Photographer - Ella Sophie
- Business: Elopements by Ella
- Location: Oakland, California CA
- Experience: 10+ Years
- Photography Types: Commercial Photography - Empowering women owned businesses, Engagements, Weddings
- Profile: Elopements by Ella
- Website: www.elopementsbyella.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
I'm Ella, a visual artist; my medium of choice is photography. When I shot my first wedding, a close friend was having an intimate gathering, they asked me to document their day. I had never thought I'd be a wedding photographer, but fell in love with it.
Based out of Oakland & the San Francisco Bay Area, originally located in the Hudson Valley and NYC. I studied commercial art, and then completed a BFA in Photography from the School of Visual Arts. I've been in fine art exhibitions, and have had my images published in various magazines and publications throughout the US.
I take a fine art approach to my work, so my image delivery is tactile, with prints that can be touched, turned, and cherished. I offer a full range of professional fine art print products. Because I believe your memories are print worthy.
My style is to capture what is happening, how you and your guests feel, without being intrusive or clichéd. The images I create for you will reflect my training in fine art while simultaneously bringing back memories for years to come.
My attitude is to be creative and easygoing while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.
When I'm not capturing the love between my awesome couples you can find me creating commercial photography that empowers women and women owned brands. I also love adventure and to travel!
2. How long have you been shooting weddings? How many weddings have you photographed?
I photographed my first elopement in 2009. Since then I've photographed a curated selection of weddings and elopements each year. I've photographed over 100 weddings and elopements since I started.
3. How would you describe your photography style?
My photography style when it comes to weddings and elopements is documentary mixed with editorial. My primary focus is to create images that capture the feeling and moments of the day. I also include couples and family portraits with a more editorial feel. On the day I stay calm, organized, and easy going - the formal portraits are done quickly and effectively so you don't miss out on all the fun. I'm unobtrusive and there to capture all the things - my past clients have said I'm like a ninja.
My colors are rich and true to life - you won't find any heavy filters in my editing process. Instead I use some of the high end retouching techniques common in my commercial work to give my elopement and wedding images their finishing touches.
4. How well in advance should couples book their wedding photographer?
Couples can book me about 1 year in advance, and I can often accommodate smaller, local elopements with fairly short notice. If the wedding is a destination event and you will need me to cover multiple days of adventures then the more time in advance the better!
5. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?
Because my couples are all doing their own thing my packages are all customized. Almost all of my clients include an heirloom archival photo album along with an engagement photoshoot.
6. Are you the wedding photographer who will be shooting on the wedding day? Who else is there in your team?
For smaller elopements I am a 1 person team. For weddings that are destination or in the bay area but more involved than an elopement I work with my favorite assistant my husband who has been part of the team since day one. And when necessary I bring along another awesome photographer out of my circle of extremely talented and lovely bay area wedding photographer friends.
I will always be the primary photographer and the rest will be decided between myself and my client based on their wedding day.
7. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?
For weddings outside of the Bay Area & wine country I do include travel fees, these can include flights and accommodations for destination packages or a simple mileage add on for weddings within a day's drive.
8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?
Albums come with some packages, and are available as optional ad-ons to any wedding package. My albums are works of art on their own. Each album tells the story of your wedding, and they are made with the highest quality archival fine art papers. I offer a selection of customizable choices, we will work together to make a book that is perfect for you! I also offer a full range of fine art print products, including metal prints and image framing.
9. How long after the wedding will the couple receive the images? How will they be delivered?
Due to the boutique nature of my wedding and elopement services my turnaround time is pretty fast. I’m always excited about the images and try to get to them right away, you can expect images within 3-6 weeks (sometimes sooner).
10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
Cancellations depend on the reason - in 2020 during the pandemic I was able to reschedule all of my couples or refund their deposits. However the general cancellation policy is the the retainer fee is non refundable unless I can rebook the date.
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