We were lucky to catch up with Ella Sophie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ella, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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?

I have been stubbornly making my creative work my full time income since college. During the early years I was more diversified. Offering wedding and event photography, product and portrait photography, tutoring art history and adobe programs, and throwing in the occasional graphic design project. I tried to make a go of the fine art world but the commercial projects sustained me financially and eventually I stopped putting energy into making a living off of my fine art.
The first years were rough. I worked non stop and barely got by. There are definitely some things that would have made the process easier. Learning from others will never fully replace the degree of learning that comes with experience. But I would tell my younger self to focus on building up a group of mentors. And to include other business types into your sphere of influence and support. I learned so much from folks in totally different industries. And getting clear on what kind of work you want to be making. Being intentional with what and where you advertise. I also think that if you are at a point in your life where being completely broke is not feasible, then finding part time work while building your business is a good idea. It will help you be more intentional about what type of creative work you want to do. These days the bulk of my work is strategic, art direction based photography for individuals and brands.

Ella, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an Art Director and Photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. My work is mostly portraits and product photography for things like fine jewelry and skincare. There are a few things that set me apart from other photographers. The main being that I come from a fine art background and offer art direction and strategic ideas for how to best bring the brands to life. Creating the high value and evergreen images that end up being the guide for the brand’s visual aesthetic. A client of mine recently said I am an aesthetic consultant as much as I am a photographer. I love being able to create a full range of images for my clients. Including their product still life images, model shots and founder portraits. Developing a brand’s visual identity is my secret sauce.
In addition to my commercial work I also offer creative commissions. My focus in that area is creating empowering and meaningful portraits. Often the folks who hire me for creative commissions are in a space of growth or change in their lives and I help them express their experience in a visual way that serves as a reminder of their strength and resilience.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best way to support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem is to choose art over instant satisfaction. There is so much pressure to be constantly consuming. Quick and cheap is the driving philosophy of our current economic ecosystem. That needs to change. As a society we need to choose to live by the belief that less is more. That slow is ok if that means the end result will last longer, be more beautiful, and financially support folks in your community rather than a few CEOs and board members/ investors at the top of the food chain. We need to revive our appreciation of hand made and human made work.

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

Creating beauty and positivity in the world is at the core of my creative drive. My mission is in supporting businesses who are focused on quality. Lifting others up has always been a through line for me. Both personally and professionally I’m drawn to situations where I see an opportunity to elevate my client’s visual identity. Staying authentically aligned with my values is what keeps my drive going. Sometimes that can be challenging. Especially when I’m balancing making a living. Over the years I keep coming back to my core beliefs. Creating/supporting work that is high quality, aesthetically pleasing, not wasteful… in essence, strategic and authentic quality over quantity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ellasophiephoto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellasophiephoto/
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/ellasophie/

Image Credits

All images copyright of Ella Sophie