Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Graycheck.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey in the creative arts has not been linear. Growing up I always loved art, but was a four-sport athlete and that was my main focus. It wasn’t until my third year at UGA that I started exploring the more creative side of myself, through elective courses. I had a great interest in design, and ended up with a graphic design internship at a local wedding planning company, despite being a Public Relations major. It was there that I fell in love with composition, design principles, color theory, and the events industry. Prior to this internship, I had volunteered on large scale event committees for an organization, and held position in anything from registration to co-chair. The combination of a background in event planning, design, and a love for creating beautiful things landed me several years later with a camera in my hand, and a dream in the other.
I got my camera on a whim(not knowing if anything would come of it). I spent the next few weeks studying an online photography course created by 2 Arizona-based wedding photography educators, and then practiced what I learned on an engagement session for a family member. I founded my LLC 4 weeks later, and shot my first lead wedding(with the mentoring of a trusted wedding photog friend of course) 3 months after truly picking up a camera and going for it. I shot 40+ weddings within my first 9 months, and never looked back. I invested in myself immediately with more courses. I was like a sponge, soaking up every thing I could get in knowledge and experience(and still continue my education even now–most recently with world-renowned luxury wedding photographer Rebecca Yale) I had women mentor me, I asked questions & remained vulnerably teachable. I shot everything– weddings, newborns, families, maternity, minis. Door after door opened, and I continued to walk through them. After that first wedding in February of that year(three months after getting my camera), I shot an associate wedding with a friend at the famous Swan House of Atlanta History Center, which resulted in me being brought on as a lead photographer for DASH Photography, a well-established associate group in Atlanta. So in addition to Elizabeth Graycheck Photography weddings, I still also shoot weddings for DASH. I may be Athens-based, but my main market for weddings is Atlanta and I’m looking towards expanding more into destination weddings.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I struggled with imposter syndrome a lot in the beginning. And still do, like most creative entrepreneurs & particularly photographers. Being your own boss means not getting that validation from an overhead that you can find within someone else’s company. You have to stand on your own two feet and keep moving forward, despite your self-doubt. My biggest regret? Not taking the leap sooner. I toyed with the idea of photography 5 years before I ever took the plunge, and can only imagine how far I’d be now if I had just bet on myself then.
My biggest challenges have been juggling parenthood/family life and building a business. I have not done it gracefully at all, I hit a brick wall in those first couple of years and nearly quit from being burnt out, and burning the candle at both ends. But after a long summer break of not shooting at all, I rallied, decided I really wanted to do this, and hit the ground running–but with a work/life balance in mind that I didn’t have before. Maybe one day, I will actually achieve that work/life balance.
Learning how to run a business was a major learning curve. I wish I had taken more business courses in college– I didn’t have much of a foundation. I had to learn on the fly and still to this day continue to better my systems, client experience etc. So while the art appeared naturally, and my personality was the perfect fit for my career, I’ve worked hard to refine my craft, while learning how to run a business through education and other resources.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in creating elevated, painterly images that tell the unique stories of stylish couples and families. My approach is rooted in timeless artistry, blending fine art direction with authentic moments to craft heirlooms people will treasure for generations.
The EGP Style
My unique style moves seamlessly from soft, ethereal tones that capture the quiet beauty of the early moments— to the vibrant, cinematic energy of the evening. In the first half of the wedding day, I focus on these delicate, intimate moments—the light falling on the bride’s dress as she prepares, the soft exchange of glances between you and your loved ones, and the quiet details that make your celebration unique. Then, as the night sets in & the energy shifts, so does the mood of the images. The transition into the reception feels like an Old Hollywood affair—rich with drama, luxury, and timeless elegance with a party-filled flair. I capture the vibrant energy of the celebration, preserving the lively, joyful atmosphere of your reception in a way that feels both classic and captivating. It’s as if you can hear the music playing, and feel the effervescent energy when experiencing these images.
It’s this graceful evolution—from delicate moments to bold, fun & glamorous images—that ties together the full story of your day. It’s all about balance, making sure every moment, every detail, is captured with intention and care. From the architecture to the smallest accessories, I make sure to highlight the elements that tell your story from every angle, creating imagery that feels both visually engaging and deeply personal.
I am a considered a “hybrid” photographer, meaning I shoot two mediums, digital and analog(film) photography. I love the nostalgic feel of film, but also believe the advanced & swift technology of digital is vital to a wedding day. I’ve always been drawn to the light, ethereal feel of fine art film photography. The soft transition from highlights to shadows, the pastel color rendering. I consider my overall editing style to be bright, colorful, with a fine art film vibe to it. While my focus is currently primarily weddings, I do portraits frequently as well.
The EGP Experience
My focus on storytelling, attention to detail, and a seamless, guided experience ensures your memories are not only captured but celebrated in a way that elevates your entire wedding journey. The magic happens when you’re fully immersed in the celebration—laughing, dancing, and savoring every moment. Through a combination of fun, authentic energy and thoughtful & intentional art-driven direction, we create imagery that feels as lively and meaningful as the day itself. The result? A collection of photographs that capture the heart of your celebration, telling your story in an effortlessly elegant and genuine way. Who wouldn’t want to turn their memories into art while enjoying the moment with their favorite people?
I am a mother of three children, and a wife of almost 10 years. There is a wisdom that comes along with being in this phase of life. I understand how fleeting life is, I understand how quickly moments pass by, I understand what it means to overcome great difficulty and pain in life, and persevere out. This adaptability and ability to overcome is one thing that sets me a part in my industry. So not only is it my images, my unique creative mind, but it’s also that I know how to ride the waves of difficulty with the grace of one who knows what it feels like to overcome. I know how to not give up, and bring beauty out of ashes. Weddings days are rarely smooth-sailing, and you have to be able to juggle a multitude of things: creating art, documenting people’s most precious memories, giving them a beautiful space to experience their day in, working with other vendors, managing people, maintaining professionalism, interacting with guests, all while also moving swiftly through the day no matter what curve ball gets thrown your way. And not showing any sign of distress. And trust me, there is always a curve ball.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I love exploring my art and industry. Styled shoots are a beautiful way to do this, and I love collaborating with vendors on shoots. It’s all about growth. Never stopping, always learning, changing, growing, evolving. You can visit my website https://www.elizabethgraycheckphotography.com/ and reach out there, or find me on instagram @elizabethgraycheckphotography A follow on instagram, and any instagram love is an incredibly helpful way to support me. Instagram is essentially an online portfolio for photographers–the more people see it the better. A lot of my clients intro to my business starts at instagram. And of course, just like other small business owners: word of mouth, referrals and reviews are the support that help keep us in business
I’m launching EGP’s reimagined brand and website at the New Year and would love for you all to check the website out and show love to the social media launch posts!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elizabethgraycheckphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethgraycheckphotography/
