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

Lillie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

This is a fun question—and one that takes me back to where it all started! While in college, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Thailand with a team of students and faculty from the UNC School of Journalism. We were working on a multimedia project documenting life in the aftermath of the tsunami. Each of us was assigned a unique story to tell, and I was fortunate to follow a young man from a small coastal village who was training to become a divemaster. Through his journey, I was immersed in the local diving community and welcomed into his home with extraordinary warmth. I shared meals with his family, met neighbors and friends, and navigated the experience using my camera as our common language. That’s when I truly realized the power of visual storytelling—how a lens could transcend cultural and linguistic barriers and create genuine human connection. It was a turning point for me, and it shaped the way I approach my role as a storyteller.

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’m a photographer based in Denver, where I live with my adventure-loving, beer-brewing husband and our two spirited daughters. I’m originally from North Carolina, a place that still holds a big piece of my heart and continues to influence the way I see the world.

I studied photojournalism at UNC-Chapel Hill, and after graduation, I set off to travel the world with my best friend and my camera. As I explored new cultures and connected with people across language barriers, I discovered how powerful photography could be—not just as a visual record, but as a way to truly understand and connect with others. My camera became a bridge, and storytelling through images became my passion.

While I was on the road, a friend back home asked if I’d photograph her wedding. At the time, I hadn’t seriously considered wedding photography—it wasn’t the path I thought I’d take—but I said yes. The moment I documented that day, I was hooked. I realized that weddings are more than just events; they’re full, emotional, deeply personal stories. I found myself drawn not to the perfectly posed images, but to the real, raw moments: the quiet nerves, the tearful hugs, the belly laughs. That first wedding changed everything.

Today, I photograph weddings, families, births, and corporate work—including headshots and events. No matter the setting, what drives me is the same: I love working with people and helping them feel seen. I aim to create images that reflect who they really are—not just what they look like, but how they feel in a moment.

What sets my work apart is its honesty. I’m not interested in overly staged perfection. I want to capture the truth in a moment—the connection, the chaos, the quiet, the joy. That’s where the real beauty lives. Whether it’s a child’s spontaneous laughter, a quiet moment between partners, or the powerful first moments of life, I’m there to document the genuine emotion and connections that make each story unique.

What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. Whether it’s a wedding day, a birth, or a cozy in-home session, I’m often invited into some of life’s most intimate moments. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly. My goal is always to create work that feels real, meaningful, and deeply personal.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Community! Looking back, I wish I had discovered the power of a creative community earlier in my journey. The most valuable resource I’ve found is the network of photographers and creatives here in Denver. In the beginning, I often felt isolated and wondered if I was the only one facing certain struggles. But once I connected with others, I realized that many had been through similar challenges. Even better, they were eager to share the solutions that worked for them. Now, we have a tight-knit group of photographers who support one another, offering advice on everything from location scouting and software tips to client management and navigating taxes. It’s an incredible resource that I lean on regularly, and it has made all the difference.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a photographer is when my work helps people truly feel seen. There’s something incredibly powerful about watching someone re-live their wedding day through the images I’ve captured—the raw emotion, the connections, the joy. When a couple or family sees their photos and feels that same rush of love and excitement they experienced in the moment, it’s deeply fulfilling. It’s not just about creating beautiful images, but about capturing the essence of who they are and what they experienced. Knowing that my photos have that kind of impact—that they can transport someone back to the most meaningful moments of their life—is what makes this work so rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lillieelliot.com
• Instagram: @lillieelliot
• Facebook: Lillie Elliot Photography

Image Credits

Profile image: Megan Gielow, https://megangielow.com

All other images: Lillie Elliot Photography