Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Powell.
Hi Kelly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I went to college for illustration and design. While there I couldn’t really see a path forward into a career. I had a friend tell me one night that I w=should take a photography class and I wasn’t really interested. I never had any real interest in photography. But I took a beginner class and fell in love with being in the darkroom. I would spend hours in there developing film and messing with exposures trying to see what I could create. I graduated with a degree in photography and graphic design and immediately started working in the industry. First in portraits and weddings then moving into commercial and editorial work. When I was 23 I got the opportunity to be a photographer for a documentary crew in Sierra Leone, Africa documenting the recovery efforts of the blood diamond wars. We were there for six weeks and that experience changed me. I came back wanting to do more so I took out on my own and created Elements Studio and started working for myself. Since then I have been able to build a business that I am really proud of. We shoot commercial, editorial, portraits, weddings we do it all. I never wanted to limit what Elements Studio was capable of because you never know what incredible opportunity will present itself.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Haha! It has never been a smooth road. I started Elements Studio in February of 2008. I took out a huge bank loan so I knew I had to make this work. I didn’t want to work another job and do photography on the side. I was all in. By the end of 2008 the housing market collapsed and honestly I had no idea what I was going to do. People no longer had expendable income, businesses were no longer investing in themselves. Everyone was in a holding pattern and trying to figure things out. In 2016 I got a phone cal that the building my studio was in was on fire and when I arrived it was clear that I was going to be taking a total loss. Thankfully I had business insurance and was able to recoup most of the things loss but that was also a very stressful time. Then 2020 covid hit and once again the uncertainty of everything put everyone in a holding pattern but we made it through. All of these things were hard at the time but they were great lessons. My hard headedness has allowed me to just keep pushing forward and learn how to pivot when I need to. Working for yourself can be really hard and stressful but also really rewarding when you realize you have more control than you think and turn the curveballs into a new opportunity.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have always been drawn to bold colors, lighting and storytelling. Films have been a love of mine since I was little. They play a huge part in how I shoot. When I got into photography I found a medium that allowed me to shoot in a cinematic way using photographs. I pride myself on being able to tell stories using a mixture or ambient and external light and bold colors. Working for clients or shooting my own art I approach it the same way. I want to engage viewers make them feel like they are a part of something and have them want to know more. I love being able to work with creatives creating scenes and sets that come to life.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My Favorite childhood memory would probably be riding bikes and and running around the neighborhood with my little brother and all of our friends until the street lights would come on. We would play outside for hours exploring and playing tag, hide and go seek and rollerblading around town. I loved growing up in a small community where we were able to be kids and just enjoy being a kid.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elementsbrandhaus.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elementsbrandhaus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElementsStudioPhotography/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elements-brand-haus
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElementsStudio/featured
- Other: https://www.elementsphotostudio.com
