Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elly Weisenborn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Elly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I decided to go full-time with photography before my son was born in November 2024. I’d started my business in early 2021 while juggling part-time jobs, but a few months before he arrived, my husband and I decided I wouldn’t go back. It was equal parts terrifying and exciting — stepping away from the safety net to fully bet on myself and the work I’m passionate about, all while learning how to care for the sweetest baby. There were definitely moments of fear, but having my son gave me a new kind of clarity and drive I hadn’t tapped into before. In the last year and a half, that decision has pushed me to grow stronger as a photographer and business owner than I ever did while splitting my energy. It’s easily one of the best risks I’ve taken.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I fell in love with photography when I was 14! My brother gave me his old digital point-and-shoot camera and I absolutely wore that thing out!! I’ve been enthralled with the idea of stopping time ever since.

There’s something so special about capturing moments for people to hold onto for the rest of their lives. The feeling you get when you look at your parents’ or grandparents’ old pictures is the same feeling future generations will have when they look at yours — and that’s such an honor to be a part of.

Over the years I’ve photographed some of the sweetest small intimate weddings with the kindest, down-to-earth, couples. The couples who tell me, “We want mainly candids. We trust you.” — those couples have my heart!! It’s honestly one of my favorite things. Getting to be a “fly on the wall” while also feeling like part of the family by the end of the day is something I will never take for granted.

And apart from weddings, I just love photographing PEOPLE. Whether it’s an engagement shoot, a portrait session, or an event… I want to capture it all! These moments are all part of what will one day be considered history, and that’s honestly fascinating to me.

I truly love what I do. When someone books me, it’s never just another job — I genuinely look forward to getting to know them and being part of documenting their story.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is that there’s no such thing as a perfect photo — and that chasing perfection actually gets in the way of great work.

I used to put so much pressure on myself to make every image technically flawless. I’d obsess over perfect composition, perfect editing, and perfect expressions… and I’d often end up missing the real moment happening right in front of me. It took me a while to realize I was holding myself back.

A quote from Joe Buissink really helped shift my mindset. He said, “There’s no such thing as a perfect photograph, only a perfect moment.”. and I loooove that. It completely changed how I approach things. Now I don’t shy away from the messy, unfiltered, raw moments — because those are the ones people actually treasure.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There are so many rewarding aspects, but the one that stands out most to me is that I get to keep learning.

I remember specifically, when I was around 17, being completely obsessed — reading tons of books, watching so many YouTube videos, and then immediately going out to practice it all. I remember dragging my mom outside so many times so I could test out what I had just learned. All these years later, I’m still doing the exact same thing. Reading, watching, practicing.

I love that there’s no “final level” in photography. There’s always something new to try, a new technique to explore, or a new way to shift your perspective. That constant growth and curiosity is genuinely one of the most rewarding parts of this journey for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hazephotograph.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haze.photog/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hazephotog
• Other: Threads: https://www.threads.com/@haze.photog?xmt=AQG00VLOmtWhK-wth-2Tga9rR9R7AEgqOQeY1_g_KELvSi4