Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ella Attaway. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ella, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

As a photographer, appreciation is the most important part of the job. If no one likes your work and how you do it, then you’ve failed as a business owner. Therefore, with each session, I strive to make the customer as happy as possible. Not everyone is happy, especially when I was starting. However, as I began to understand my clients’ preferences, I received more positive feedback and followers in return.
I can’t narrow down all the impactful encounters, but what definitely means the most is when I’m noticed and seen as an equal to other photographers. As a woman, it is challenging to be taken seriously as a successful sports photographer. It’s even harder that I’m still in high school, so many people limit me based on my experience and portfolio. But now and then, one of the guys with a $10k lens and a huge clientele will smile at me and later follow me on Instagram after the game. It makes me feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, and those kinds of things keep me pushing to be the photographer I am today.
One huge way you can support a photographer is by simply reassuring them. Even if you can’t book them, comment, share, like, or repost, it means so much.

Ella, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started my photography page, EllazPix, in April, 2025. It was super ambitious and completely out of the blue. All I had was an Instagram account and an iPhone; no camera, no clients, and absolutely no money to invest. As a junior in high school, it was simply supposed to be a hobby to keep me distracted from schoolwork and a lack of friends. But somehow, I grew quickly. By the end of May, I got my first kit, which included a Canon Rebel T3, three lenses, a tripod, and so much hope. This helped me reach even more people, whom I did completely free shoots for. By the start of senior year, I went to dozens of car meets, parties, and anywhere else people let me bring my camera. My craving for diversity and new things led me to where I’d spend all my free evenings for the rest of the fall: the sidelines.
Pursuing sports photography was NOT something I was intending to do, but I couldn’t go back once I started. I’m an editor for the school yearbook, so I immediately jumped to go to every game once the teacher said we needed coverage. She provided me with so many opportunities and boosted me every step of the way. Without Mrs. Cox, I would not have the full portfolio I have now. I was very happy she let me see what I was capable of, so I was able to boost my business while adding to the yearbook.
At the end of the day, I capture all sorts of different things through my lens. Of course, my favorite field is sports photography, but I’m currently taking over so many “Senior Sunday”s. Another thing I thoroughly enjoy is parties; I love being invited to cover any event. But as a starter, I will cover just about anything people ask me to. I will never turn anyone away.
Something that a lot of people focus on about me is that I’m a sports photographer. It seems everybody expects me to be a wedding photographer or someone who’ll take your family portraits, but truthfully, I love sports. Being in a male-dominated field is a huge obstacle, but it sets me apart from all the men who take pictures next to me on the sidelines. The girls’ teams are so quick to ask for photos and repost my work, because there aren’t many other people who will willingly take pictures of female athletes. I love giving them the confidence they need… along with sick action shots.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The biggest way to bring people in is Instagram. Once you post, one person will repost it on their story, and you have new viewers. Once they see it, they like it, maybe even comment, and if you’re really lucky, they’ll follow you. Then, you get people who see your style and what sets you apart from the others. They start to think, “Well, if my friend got her senior pictures done with Ella, maybe I could too!” After you learn the algorithm and what makes your followers happy, you bring in thousands and thousands of views.
As a student, I’ve learned to tag the people I feature. For example, if I go to a baseball game, I find access to the roster and tag the athletes that I got shots of, based on the numbers on their jerseys. Once they see that they’re featured, they will immediately interact with the post.

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

Something I never considered was the cost of the equipment involved in photography. That sounds really obvious, but as I stated earlier, the business was extremely ambitious. I learned a little too late how expensive lenses are, especially the ones needed for sports. As a broke student, I’ve had so much trouble saving money because of how much this ambition has taken over. But once I started charging athletes and seniors, my savings account started piling up.
A huge plus of still living at home is that I still get good birthday and Christmas gifts. So whenever someone asks, I just ask for upgraded equipment or money for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ellazpix.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: @ellazpix
• Other: TikTok @ellazpix

Image Credits

Meredith Avery https://www.meredithavery.com