Meet South East (Kirkwood) Photographer: Stephanie Marie Eley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Marie Eley.

Stephanie Marie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I had always been the kid dragging family and friends out to catch a sunrise photo opportunity. I was put in private art classes at a young age because I was drawing on the walls. I took pride in grade school art courses and when I took my first photography class, something stuck. I was drawn to the product of a photograph. And as I got older I learned to appreciate what it takes to know how to manipulate a camera to produce a specific photographic experience. I went to Old Dominion University to study art. Specifically, graphic design because I was told there is no money in photo. but when I enrolled in a photo class at ODU my junior year I met an alumnus of SCAD who was my professor. She pulled my desire to create photographically back to the surface. I switched my degree to a BFA in photo with minor in printmaking.

Upon graduating, I wanted to move to Atlanta to establish myself as an emerging photographer. So I applied to Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta for the Master’s program and to a Fulton County forensics photo full-time job. I got the job interview and accepted to SCAD… I decided to attend SCAD in 2012. In 2015 I received my MFA. During my time in grad school, I focused on commercial lighting and conceptual conversations around my fine art. Since graduating I have explored the photo industry via teaching in Maine, teaching at GTCC, photo assisting and production assisting locally and shooting for myself. I have been self-employed since the beginning of 2015 juggling multiple roles. I still assist and shoot for myself and create my fine art, as well as a tutor and do website design.

Has it been a smooth road?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have been in association with an older and experienced group of creatives at a young age which has allowed me to filter through some of the do’s and dont’s. However, there are undoubtedly financial hurdles that are a part of the learning curve that I’m still decoding. There have been hiccups over the years- laptop being stolen, external broke with irreplaceable imagery, material costs when exploring new mean’s of expressing your creative vision, affording gear, getting a studio space, building clientele.. the list could go on in terms of hurdles to overcome,but I guess that’s a part of the creative’s journey.

How would you describe the type of kid you were growing up?
Growing up I was always a very curious person. I constantly found myself in trial and error scenarios. I also have always been a leader. For example, I was class president my junior year in high school. I was also an athlete and a girl scout, which helped shape my team building skills. I have always enjoyed laughing and not taking myself too seriously, but have always found myself in roles of leadership. I have always been interested in people and animals. My parents thought for sure I would be a vet or a sports medicine therapist. (And I still think about both of those, but my artistic side was pulling at me more so than the others career interests.) People have told me that I was and still am to a certain extent: loud, funny, tall, sassy, bold, and bubbly growing up.

What is your favorite childhood memory?
I was blessed to have a very nurtured childhood, so I can’t think of one memory that shadows the rest. However, being a family oriented person I always loved Sunday mornings. My parents would be in the kitchen preparing breakfast and my brother and I would wake up to the smell of fresh made biscuits and bacon and of course, the echoing sounds from my father’s wake-up call in the form of a dog bark or a pterodactyl call. This always brought a smile to my face- I was always excited for Sunday breakfast together.

What are your plans for the future?
I am looking forward to continuing to travel as a photographer. This year I have been traveling nationally for small jobs and opportunities, and with the coming year, I would like to expand on this experience hopefully internationally and with commercial clients. I want to pursue connecting to other passionate creatives and larger clientele that welcome my energy and artistic mind. I’m staying optimistic about the opportunities that will come to me within this career path.

Pricing:

• As a client you are paying for the quality of imagery and the experience that the photographer provides you.
• Remember that the day of the shoot is only 1/3rd of the photographers responsibility to creating a successful project
• Every project has a different set of needs and budget should be discussed accordingly with a photographer you can trust in.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stephanieeleyphotography.com
• Phone: 7572390078
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Seephotography
• Facebook: Marie Eley Fine Art
• Other: #eleyphoto