Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Sumpter.
Hi Elizabeth, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always loved to take pictures. Always told that I had the eye. But never felt like I fit the typical photography “look.” You know what I mean by the photographer look right? Petite. Well dressed. Super creative. Quite attractive. And most of all WHITE. That’s what I thought, for a long time. I never saw a black, plus sizes, female photographer before. I knew African Americans did photography, but I never saw them. So, When I went to the illustrious Savannah State University, I started opening my eyes more to a creative culture of African American creatives. Still (kinda) focusing on my math degree, I didn’t put a lot of energy into being creative. Until I meet Kenya T. Now Kenya T, she has the photographer look and she is African American. She is amazing! She allowed me to follower her EVERY where when I came in town. She would give me one of her cameras and tell me to start shooting. I remember is like yesterday. My first event with her was in Decatur, doing the Red Carpet and candids at a Mother’s event in 2015.
At that point, I fell in love with photography. I do a couple more events with Kenya T and then we kind of fell off. I graduated college and then was focused on getting a career. I was always taught that photography is just a hobby and I need a “real” job. So I started teaching. Been in education for five years now. Last year, I woke up with an itch. Like my kids need pictures. Our school needs pictures. We are doing amazing things and we are capturing it on an iPad. Let me invest in myself and buy a camera and take pictures of our day to day life. Once I brought my camera, I was taking it everywhere, all the time. I would go to Downtown Stone Mountain and take pictures of buildings on my lunch break. My passion came back. I was taking pictures at our sporting events, concerts, anything we had at the school, I was there with my camera. My mother is also a triathlete, so automatically, I became her personal photographer. Everywhere she went. I brought my camera. I started getting asked to send this picture out to the masses. I was able to show how no matter where you come from, look like or do, you are beautiful, and worth a picture. When the pandemic hit, I was crushed. Not only can I not see my kids and my mom’s events where being cancelled but I can’t take any pictures either.
So I started investing more into myself. Bought a new camera. Bought some lights. Some reflectors. Bought a back drop. Tripods. And then my friend KCee hit me up. Was like, “Liz, I want you to take pictures for me” I was so nervous. My first solo photoshoot. It’s just me and people. Ok. Cool. Liz. You got this. I get there, and I’m doing it. Like I’ve been doing this for years. Sit like this, move like this. Yes. Girl do it. Shoot is done. I’m excited look at the pictures and I’m absolutely stunned that I was able to create something as amazing as this. And from there it took off. Since then, I’ve done different 52 shoots. Ranging from maternity to Nature to Family.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This has definitely been a bumpy road. As I’ve said before, I’m not your average photographer. I’m quite different look wise. And some people don’t take me as serious as others. I may not have the most expensive camera. I may have just restarted my photography business, but I was once told, it doesn’t matter what type of camera you use, new or old, it’s always about the person behind. And I keep that near and dear to my heart because I haven’t even hit my best yet. There will always be obstacles. But I’m willing to fight to get around them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a photographer. I specialize in showing who you are authentically. Loving yourself flaws and all. What does that mean exactly. I still edit pictures, but only for small adjustments. I believe everyone is beautiful no matter what they believe their flaws are. I want to bring awareness to people. Love who you are, how you are. And everyone deserves at least one picture of themselves unapologetic themselves.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I YouTube a lot. And I shadow people when I can. I got into this group “When Photographers Meet” and we literally meet up and talk about things we have learned, experienced and such. Talking to people and exploring new things allows me to get out my shell and hopefully get my future clients to get out of theirs as well.
Pricing:
- $150 for 1 look and $200 for the event prices.
- 2 hour minimum Shoot – 100$ for 1 look on location
- 3 hour minimum event-150$ for candids
Contact Info:
- Email: JussLizproduxions@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/jusslizproduxions
- Other: https://adobe.ly/30Z6jt6
Image Credits
Daddy Need A Caddy Productions
