We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elizabeth DeVoe a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Elizabeth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

Most times when you think of getting your yearly family photos done, you start to get anxious. Planning, finding a location, buying new outfits, getting everyone on board, packing a bag, loading up the car, and getting somewhere on time with everyone in high spirits. Then you have to spend the whole session awkwardly posing and making everyone smile.

That stressed me out even writing it.

It may seem contradictory, being a photographer, but I don’t like having my photo taken. I would hate to have to go through all that. It would probably stop me from doing it altogether. So I decided to do things differently. I decided to approach it how I, someone who wouldn’t want to go through all that and is uncomfy in front of a camera, would want it done.

I specialize in in-home, documentary style family photography. This means that you don’t have to leave your house for your session. I will come to you. This also means you don’t have to worry about feeling weird or over posed, or making the kids sit still and smile for the camera. All you have to do is interact, hang out, and just be together. I may direct you to the awesome light or give you an activity or game to play, but after that I capture your genuine, authentic interactions in an artistic way.

When you look back at your family photos, I guarantee your favorite ones are the silly, goofy, real, raw, emotional ones. Those are the ones that will be cherished for generations to come. And those are the ones I deliver.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi! I’m Elizabeth. I get to take really cool photos for really cool people.

Seriously, I think what I do rules.

I get to work with some of the best families I have ever met, and they often become awesome friends after.

I approach family photography a little different. Rather than posing, pretty new outfits, and “cheese!”, I go into your home and simply hang out. Be a fly on the wall. Follow along with your favorite routines. Bath time, breastfeeding, putting together the kid’s latest favorite puzzle; I am there for it all. I give you the opportunity to get out from behind the camera (we know there is always one person never in any of the photos because they are taking them all) and to bond with your family. You don’t get to see how beautiful you are and how awesome you’re doing as often as you should, and I want to give that to you.

I also bring my unique eye. I love playing with light and shadows. I love the little details, the close ups, and the wide angle photos.

Making art from the mundane; that’s what I love to do.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I actually began my photography business in weddings (and still take them from time to time!)

Weddings are beautiful, and I approach them similarly; documentary style.

But I also work full time as an elementary art teacher, and have to be intentional about my time. Weddings, the way I wanted to do them and with how much attention I wanted to give my couples, took a lot of time. I was not able to give my family and work the attention it deserved. So I pivoted.

While I was adjusting, I realized just how much more personal and special to me families were. I love weddings, absolutely. But I didn’t plan to have my own huge wedding, and wasn’t fully attached to them. I do, however, plan to have a family. While it isn’t in the cards for me just yet, it is something I think about all the time. And it is a unique perspective I can bring to the families I serve. The feeling of still wanting a family, and just how special every little thing is.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I feel like I probably have the typical story of starting from nothing and working my way up.

A few years ago I bought an old DSLR from a friend for about $40. I never touched it.

Then, while teaching during COVID, I was looking for an outlet. I picked up that $40 camera from the corner of my office and took a walk. I took a photo of a broken mailbox and everything just clicked from there (pun absolutely intended).

From there, I offered free sessions for a few months. Then one day a stranger asked me how much for a session. That was a HUGE deal. I mean major. I had no clue what to charge (or even if I should) so I said twenty bucks. That session went SO well, and led to more and more. I slowly built up a very, very small amount of cash. Between that and my other job, I was able to invest in some education and a little later, a camera and gear upgrade.

I am very grateful that everything up to this point has been paid for with cash on hand, rather than on credit. It all couldn’t have happened without the support of all my amazing clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elizabethdevoephotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethdevoephotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065097848577

Image Credits
Photo of me by Meg Silva Photography