We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elena Shur. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elena below.

Elena, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission is to empower women entrepreneurs to show up authentically and build successful businesses that let them live a life of their wildest dreams. This mission is deeply meaningful to me because I understand firsthand what it’s like to feel limited by traditional expectations and beliefs around success..

My mom and I immigrated to the states when I was very young. Growing up I often felt like I had to figure things out on my own, and I absorbed a lot of limiting beliefs around what ‘success’ was supposed to look like from my family. I grew up learning that success meant being a doctor, which is how I ended up pursuing a doctorate, even though my passion was always photography. I started shooting professional gigs at 13, but we didn’t have enough resources for me to take the more risky route of entrepreneurship. The doctorate was the safe and financially stable path.

The turning point for me came when I moved from NYC to San Diego and began meeting other women entrepreneurs who were doing things differently. For the first time, I saw women creating their own rules and building businesses on their own terms. I started working closely with many of these women shooting their brand photos as a way to keep myself afloat throughout grad school.

After a ton of trial and error of my own, I decided to invest in a mentor who helped me with business and mindset. She also helped me see that my dream life wasn’t just possible—it was within reach.

Once I graduated, I realized that I wanted to grow my brand photography business and incorporate coaching so that I can help my clients transform their brands and lives even more.

Right now, I’m living the life I used to dream about, and my mission is to help other women realize that they can do the same. I know how hard it is to do it alone, and I don’t think anyone should have to. My mission is all about showing women that their dreams are possible and supporting them every step of the way, so they never have to settle for anything less than what they truly want.

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?

I’m a photographer and mindset transformation coach with a mission to empower women entrepreneurs to build lives and businesses that truly align with their biggest dreams.

In my business, I offer two main services: branding photography and mindset coaching.
My branding photography goes beyond just capturing images; it’s about bringing out my clients’ essence in a way that’s true to them and their brand. I help them with creative direction of their brands and take them through a brand photoshoot planning process that I’ve developed over the years. I want my clients to feel empowered and confident, knowing their brand reflects who they truly are.

I also offer mindset and transformation coaching because I believe that true success and fulfillment start with mindset. I work with clients to break through limiting beliefs, gain clarity, and build a vision that lights them up inside. I encourage my clients to dream even bigger and step out of their comfort zone.

What sets me apart is that I’ve walked this path myself. I understand the challenges, especially the ones we sometimes don’t even realize we’re carrying, like those deep-rooted beliefs about what’s possible for us. I’m proud to be a coach and photographer who truly sees the potential in my clients and is committed to helping them unlock it. My clients know they can show up fully as themselves with me, and I’ll guide them in creating the life and business they truly want, with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.

For anyone considering working with me, I want them to know that my brand is all about possibility, empowerment, and transformation. My work isn’t just about taking photos or offering advice; it’s about creating experiences that help women level up, feel seen, and step into their true potential. I’m here to support, guide, and cheer them on as they break free from limitations and make their dreams a reality.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and a creative is seeing the transformation in my clients as they connect with their true essence and step into their full potential. There’s something magical about capturing someone’s authentic self on camera or helping them unlock a mindset shift that brings clarity and confidence. When a client looks at a photo and sees not just a polished image, but a reflection of who they really are—strong, capable, and aligned with their purpose—that’s deeply fulfilling.

Also, many of my clients have a mission to make the world a better place in one way or another. The authenticity captured through my photography is magnetic, attracting my clients’ ideal clients to them. So my work allows them to share their message and reach more people which creates a beautiful ripple effect of positive impact.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been rooted in genuine connection and building relationships. Networking and word-of-mouth referrals have been instrumental, and I believe that’s because my approach goes beyond just providing a service—I genuinely care about my clients and want them to succeed in every way. They know I’m in their corner, cheering them on.

I think people can sense that my commitment to their vision is real. I see myself not just as a photographer or coach, but as a cheerleader for each client’s success. I’m there to celebrate their wins, help them see their potential, and support them in overcoming obstacles. When people feel seen and supported, they’re more likely to share their experience and recommend my work to others, which creates an authentic ripple effect of love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elenashurphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elena.shur/