Meet Elora Calhoun | Owner and Photographer

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

Hi Elora, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
I’ve asked myself this question more times than I can count. Life has a way of throwing challenges, heartbreak, and disappointment at us—but it’s also full of promise, encouragement, and growth.

When I feel the weight of it all and find myself wondering whether to keep going or give up, I try to remember why I started in the first place.

For me, photography has always been about holding onto memories—especially when they’re all you have left of the people you love. Photos aren’t just pictures; they’re stories that play on a loop in your mind. I’ve lost people unexpectedly—my stepsister, my grandpa, my aunt, my grandma—and those photos are how I keep their stories alive.

When the noise of life feels too loud, I remind myself that what I do matters. The moments I document might become the memories someone holds onto when life changes in an instant.

If you’re struggling with whether to keep going, give yourself permission to change direction. Finding your passion isn’t failure—it’s growth. There’s this “imposter syndrome” that creeps in as a photographer, making you feel like you have to master every niche to make a difference. But that’s not true. You can evolve and shift paths without seeing it as defeat. Sometimes, changing direction is about making room for something even better.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at this for years, know it’s okay to pause. It’s okay to breathe, reflect, and find that spark again. Wherever you land—whether on the same path or a new one—trust that it’s exactly where you’re meant to be.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
If I could make a phone call up to Heaven, my grandma would tell you, “You did good, girl.” That phrase was the biggest compliment from her—words that could light up my whole world. My grandma was my confident and person who I told all of my life secrets too. She knew my struggles, my defeats, and even my wins. I still have the voicemail from my grandma saying these words to me, something I listen to when I need that little peace of mind.

My Aunt Trisha once wrote in a letter of recommendation stating, “Elora is organized, efficient, extremely competent, responsible, and has excellent rapport with people of all ages.” She saw the struggles I faced having my oldest son as a teenager and watched me push past all odds. She was like my second mom.

These two women poured so much love and belief into me, and when I really reflect on it, their support is how I got to where I am today professionally.

Like before, my story hasn’t been the easiest. I’ve doubted myself, and had to overcome loss, rebuild my confidence, and find my voice—not just as a small business owner or photographer but also as a person. I’ve learned that the most meaningful work often comes from the hardest seasons of life.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along my journey is to be yourself—unapologetically. It’s so easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to other photographers or small business owners, but everyone is at a different point in their journey. Some are just starting, others are thriving, and some are in that messy middle, figuring things out as they go.

What I want the world to know about my brand and story is that, wherever you are, trust that your path is your own, and it’s okay to take things at your own pace. Show up with heart, embrace the adventure, and find beauty in the mess. I’m proof that even when the path feels uncertain, every step forward matters—and you’re never as far behind as you might think.

My brand will never be about perfection. To me there is imperfection to perfection, because it limits growth. I want the raw, the real, and the most authentic moments to unfold naturally—where people look back at their photos and say “I remember what you did/said/felt here”. I want my work to be a piece of someone’s story that remind them every chapter holds value, through the good and even through the bad.

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?
One thing that I am always about is Adventure. I love travel and exploring different wonders. I feel this question would really depend on the time of year.

One of my favorite times of year in Arizona is the Tempe Blooms Festival in Downtown Tempe, Arizona. There are so many talented florists putting together some of the most beautiful flower sculptures. You get to walk around interacting with the sculptures, stroll various local storefronts, and even interact with many small business local vendors. It really is one of my favorite experiences to share with people that go beyond the obvious Arizona tourist locations like Sedona, Jerome, and Grand Canyon. To me, these more local adventures really showcase the heart of the state.

I am all about pizza—it’s absolutely one of my favorite foods to eat, and my favorite restaurant is Grimaldi’s, by far. My go-to order is the White Garlic pizza with pepperoni and meatball—it’s seriously something I could probably eat every day and never get tired of it.

When I’m in the mood for brunch, Hash Kitchen is my go-to. They’ve got this fun, laid-back vibe, and their glittery mimosas are just chef’s kiss. There’s something about sipping a sparkly drink topped with cotton candy that just makes you feel a little extra fancy.

But as much as I love pizza, Mexican food is my number one go-to. I could eat Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas every day and still crave more, which is why another one of my favorite spots is Rio Mirage—they just get it right every time. This is definitely a place I’ll always take friends and family to.

I’m definitely that person who plans days around where I want to eat—because, honestly, good food just makes everything better!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My story has been anything but easy, but there are two incredible women in my life who deserve so much credit for where I am today—my Aunt Patricia (who we all called Trisha) and my grandma.

My Aunt Trisha was the original spark behind my passion for photography. She always had her camera in hand at family gatherings. If it wasn’t for her, my siblings and I would have little to no photos of my childhood. When we lost her unexpectedly to cancer in 2022, it hit hard. She never got to see me become the photographer I am now, but I hold onto our last conversation. She told me how much she loved seeing what I did with my photography and encouraged me to get back into it. Because of her, I did exactly that—and here I am, nearly three years later, back, thriving, and putting my soul into it.

My grandma holds a special place in my heart and in my story. Just one day before she passed away in July 2024, I showed her photos from an engagement session I did in Crested Butte, Colorado. told her about how I took photos of the wildflowers out there so we could get them printed and up on her wall to liven up her house since she wasn’t able to go out as much since her stroke. She was so excited, calling my work “beautiful” and saying how “excellent” my photography was. Seeing her light up over my photos is something I’ll always hold onto and use it to continue to motivate me. Her love for my work is something I’ll carry with me forever and I use it to always push me even more to keep going.

These two incredible women in my life, believed in me. Their love and encouragement with forever fuel the reason why I’m still her, doing what I love—and I hope that, in Heaven, my work honors their memory in the best way possible. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Website: https://eloradanenphoto.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EloraDanenPhoto/

Image Credits
Photographer: Elora Calhoun
Website: https://eloradanenphoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eloradanenphoto
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EloraDanenPhoto/