Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Elise.
Heather, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I had always been very artistic growing up but never used photography as a medium and honestly wasn’t interested in it. Photographing still life was of zero interest to me. I had floated around to a few universities including SFSU and the UofA and simply couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do. I was floundering for sure! It wasn’t until my sister-in-law, Carrie McCluskey, invited me to assist her while she was photographing weddings.
I thought I would just carry bags and fluff trains but then she told me to take a few rolls of film to see what I would come up with. This is when I fell in love with photographing people! Knowing that this one moment in time would never repeat itself, ever, was magical to me. I continued to second shoot with Carrie as she encouraged me and voila, I started Heather Elise Photography in 2004.
I have been a full-time wedding photographer ever since! I started shooting with film and made the switch to dig in 2007. While shooting my own weddings for my own business, second shooting for other photographer friends has really inspired my photography. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph weddings from New York to Hawaii, Mexico to Canada and everything between!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Amazingly enough, it has been a pretty smooth road aside from the common fears that every small business owner has. Every year is a little different so I’m always thinking of what else I might try. There is always something to dabble in! The awesome thing about photography is that it is an art and to be successful at it I have to keep my creative juices flowing and that keeps me giddy about my job!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I feel like I’ve become known for being a fun photographer. Always smiley and happy and having a great time with my couples/families. After all, these are some pretty fabulous moments I’m asked to capture so let’s have a fabulously fun time doing it! I love getting my couples to relax in front of the camera, have some fun, be a lil’ naughty or get the giggles going. As much as the quality of my work is valued, I want my character to be of value by helping them enjoy the process.
I’m proud of the fact that I have been a full-time wedding and people photographer for, coming up on, 14 years! I feel pretty blessed that I get to do what I love and have been for quite some time now.
What were you like growing up?
I was an athlete through and through. The fastest girl in elementary school and so crazy on the girl’s tetherball court that I had to go play with the boys. It was in middle school that I began getting recognized for my artwork. Painting and drawing and volleyball were all favorites through high school. Winning little awards here and there. If I wasn’t in school or at volleyball practice I was at the beach. If I could get a little sand in my toes it was a good day.
Funny, how that still rings true! I was ALWAYS the one with the disposable camera at every event through college and my early twenties capturing friends and family. Possibly to an annoying degree and also a sign of things to come!
Pricing:
- Wedding photography packages starts at $2650
- Engagement sessions $450
- Family sessions $450
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heatherelisephotography.com
- Phone: 858.663.7223
- Email: heatherelisesd@gmail.com
- Instagram: heatherelisephoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heather-Elise-Photography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/heather-elise-photography-san-diego
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