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

Eli, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My hero when it comes to my journey is not just one person. It’s an entire community. The special needs community has changed every aspect of my professional photography career and I could not be more grateful.

When I graduated high school in 2016, I knew I wanted to make a difference in the world through my pictures, but I didn’t know how. That was when I was fortunate enough to land a gig as a head videographer at a special needs summer camp called Camp HASC and I’ve been there for the last seven years. When I came in 2016, the campers would call me “Eli, the camera guy” for the obvious reason. But, when I came back in 2017 and started spending more time learning about who they are, their strengths, challenges, and dreams, they started to see me as more than just a guy with a camera. They started calling me…Eli. Seeing my work as an extension of the person standing behind the lens. That experience ultimately changed the way I see myself, but also the people who I have the honor of photographing.

It showed me that through the power of photography and connection, I am able to form genuine connections with the people in front of my lens, and shine a spotlight on the stories and people that matter most. Making them feel beautiful and seen, just like the special needs community did for me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, my name is Eli Dreyfuss. Your trusted creative partner.

I am an award winning portrait photographer, filmmaker, and creative storyteller based in Orlando, Florida. I harness the power of visual storytelling to bridge the gap between myself, the subject and the viewer. I help foster genuine connections by creating a space that enables people to feel heard and valued. Ultimately, my camera and films bring people together and shine light on the stories that inspire. Bringing to life, my core values:

Compassion, empathy, giving back and the passion to inspire people to feel more connected to themselves and the world around them.

Have you ever had to pivot?

March 2016. It was the week of my spring break. I was headed to Cincinnati, Ohio, to visit family and do a handful of creative projects. My flight was booked for a Sunday morning at 9 a.m. At 3pm the day before the flight, I was packing up my bags and editing some photos I took the previous week, when all the sudden I felt what I thought was a massive “cramp” that went from my back to my chest.

It felt like I had an elephant on my chest, and it was stopping me from breathing even a single deep breath. Trying to relive the pain, I took asthma medicine because I thought it was that. I took pain meds and a hot shower, but the pain still did not go away; it only got worse. After eight hours of agonizing pain, that is when I decided to call 911.

The hole in my lungs was sized at ten percent, and therefore healed on its own. I told the doctors that I had a flight to catch at 9 a.m., but by the time they had detected the tear, it was 7 a.m. I wasn’t going anywhere.

After four days of painful IVs and sleepless nights, I was finally released. When I got home, I realized the miracle that had just happened. If I were to have gotten on that plane, I would have died. The entire experience was one of the scariest I have ever felt, and I am incredibly thankful to even be alive.

After being discharged two long days later, the thought hit me that I should be thankful for the little things, like a deep breath after a long day, or even a short one. I never thought about how much I appreciated it until it was taken away from me. That is when I took it upon myself to start a new photo story that documented my recovery process, but also the excruciating pain I went through just hours before being called in.

In spite of this scary and life-or-death situation, I walked away with a new perspective on my photography and outlook on life. Doing this project made me realize, as photographers, we have the ability to say things with our images that couldn’t be possible with words. Photography since has become my strongest voice. If something is on your mind, shoot it!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My ultimate goal is to use my camera as a vessel for change and shine a light on the things that make us most beautifully human.

I always say, while there are 7.9 billion people in the world, when someone stands in front of my lens, it will feel like they’re the only one. Making each person feel heard, seen, and valued for their unique voice.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elidreyfuss.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elidreyfussstudios/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esdreyfuss
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-dreyfuss-346583204/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/elidreyfussfilm

Image Credits
Photos by: Eli Dreyfuss