Rising Stars: Meet Elizabeth P

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth P.

Hi Elizabeth, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
So, the truth is, I grew up wanting to be an actress, of all things… that dream existed long before my photographer dream was realized. Though a camera was in my hands from an early age, being a “professional wedding photographer” was something I thought didn’t exist. A girl I barely knew asked me to shoot her wedding in 2006 – at a time that I didn’t even own the proper equipment to shoot a wedding with! So, I took that challenge on, used the little money I made from it to pay off the equipment I purchased for it, and from there, the chord was struck.

It became a fun side gig, paid, but just a fun “side thing” nonetheless. I was still in the mindset of “There’s no way this can be a full time career” – but that was also during a time when I still lived in my very small hometown in the foothill mountains of North Carolina. In late 2007, I visited Kansas City, Missouri and genuinely fell in love with this great city – six months later, I packed up most everything I owned and moved here with no job, and like 2 friends. But, I made it work. Though the initial photography related job I got did not work out, it was for the absolute best. And though I did go on to pursue a near 7-year career in Corporate America… The chord that was struck for me back in 2006 never went away.

After 5ish years in that cubicle job, I knew that couldn’t be my forever. I knew I wanted to be my own boss, do something that lit me up, that I was passionate about. So, I started my research – it was clear that so many other KC based photographers were killing it, so why couldn’t I? I researched everything from business licenses to the best gear at that time, built myself a website, designed everything (my actual background/college degree is Advertising and Graphic Design!). And by December of 2013, I officially opened the doors of Elizabeth Ladean Photography. I attempted most everything at first – posed newborn sessions, families, seniors, couples, weddings… but it was very clear, very fast, my heart was with couples – engagements, weddings, elopements, and anniversaries. By 2015 I was far too busy with photography to keep it up and survive my day job, so in October of that year, I took ELP full time and haven’t looked back since!

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?
It’s been a fairly smooth road! Early on in my career a good friend and mentor gave me an analogy of – “You just need to create a little snowball, and push it down a hill…as it gains momentum, it’ll get bigger and bigger all on it’s own”. She was right. What that snowball looks like, I’m sure, is different for everybody, but for me, it was a lot of hitting the pavement early on, making connections in the industry, and then continuing to always nurture those friendships. It also means showing up and showing up well in my job to my clients and the vendors alike. Treating each of my couples like they are the only one even though there’s typically 25-30 more of them each year – they all deserve my very best, and my attention. And lastly, pushing to always under promise, and over deliver.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I consider myself to be a photographer for joyful, life-loving couples who are absolutely crazy-in-love – nothing beats getting to know a couple who just genuinely and thoroughly LOVE each other and have genuine FUN together. It’s the best thing on the planet to photograph – the only thing that comes close is raw emotion, which thankfully comes out often in front of my camera as well.

I put up a post on my Instagram story recently, seeking help for this question – I figured the best source to find the answers to “what am I known for” and “what sets me apart from others”, would be to ask those who have worked with me, or are working with me now. Pretty much everyone said the same things – one of my past brides used the phrase “You take pictures that look so effortlessly peoplely!” – she and others said the photos I take look true, raw, real, like the real people are being captured as their true selves rather than posed or stiff. A lot of people use the word “candid” to describe my photographic style. A fellow vendor said my social media presence really stands out and she, like my couples is a big fan of my “classic, light and airy style”. And lastly, sweet souls said I made them feel heard/seen/valued throughout our time together (from engagement to wedding). Several commented on my bubbly personality, and my enthusiastic personality. Such sweet compliments!

What am I most proud of? Building this business from the ground up, overcoming a lot (like a whole lot) of anxiety issues and fear, imposter syndrome and self-doubt. Knowing that I created something that others say things like the above about – that’s a huge accomplishment.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I feel like I’m pretty easy on that. A rainy day when I get to stay home and work in my home office… a nice candle burning, coffee. Visiting with friends and chatting ’til we nearly lose our voices. Animals.. all animals, they’re just so happy how can you not be happy around them!? A beautiful wedding day, a sweet couple, feeling like my couples and their friends/families treat ME like a friend/family member. Iced coffee makes me happy too… oh and donuts… definitely donuts.

Pricing:

• Local wedding pricing begins at $3300
• Carolina weddings begin at $3600

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elizabethladean.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/elizabethladean
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/elizabethladeanphotography
• Other: www.pinterest.com/elizabethladean/