We were lucky to catch up with Ely Roberts recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ely, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been 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? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I started my business in 2008 which was not a good year so it was a slow start for me to build clients based on Craigslist and word-of-mouth.
Since then I have built a six-figure income based on SEO (search engine, optimization) Marketing, and networking. I provide services for weddings, elopements families, Headshots, and magazine work. In addition, I run two YouTube channels that review gear and give tips on everything from photography to outdoor and lifestyle. I am also an Amazon influencer for video content reviews.
If I were to start over, which I actually have done with several other businesses, I start with search engine optimization marketing and then I go from there. your new business I recommend learning how to create searchable content via Google or hiring someone in the SEO field that you trust.
Ely, 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?
My name is Ely (Eli) Roberts and I’m the best at being me.
I photograph people and get to know them in the process to help better serve them. I’ve worked in the service industry for a long time from law enforcement to serving coffee, driving limousines, bartending, serving as well as countless other jobs. I’ve had jobs like door-to-door sales amongst other things from construction to being a clown to Insurance fraud surveillance, one thing that has made me is my upbringing my work experience, and knowing that the customer always comes first.
My love for photography started in 2004 in Kenya Africa, where I was serving the people there and photographing with my first digital camera. Since then, I have been obsessed with Photography and Video, and have used my skills to pay for my equipment and all of my living expenses for me and my family. I love that. I get to use Photography as an income since it is one of my biggest obsessions and brings me great joy. Photography is such an individualistic skill. Everyone will vary on how they shoot at it and deal with their clients, there’s always an industry for different types of individuals.
I focus on outdoor photography in the mountains or adventuring somewhere fun either hiking or just smelling some fresh mountain air.
You can see my work at elyroberts.com BendOregonEloement.com or follow me on IG @elyseyes @bendoregonelopement @oregongearguy and watch my videos on YouTube @thephotographerguy
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Yes. youtube @thePhotographerGuy
Work hard and serve people and they will refer you.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I moved from California to Oregon in 2015 so I had to become an expert in the area so I could showcase where and when someone might want to get married or have family photos or have Engagement Photos taken.
Proving that you’re an expert in your industry and location is huge whether you do that on your website or through social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elyroberts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elyseyes/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqS3jrFc8ptFl2OZmAfoq2w
