Photographer Feature: Heather Ellis
Today on the blog, we've got Heather Ellis from Heather Ellis Photography. She serves the Salt Lake City Utah and shoot families, weddings, and babies. Heather's work impressed us because she seems to be able to capture people's true emotions. Her work is vibrant and classic while artistic. We asked Heather to share with us some of her background and inspiration. To see more of her work, you can check out her website as well as her Facebook page.
What initially got you interested in photography?
I have always had a passion for capturing moments on film. When I was younger, I never went anywhere important without a camera. I still have boxes and boxes of photos I haven taken, and I love to look through them. I got my first DSLR back in 2008, and it was love at first site! I found that I had a natural talent and passion for photography, and ever since that time I have constantly tried to learn and grow and become the best photographer I can be! For me, I want to not only take a picture, but capture emotion, so that when people look through their photos years from now they can remember the feelings they had at that exact moment.
Do you have formal training? Self taught? Mixture of both?
I took some college classes, as well as doing some classes and mentoring from other photographers I admire. Then I just got out there and practiced!
What gear do you have in your camera bag? What equipment do you favor most?
First of all, I love my purple Livy camera bag from Cheeky Lime!! I shoot with a Canon Mark 3. My lenses are the Canon 135 f/2, Canon 85 f/1.8, Canon 50 f/1.4, Canon 50 f/2.5 macro, and Canon 24-105. My favorite lens is the 135, because it gives amazing depth of field and the compression just makes images pop!
What are your favorite sessions/subjects to shoot?
I LOVE shooting weddings! Everything about them, from engagements to the reception, make me so happy
Describe your style in 3 words. How has your style evolved over your time as a photographer?
I would describe my style as clean, natural, and timeless. I feel like my style is constantly evolving, but my goal will always be to create images that won't look too dated twenty years from now.
What’s your most memorable or funniest “on the job” moment?
I like to laugh and have fun at my sessions! And I am really good at laughing at myself. Just yesterday we did an engagement shoot in the snow, and I kept falling through the snow up to my knees! I could barely walk. I am sure I looked like a complete goof, but we had fun and it helped me get some genuine smiles from my clients, so I can't complain too much.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I am inspired by love. It doesn't matter if it's the love of a newly engaged couple, or the love of parents welcoming a baby into the world. Capturing that love is the reason I do what I do.
Best editing tip?
I try to edit my photos to look as natural as possible. I want people to be their best version of themselves. You don't need to over process your images to make the beautiful.
How has photography helped shape how you see the world?
Everywhere I go I see a photo, which is probably why I have a camera with me all the time! I can't help myself, I am constantly framing a picture in my head.
Give us your best photography related tip!
My favorite tip for taking a photo is to pull your subject away from the background! For example, if you place them right in front of a tree, you will get zero depth of field in that image. Pull them away from the tree so that there is some distance to help create a beautifully blurred background. And always remember to have fun!
Thanks, Heather! We truly are fans on your work and for everyone else, be sure to check out and "like" Heather's page!
Heather’s work is beautiful….I love the way she has taken a talent and an interest and developed it to serve and preserve precious moments. I am so very proud of her,
Thank you so much for the feature! I am honored :)