Joynoelle: Campaign + Show Info!

Fashion week is upon us in Minneapolis!

About a month ago, I photographed Joynoelle's campaign for her new line.

You can all see the first collection we did here!

I absolutely LOVE Joy's clothes. She makes beautiful couture ready to wear and custom dresses + bridal wear and it is always stunning!

Speaking of...Joy's fall fashion show is happening on October 1st!

You have 1 WEEK to BUY YOUR TICKETS!!!!

The event is not one to be missed! In fact, there will be an extra special surprise being shown if you attend that I have been scheming for months!

A special thanks to:

Janell Geason - Makeup
Juut - Hair

All of the lovely assistants that helped!

Here is a photo from our fabulous team! Not everyone is pictured here, but a great shoot doesn't happen without an amazing crew, so THANK YOU ALL!

 

LOVEe

Chicago Portraits!

Brandon and I are in the Chicago area this weekend on a shoot!

Of course, we are never shy to be in front of our cameras.

Enjoy!

LOVEe

Who Inspires You? VOTE NOW!

It has continuously been my goal to inspire people. It started with my camera and creating images that would effect people. Then it moved on to mentoring my crew and spread onto the photography industry.

On a daily basis, I get e-mails, comments, Tweets and Facebook postings asking me questions or leaving the nicest notes of encouragement and thank-you's. It's quite a humbling experience, actually, to think that not only have my images made an impact on my clients, but my words and thoughts have also changed people's lives. I truly have THE greatest job ever!

I saw this posting on Rangefinder's Website for a contest they are hosting for Unsung Heroes. They are currently accepting nominations for the search of 5 Photographers across the country who have made an impact and inspired the people around them!

Now, of course I am ultimately and shamelessly asking for your nomination! (I know, who does that?) It is on my to-do-list in the next 5 years to be published in this industry magazine anyways, BUT, this is a perfect opportunity!

However, with that said, I think it is a fantastic opportunity for all and I hope that you take the time to nominate THE photographer who inspires you!

 To nominate your HERO, click HERE!

For all of you who will take the time to send in your nominations, THANK YOU!

eliesa

Film: Some of my Favorite Dudes!

I went back home a few weeks ago, only to see a few of my favorite people!

Who doesn't love an impromptu portrait session in the rain? World, meet my friend Erin. I actually didn't really have a conversation with this kid until this night. We never really spoke in high school, so while drinking beer at the county fair, I was like....WHY are we not friends? Erin is good shit. I mean, he is one of those guys that is hilarious, fun and full of life! And ladies, in real life, he totally looks like Ryan Reynolds! Uh huh, you know what I'm talking about!

Then below we have the Bielefeldt brothers. These two have been my best friends for years and years and I just love them to bits! They have always been there for me, support me in everything I do and are huge fans, but keep it real for me, for sure.

You may recognize Shawn from his previous shoot with me, yeah, he's kind of a big deal!

LOVE>FILM!

eliesa

Film: Grandma!

A few weeks ago, an incredibly awesome person lent me a film camera, that is absolutely amazing by the way, and I totally became re-inspired to photograph some things on 'my list'. I also inspired some spontaneous shoots too! Film photos fire me up because of their authenticity. It is SO real and lovely and it constantly reminds me of why I am a photographer.

The imperfection is what makes it beautiful to me.

I've been meaning to photograph my 90 year old grandmother for a long time. 90 years old. What does that look like? 90 years old. What do you do? 90 years old. What makes you happy?

I can say that at 90 years old, Grandma, as she is known to everyone, is quite the woman. Her favorite past time is entertaining, chatting and playing board games. Taking her photograph was so much fun, because it was definitely the highlight of her day, but it was more than that. It was an opportunity to really document an amazing woman.

LOVE>FILM!

eliesa

Metro Magazine: September Issue!

The newest issue of Metro Magazine is on stands and this month's Self Styled features the lovely Faatemah! This girl is a kick ass hair stylist - the best in North America, actually!

Make sure to check it out, yo!

Have a very happy weekend!

eliesa

Team Photogen Inc!

Ladies and Gentleman, please help me welcome two new assistants to Team Photogen Inc!

We are growing faster than ever here, which meant it was time to bring in some new talent!

Tom and Melissa are two people who have a serious passion for photography and I am very excited to have them as part of our crew!

Here are some super-fun out takes from recent weddings - ENJOY!

 

There will be some seriously BIG announcements coming soon!

eliesa

Monday Jam!

I don't know about you, but I needed a little pick me up / dance party this morning...

Check out Brother Ali - he's the shit and in my opinion, an artist who just keeps on getting better and better.

How can you NOT love this beat?!?!?!

Happy Monday!

eliesa

Grandma Nolan!

Each summer, there is a family reunion. This summer, I was bound and determine to get a fantastic portrait of Grandma Nolan! This is a very strong woman who has such a big heart and spunk for life!

I wanted to shoot film of the family and I was SO excited when the film came back...I nailed it! I absolutely love this image. I think it is classic and it was exactly the portrait I was going for!

And don't you just LOVE film? Each and every time I get film back from Richard Photo Lab, I get all giddy, because it looks SO good! You'd think it's new technology or something!

LOVE>FILM!

eliesa

Film: Pinhole Camera!

Before my last trip to Vancouver, the shutter on my film camera went out; therefore, I had all of this film to shoot and no camera to shoot it with! My good friends Ral and Danelle of RAD Studios took me to their local camera shop, Beau Photo, where they had a slew of film cameras to purchase! I was originally going to get a Holga camera, but I own 3 of them already...and then I saw it...Holga's newest in their line of simple cameras - the panoramic pinhole camera.

This camera is as basic as it gets. No viewfinder, no shutter (really), and no telling how you have exposed correctly or if anything at all is in focus. I. was. in. heaven. Just the anticipation to see how things would turn out was too good to pass up, so I purchased the camera and on I went!

My good friend Bill, with Richard Photo Lab, gave me a call one night asking "Eliesa, what in the HECK did you do with this film?" Here are a few of the results...

LOVE > FILM!

eliesa