For new followers and those that don’t know me, I’m Ellie, wife, mother of 2 beautiful girls, 1 cheeky pony and 1 utterly gorgeous cocker spaniel. I’m also a professional photographer.
I love blue (can you tell?), wine, gin, good food, 4x4’s, the beach, anything that comes from Fairfax and Favor and all things tweed. I am super loyal and would do anything for my family and friends. Anyone that has met me knows I talk..... a lot! Whether it’s with clients, at the yard, or just bumping into people out and about, I just chat like I’ve known people for years! Baffling when you think I’ve suffered hugely with anxiety over going to places where I don’t know anyone!
I love being outdoors, but I hate being cold, so the amount of business branded clothing I’ve invested in is scary to think of, just so I have lots of layers. Good job as come winter, you will usually find me in a field/ditch/bush somewhere waiting for hounds and horses to photograph.
I change my hair colour a lot, usually myself, but after the lovely Brook Murrells fixed it when it went wrong, it’s taking all my will power to leave it until I can visit her again. Until then, I’m sticking to purple shampoo when I fancy going light blonde/grey, and pink conditioner when I fancy pink - as both wash out without destroying it!
I love learning! I used to say I hated it, but what I actually didn’t like was not knowing it already! I’m always developing new shooting and editing skills and techniques to be able to offer my clients something a bit different. Most have what I've learned has been online courses and YouTube - I did study briefly at college when I was 16 and started a photography degree, but they were more about the art than the technical side that I really wanted to learn. Photography for me is a feeling, a moment to capture. I didn't feel the course fit with my styles I rerouted my efforts.
I first started photographing horses in 1995 when I was 12 with disposable cameras, which cost my parents a fortune developing in hope of finding at least a few decent ones. Turns out, I was pretty good at it even back then, as I won a Blue Peter badge and T-shirt for "Runner Up in the Photographer of the year competition! Who knew that 22 years later I would finally turn my passion into a business?!
I actually used to use the camera as a security blanket against my anxiety. If I had the camera, I had a purpose - a reason to be there. It made me feel like I fit in, and was an ice-breaker when I moved to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and didn't know anyone. I joined the saddle club there and would take my camera down at every opportunity to photograph the horses. It was there I met the huntsman from the Staff College Draghunt, and was invited to come and foot follow one of their meets. I loved it instantly, and as more and more people asked for the photos I took, it rapidly evolved into a part time business.
Fast forward a couple of years and I had a number of regular venues and my part time job at the estate agent was getting in the way of all the orders and enquiries, so in Feb 2019, I took a leap and went full time! My dream had become a reality, and my sole income was from my hobby!
