We recently connected with Elisabeth Gordon and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Elisabeth thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

My fascination with the camera began in middle school when I started carrying my dad’s DSLR around, relying on manual mode alone to force myself to understand the fundamentals. Middle school is also when I started my education in lighting design at Denver School of the Arts, which blended well into my studio photography practice later. My formal education in photography then took shape during college when I started studying 35mm black and white film photography, primarily focusing on mastering composition, contrast, focus, and depth, and then continued learning several alternative printmaking practices in addition to modern digital photography techniques.

Continuing my education under the guidance of Melanie Walker at CU Boulder and Laerke Posselt at DIS Copenhagen enriched my understanding of the artistic side of photography and its storytelling qualities, later leading me to add an aspect of my work selling toned cyanotypes and gum prints. The vibrant artistic community around me provided endless inspiration, and I found myself constantly motivated by the work of my peers and the artists that I studied and viewed. My internship with From the Hip Photo was particularly transformative too, where I learned to balance artistry, cohesion, and efficiency by helping them edit large galleries of everything from interior design sessions to weddings.

The only way I could have imagined accelerating my learning in photography would have been by teaching myself how to edit early on. I’m of the opinion that mastering Adobe software can significantly enhance a RAW image no matter what device it’s taken on, allowing for creative expression that goes beyond what is captured in-camera. I often relied heavily on in-person educators, but with the wealth of online video tutorials available today I could have explored editing techniques independently. Additionally, emulating the work and creative processes of established photographers and artists could have helped me discover my personal style more quickly. Photography is never just about “taking” an image; it is about making one—crafting a narrative through careful consideration of composition, lighting, and post-processing, and it took me some time to finally learn that concept. Apart from that, the primary obstacle I faced during my learning journey was time; balancing full-time school with several part-time jobs left me with limited hours to dedicate to photography, but it quickly taught me the importance of prioritization and efficiency in my work.

Elisabeth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Elisabeth Gordon (friends call me Ellie) and I’m a photographer and printmaker currently based in Denver, Colorado. I studied Photographic Arts at CU Boulder and held internships with several commercial photographers, magazines, and artists in the Denver/Boulder area before going full time with my own photographic practice.

I am primarily known around Denver for my interior design photography and lifestyle photography (headshots, senior photos, family photos, etc) but I also shoot events, elopements/weddings, and branding. When it comes to architectural/real estate images I try to capture the mood of the space, using natural light when available, and creating visually engaging scenes whilst showcasing the details that the designer or homeowner loves most. When capturing people, I often take on a storytelling or documentary style approach, utilizing my arts background by adding some creativity both in camera and in post whilst still honoring the client’s vision. I’m comfortable fully taking the lead with clients, suggesting beautiful locations, wardrobe options, and poses, but I also love hearing client’s unique ideas when it comes to their sessions; I’ve captured images of solo violinists playing in the middle of a forest, families decked out in faux-fur fits on a frozen lake, created double exposure portraits, produced stop-motion pictures of designers setting up their space, made a full gallery look like expired film, transformed holiday photos into cyanotype and gum prints, and much more.

As I continue to grow as a photographer, I am inspired by the incredible talent surrounding me in Colorado and by the artworks I see during my frequent travels (both personal and during my summers guiding groups of students in Europe). I strive to stand out by constantly learning, creating, and integrating my arts background into my commercial work. As I look to the future, I remain committed to honoring my craft, embracing new challenges, and continually finding inspiration in the world around me.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

In the last two years I’ve started selling art prints at local businesses (coffeeshops, climbing gyms, etc) and at art markets and First Friday events! I primarily create linocut and toned cyanotype prints, drawing inspiration from my travels and from botany.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Facebook has been a surprisingly wonderful way of gaining clients and meeting new people! There are so many online groups that foster community and value recommendations within that community. I try my best to stay active in groups for local neighborhoods, independent business owners, and local photographers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elisabethgordon.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/egordonphotos/

Image Credits

Personal photo taken by Zachary Morris