babysitting for. I remember taking my first roll of film to the local drug store to be developed and the feeling I received when I got them back is something I’ll never forget. Photography came naturally to me. I fell in love with being able to jump into the lives of those in front of my camera and create something beautiful for them. In college, I took the only photography course they offered four times over.
Fast forward to graduating college. I was working a part-time corporate job and studying for a nursing program. After realizing nursing was not what I wanted to do, I decided to start my photography business in 2010. Once I made the jump to really focus on my photography education and building a business, I went to work for a photography studio in San Diego. I was there for a year and then decided to break off on my own and give my business my all. I’ve had incredible mentors along the way. Each helped educate and guide me in creating the business I have today.
Aside from photography, my greatest joy is being a mom. To say I love babies is an understatement. As a small child, I always wanted to be a mom and it is a dream to be in this stage of my life. My husband, Sean, has always been my number one supporter in my business and for that, I am so grateful for.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think obstacles ever stop, as the years go by the challenges change. It is what makes you evolve.
The most recent obstacle I have faced is work/life balance and my health. I have had two back surgeries in the last ten years and photography is a challenging occupation for people with back issues. You are up, down, sideways, contorted in many ways and it takes a toll on the body. I’ve really had to learn to say no to and limit myself. The hardest part for me was not being able to be reliable. When my health issues started taking away from the level of service I wanted to provide, I knew I needed to take a leave from work to focus on getting better.
In the pits of my back issues, I had to let go of everything. A lesson I was not ready to learn but was forced to. For months I couldn’t care for my children, clean, walk, drive, etc. I had to divvy out tasks to our support team and be okay with not doing it all myself. The mental toll it took was the hardest part for me but it taught me to ask for help and be ok with it.
For a more business related challenge; social media. I was finally able to start working again in June 2021 and I knew I needed to focus on relaunching my brand and social media presence. I had neglected many things for 2 years in order to get through the rough patch with my health. I also had conflicting feelings about social media and it was a task I didn’t want to take on. In the past, I was never consistent and always thought it was something I should be able to do myself. Instagram is a place where I find inspiration but also self doubt. I finally threw in the towel so to speak and I hired an amazing social media management company. It was the best decision I have made for my business and myself. I still get to have input and interaction with my followers but it has taken the daily burden off me. As a bonus, I get to work with a team that inspires me too!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in photographing families in every stage from bumps to grandparents. I would describe my work as soft, timeless and tailored.
The photography industry has changed so much since I started my business and it is easy to get lost in the trends of today. In order to keep my work from aging, I edit true to color and minimally. My work displays details, candids, posed and raw moments. In order for my work to portray the essence of each unique family, I have to create an atmosphere where my clients feel comfortable and confident and their children feel like my best friend. I think what sets me apart from others is consistency. If you look through the images I took ten years ago, my style has stayed the same. As I grew, the quality of my work did.
I think my work evolved the most when I became a mom. The moments that are important to me with my children, I try to capture for my clients. I want my clients to receive an array of images and poses but most importantly when they open up their galleries for the first time that they feel like I captured moments they don’t have the words for. I am most proud of the relationships this business has brought to my life. Clients I had a decade ago, I still photograph today. It is the greatest joy this job brings me.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The biggest lesson I have learned is that confidence is your greatest asset. Between the ups and downs of building my business, being a mom, wife, and chronic health issues, it is easy to feel lost at times. I’ve learned that continued education is key. Never stop learning, invest in yourself and lean into delegating tasks no matter how uncomfortable it may seem.
Contact Info:
- Email: elise@elisewalcottphotography.com
- Website: www.elisewalcottphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisewalcottphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elisewalcottphotography
Image Credits
Personal Photo: Pauline Conway Photography Additional Photos: Elise Walcott Photography
