May I Have Your Attention, Please...

This past week, while on the Bend [Trip], I had some time to think and discuss life, love and all it's possibilities with some wonderful women. Sometimes you don't realize something until you say it out loud. And I realized something BIG! I've felt frustrated with myself recently. As an artist, as a photographer and as a person. I couldn't figure out where or why I had these feelings, I mean, I have the best job in the world, right?

Then, I said it. I'm a people pleaser. I love to make people happy. And I know that my images make my client's dreams come true. However, the artist within me needs something more. I need to remember to make myself happy with my images to keep things fresh and creative. I need to make myself happy before I can continue to make others happy.

Thus, I have decided to take my blog back! I will continue to post images from weddings and all our other shenanigans,  but instead of posting images that I know my clients, magazine editors, etc will like, I am going to post the images that I personally LOVE!

"How many cares one loses when one decides not to be SOMETHING but to be SOMEONE."

~ Coco Chanel

Cheers to Happiness!

eliesa

Special thanks to Laura for this fabulous photo!

Film: Some of my Favorite Dudes!

I went back home a few weeks ago, only to see a few of my favorite people!

Who doesn't love an impromptu portrait session in the rain? World, meet my friend Erin. I actually didn't really have a conversation with this kid until this night. We never really spoke in high school, so while drinking beer at the county fair, I was like....WHY are we not friends? Erin is good shit. I mean, he is one of those guys that is hilarious, fun and full of life! And ladies, in real life, he totally looks like Ryan Reynolds! Uh huh, you know what I'm talking about!

Then below we have the Bielefeldt brothers. These two have been my best friends for years and years and I just love them to bits! They have always been there for me, support me in everything I do and are huge fans, but keep it real for me, for sure.

You may recognize Shawn from his previous shoot with me, yeah, he's kind of a big deal!

LOVE>FILM!

eliesa

Film: Grandma!

A few weeks ago, an incredibly awesome person lent me a film camera, that is absolutely amazing by the way, and I totally became re-inspired to photograph some things on 'my list'. I also inspired some spontaneous shoots too! Film photos fire me up because of their authenticity. It is SO real and lovely and it constantly reminds me of why I am a photographer.

The imperfection is what makes it beautiful to me.

I've been meaning to photograph my 90 year old grandmother for a long time. 90 years old. What does that look like? 90 years old. What do you do? 90 years old. What makes you happy?

I can say that at 90 years old, Grandma, as she is known to everyone, is quite the woman. Her favorite past time is entertaining, chatting and playing board games. Taking her photograph was so much fun, because it was definitely the highlight of her day, but it was more than that. It was an opportunity to really document an amazing woman.

LOVE>FILM!

eliesa

Grandma Nolan!

Each summer, there is a family reunion. This summer, I was bound and determine to get a fantastic portrait of Grandma Nolan! This is a very strong woman who has such a big heart and spunk for life!

I wanted to shoot film of the family and I was SO excited when the film came back...I nailed it! I absolutely love this image. I think it is classic and it was exactly the portrait I was going for!

And don't you just LOVE film? Each and every time I get film back from Richard Photo Lab, I get all giddy, because it looks SO good! You'd think it's new technology or something!

LOVE>FILM!

eliesa

Abbie: An Impromtu Portrait!

World - meet Abbie! She is my SUPER cool, bad-ass-hair-color-tech-friend from Vancouver! Well, actually, she's an Aussie, but now chills out on the west coast of Canada!

I met Abbie a couple years ago through Brock and she has been a fabulous friend! While I was in Vancouver this past month, we did a bit of an impromptu photo session - I LOVE the way these turned out!

Enjoy!

eliesa

Babes of Summer!

My girl Lilli !!! I've been photographing her since she was in the oven - we are super good friends! Enjoy! eliesa

Happy Birthday Amber!

This last weekend was also my best friend, Amber's, birthday! Since I was conveniently in town for Lindsey and Cole's AMAZING wedding, I figure it would be the perfect opportunity to really surprise Amber! Joe, her boyfriend, is currently going to school 5 hours away, so we planned a sneak-attack-surprise for him to come down and spend the weekend with her!

SUCCESS!!!

 

We also finished things up with a mini-session at the witching hour!

Happy Birthday Amber! Your face was PRICELESS!

LOVEe

Just in Time for Mothers Day!

This week, I photographed Tracy's family for a personal project I am doing! After the shoot, I took a few snapshots of her beautiful little girl Lily!

How gorgeous is this little one?

This also comes with perfect timing, just before Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all of you hot mama's out there! If you are looking for something to treat your mother to, check out the Birchwood Cafe (Tracy's owns the restaurant and it is OH-SO-FABULOUS! Here is a special Mother's Day Menu - Check it Out!)

eliesa

The Schmidt Girls!

I have known Robin and Elissa for a loooooong time. I can actually remember the day, in 6th grade, that I met Elissa! Needless to say, we go way back and I was SUPER excited to be asked to photograph this mother-daughter-duo! We had so much fun and the session was for Robin's Birthday/Mother's Day....Happy Birthday Robin!

I am OBSESSED with this last image...it's an out-take and I LOVE it!

 

Enjoy!

eliesa

Happy Easter & Passover!!!

Wishing everyone a very happy Passover / Easter!

eliesa