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

Hi Elena, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I am a photographer and have been supporting myself through my creative work for almost 15 years. My journey began in Cancun, Mexico, where I spent nine years building a photography business from the ground up. At first, it was mainly destination weddings and family portraits on the beach. It wasn’t easy—I didn’t have a roadmap or business background, just my passion, my camera, and an unshakable belief that I could turn this into a sustainable career.

Over time, I learned how to market myself, build client relationships, and price my work in a way that reflected its value. Moving to Alpharetta, Georgia, was a major shift—starting over in a new place without the destination wedding market forced me to pivot and redefine my brand. That’s when I began focusing on personal branding photography and creative prop styling for entrepreneurs, coaches, and professionals. I now help people elevate their visual identity and connect more deeply with their audience through authentic, styled imagery.

The transition to full-time creative income wasn’t instant. There were many late nights, rebrands, and learning curves—especially when switching from one market and client base to another. But those moments were also where I found the most clarity about the kind of work I wanted to do and who I wanted to serve.

Looking back, I think what could’ve sped up the process was having a mentor early on or someone to help me with the business and marketing side of things. Creative talent is one thing, but learning how to package, promote, and price that talent is where the real transformation happens. Today, I also speak at events and mentor other women creatives, because I believe in sharing what I’ve learned to help others move faster on their journey.

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’m Elena Sullivan, a photographer and creative entrepreneur based in Alpharetta, Georgia. I’ve been in the photography industry for over 15 years—nine of those years were spent in Cancun, Mexico, where I focused on destination weddings and lifestyle portraits. That time helped shape my eye for natural light, storytelling, and capturing emotion in a beautiful, intentional way.

Today, my work is split into two main areas. On one side, I specialize in personal branding photography and creative prop styling for solo entrepreneurs, professionals, and creatives. I help my clients show up confidently and consistently in their business by creating cohesive, meaningful imagery that reflects their unique personality and brand. I also photograph wellness professionals like Pilates instructors and sound healers, combining movement, light, and styling to create calming, empowering visuals that speak to their audience.

On the other side, I’m the photography artist behind Elena Photo Art, where I offer fine art photo prints—primarily nature, floral, macro, and underwater photography. These pieces are available in canvas and metal wall art, and each image is created to bring a sense of serenity, focus, or inspiration into living and workspaces. A peaceful underwater scene with rays of light piercing through the ocean or a vibrant macro image of a flower in bloom—these are examples of the work I create to invite viewers to slow down and reconnect with beauty.

What sets me apart is my ability to bridge art and business, offering both strategic branding imagery and soulful fine art. I bring a deep level of personalization into every project—whether it’s curating props for a client’s brand shoot or helping someone choose the perfect art piece for their home or office.

I’m most proud of the way I’ve been able to evolve with my passions—turning creativity into a career that supports me and also uplifts others. I want potential clients and followers to know that when they work with me, they’re getting more than just photos. They’re getting a thoughtful, tailored experience—whether we’re building their brand visuals from scratch or selecting a piece of wall art that reflects who they are.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I first started my photography business, I didn’t have any savings or outside funding—I built everything from scratch. At the time, I was working full-time as a concierge at a hotel in Cancun. That job helped me pay the bills and cover rent while I slowly started taking on photography clients on the side. It was a balancing act, working long hours at the hotel and then spending my free time building my portfolio and learning the craft.

To invest in my first professional camera, I took out a small personal loan. It felt like a big risk at the time, but I knew that if I wanted to take photography seriously and attract the kind of clients I dreamed of working with, I needed the right tools. That first camera was the beginning of everything—it gave me the confidence and quality I needed to start growing.

For the first few years, every bit of profit I made went back into the business—upgrading equipment, building a website, and improving my skills. Eventually, as my client base grew, I was able to quit my hotel job and dedicate myself fully to photography.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe my reputation was built on a foundation of consistently delivering high-quality work and a deep dedication to always growing—both creatively and professionally. From the very beginning, I’ve treated every project, no matter how small, with care and intention.

Clients can sense when you genuinely care—and that’s something you can’t fake. I think that level of commitment to the craft, along with strong attention to detail and personalized service, helped me earn trust and referrals early on.

I’ve also never stopped evolving. I constantly invest in new skills, try new techniques, and stay curious. That growth mindset has allowed me to stay fresh in a competitive industry and offer more to the people I work with.

In short, what’s helped build my reputation is a combination of quality, consistency, connection, and continuous growth—and I stay true to those values every step of the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elenaphotoart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenasullivanphotographer/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenasullivanphotographer
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-sullivan-a12a0384/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElenaSullivanPhotography
• Other: My second website dedicated to Branding, Product photography – https://arsviephotostudio.com/