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

Eli, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

There are so many photographers who have streamlined their photo process to deliver galleries to clients in half of the time it would normally take. This is a great way to have a quick pipeline of work, and let’s be honest, we love a quick turn around! I’m no exception, I definitely have Amazon Prime (and tend to abuse the same day delivery system, whoops).

Now hear me out, I am not saying that this way of editing is wrong. There are so many photographers who use this method, and they create amazing works of art for their clients! However, something that I am very passionate about in my business is the quality of the work that I deliver. All galleries I complete are fully color graded and retouched without additional fees. I believe every person deserves to have images they could be proud to share, so I always think, “If I were to be on the receiving end of this photo, would I want to hang it on my wall?” or “would I feel excited to show this to someone?” If the answer is no, I start over.

In every gallery, all photos that I deliver are skin retouched with each client’s preference in mind. Every photoshoot, I ask the client if there is any part of them that they don’t want to be retouched. This could be a scar, a birthmark, anything of the sort – but I leave it open ended so that I am not an influence in their decision. I want them to feel most themselves!

With that in mind, I individually retouch all photos. While I use the assistance of presets, they are always adjusted per the photo in the color grading process before being transferred over to another software for further retouching. For every hour that I take photos, there’s about 9-10 hours of additional work that nobody else sees. Is that business smarts? Probably not, but my clients are incredible and they deserve nothing less than the best I can deliver. If that means a few more hours to make it perfect, then so be it! I always warn my newcomers, “It will take time to curate, but it will be worth the wait.”

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 grew up in a small town called Zanesville, Ohio where I spent my time treating 5 acres of property as though it were my own farmland. I planted fruits and veggies in the backyard, and then I dominated the flowerbeds that had been my mom’s to tend to. It was then that she declared that I have a green thumb and that I was better at it than she was (although, between you and I, I’m pretty sure she was just relieved it wasn’t her job anymore). I discovered my love for still art through a 4-H Photography project where you are given a booklet with prompts for you to complete and return to have judged. I remember taking a photo of a rock encircled pond that had Tiger Lily Flowers growing in and around it and being proud to carefully tape it in my book. That photo almost took me to the State Fair, and that was the catalyst for my never ending obsession. Any free chance I had, I was with fellow camera heads where we took turns photographing each other and working on our skill sets. My love never died.

Straight out of high school, I began to work at our local hospital when my plans for joining the military didn’t quite pan out the way I had hoped. I enjoyed caring for the patients that crossed my path, however they weren’t exactly happy to be there (and in a hospital, who can blame them?) and it began to take a toll on me. In 2018 I decided to move to Columbus for a career in Medical Aesthetics while continuing to follow my passion for capturing raw moments that deserve to be remembered. Aesthetics was somewhere that I could both help people feel their best while giving them care and love when they sometimes need it the most, It was like watching real time photoshop! While I still love my time in the Medical Field, I am always drawn back to photography.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that my favorite part of the photo sessions has always been just getting to hang out with these people who suddenly feel like friends I’ve known forever. My main objective for any session is to make it as easy and as comfortable as possible. That means transparent pricing on packages as well as a style guide, location recommendations, Pinterest collaboration (if desired), and I will never turn down a requested outfit check! All photos that are provided in final galleries are also color graded and skin retouched at no additional cost. Photos can be stressful (especially if you really hate being in front of the camera), but I’m here to make sure that it doesn’t have to be!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Word of mouth has been the best source of new clients for me, and let me explain. Social media is definitely involved and I’ve gotten so many amazing Ohio based clients that way! However, word of mouth from previous clients of mine has now allowed me to begin traveling to more cities and states. If I keep this up, I’m going to need more luggage for all of my gear!

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

I had no funds to speak of. I had my editing software, my camera, and enough experience under my belt to feel confident enough to charge a small amount of money for small sessions. I had someone reach out to me who knew I did some small time photos and asked me what I would charge her for her wedding because she really liked the work I had been posting. I had never done a wedding and told her as much, but she was adamant and wanted me to be there with them. She invested in me because she thought I was worth it, and I never have forgotten that. I saved what she had given me, and with more work, I was able to slowly build my inventory and business to where it is now!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elimackphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elimack_photography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16RBs4E8pY/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

Eli Mack Photography