Meet Ellie Hofer | elliemariephotography, portrait and couple photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ellie Hofer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ellie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I started photography and took it seriously, it was right before covid hit in 2019. My sister desperately wanted her senior photographs taken in the San Juan Islands in Washington where we had previously vacationed. Like the rest of the family, Nikki, my sister loved it there and wanted that captured in this important moment in her life. Unfortunately, my parents had no way to afford a photographer who could travel up there and I decided to volunteer. I had previously taken three photography classes at my high school and had purchased my own gear. While taking her senior photographs, I just fell in love with the process and with the joy I was able to bring to my sister through these photographs. Soon after I launched my business and began to build my portfolio. My main goal then, and now, was to create images for clients that make them feel beautiful, but also show exactly who they are, authentically.

What should our readers know about your business?
I have had my business for about four years now, but I didn’t start really charging people for photo shoots until about two years ago. My business, and what I stand by when I’m taking photos, is creating images that capture the authentic “you” and for the pictures to feel candid and inspire confidence in my clients. I think something that sets me apart from other people in this field is the way that I try to get to know my clients. I asked for examples of other kinds of photography that they like whether that be poses, angles, locations, or outfits. I want people to bring things to the shoot that make them feel comfortable, even if that means bringing an animal or a prop that shows who they are. I had a really difficult time with my senior photo shoot because I had an awesome time at the actual shoot, but I got back the photos and I just hated them. It was nothing against the actual photos. I just felt so uncomfortable in the photographs. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that my clients feel comfortable so that the anxiety of being in front of a camera is gone, or at the very least, doesn’t come out in photos. I am still a pretty new photographer, but I think that allows me to have a freshness. It hasn’t been easy. I was a college student when I started my business and that meant that a lot of my time had to go to my college work, and I didn’t get to expand my business as much as I had wanted to. I just decided to continue pushing through and have really put a lot of effort into this business now that I’ve been out of college I have some more time on my hands. It has been super exciting to be able to launch a website! The biggest lesson that I’ve learned along the way is just to ask questions and be honest when you don’t understand something. I spent the first year of being a paid photographer. I’m just trying to figure things out on my own, and it was so stressful. When I started asking other photographers for help and guidance when began to book more clients and began to get more interest in my page. Another lesson I learned is don’t get discouraged. It’s really easy to compare yourself to other people and that caused me to stop wanting to do photography for a while I really had to push through that and realize that this is something I love doing and I need to stop caring about how other people are doing versus how I was doing because that was when things stopped being enjoyable and started being just stressful; that was when I stopped wanting to continue. I think what I want people to take away from my page, my brand, my business, whatever you wanna call it, is that I am there to work with you and put you as the number one so that you are paying for something that you absolutely love.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am based in Oregon and have lived here all but one year of my life. Oregon is one of my favorite places, but I would also have to include the Pacific Northwest in that. I would begin by taking them to the beach; the Oregon coast is different from any other coast in the world—at least in my opinion. I used to go to the coast, specifically the Lincoln City/Depoe Bay area, and have so many memories there that I would want to show my friend. My next activity would be to take them up to the mountain. If it was in the winter that would mean skiing, snowboarding or simply sledding depending on her preferences. If it was summer, it’s time to hike! Shellrock Lake is one of my favorite trails—for some reason, it totally reminds me of the woods in the movie Narnia: Prince Caspian. If we had the time, I would love to drive up to Seattle and show that to my friend as well. Most of my time would be going to natural areas like the ones above as well as other places like Multnomah Falls and Bend, OR. The Pacific Northwest is a wonderful place, but I think what really makes it shine is its natural beauty.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe so much of who I am to my mom, Sherry. She has done so much for my sister and me; I can’t even put into words how grateful I am for her. She protected us when we were younger and stuck by our side no matter what. She has always been the biggest supporter of my dreams, no matter what they were. Especially when it comes to elliemariephotography, she has dedicated herself to helping me build my business. She is always reposting my posts, shouting me out on her social media, talking about me to her friends, and promoting me as much as she can. She deserves more than a little credit and so much recognition in my life. As I said, I am so grateful for her not even just for her help in my business, but just for creating who I am today and I would be nowhere close to the person I am today if it wasn’t for her.

Website: https://elliemariephotography-or.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliemariephotography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliemariephoto?paipv=0&eav=AfZ1m6CytxcKySfKv1KA7r_I_4o3SR09n_leiVqfx7M6DAoN7xjr4omH2BNTiSeJ2A0&_rdr

Image Credits
Ellie Marie Photography