Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellie Bush
Hi Ellie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I think I’ve always been a photographer at heart. Growing up, I was quick to notice the “little things” and felt a deep appreciation for beauty. However, my path to becoming a photographer was not what I expected.
I graduated college in 2020 and had no idea what I wanted to do. I applied to a Master’s program in Counseling because mental health was (and still is) something I really care about. After getting accepted into the program, I started nannying on the days I didn’t have class. The mom I nannied for asked if could send her photos of the kids while she was at work. She missed them! Overtime, I saw how much these photos meant to her, and it sparked something in me. I started playing around with portrait mode and Lightroom on my iPhone, getting creative just for fun. But what really struck me was the mundane nature of these photos (i.e. playing in the kitchen, building blocks in the living room, going down the slide in the backyard). I realized then that photography is much more than taking a picture; it’s the documentation of life stages, loving relationships, and true emotion that stands the test of time.
From that point forward, I was hooked. I wanted to document everything, everywhere (and I ultimately dropped out of grad school in 2021). That summer, I moved to Nashville, which is where I got to do many firsts with a “real” camera: family, engagement, and grad photoshoots. Nashville is also where I started an Etsy print shop called “Photos & Feels” – a name derived from my blended interest in psychology and photography—specifically, the interplay between art and emotion. Looking back, there was definitely something in the air in Nashville…it’s where I felt my most creative and inspired.
With the Etsy print shop still up and running, I moved to Austin about a year ago to pursue photography as a freelance business. I’ve loved getting to connect with local photographers who inspire me to expand my skillset. I’m really enjoying where I am now and excited to see where photography takes me next.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been smooth, and I’m not sure anything in life truly is. The pandemic, for one, put a wrench in things…and then dropping out of grad school posed another little roadblock. Part of the reason I care about mental health so deeply is because I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression for years. These conditions sometimes distort how I view my work and abilities, which creates self-doubt that can be pretty difficult to overcome. I’m grateful to have had such a strong support team – professionals, mentors, family members, friends – who have helped me along the way. My faith is also important to me and serves as a daily source of comfort. In general, I take courage in knowing that each day is an opportunity to begin again.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in Lifestyle & Portrait Photography, and over the past year I’ve gotten to second shoot at weddings in and around Austin. People tell me I have a “good eye”, and growing up, I was known as “the artsy friend”. However, something people may not know about me is that I really love to write.
Before moving to Austin, I lived in my parents’ back house for a couple of months and started working on a memoir of sorts. It evolved into a Substack blog series called “Healing on the Go” (coming soon). At its core, Healing on the Go is about being a twenty-something in today’s world and how it can be really strange and hard, yet healing all at the same time. In the past five years (the first half of my twenties), I’ve lived in five cities and experienced some of my loneliest days…but also my most joyful. How can that be? This topic is something I feel very passionate about, and I hope my writing – similar to my photography – can resonate with people and build community that transcends time.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to talk back to my inner critic. She can be mean and distracting, but I’ve learned that I don’t have to listen to her. I think a lot of people (especially creative types) struggle with a loud inner critic, so if you’re reading this and that’s you, you’re not alone.
Another lesson I learned from a fellow photographer was this: Not every photoshoot is going to feel inspiring. Some days, you just have to show up and do the best you can. There will be days when your creativity runs dry, when you didn’t sleep well the night before, when you’d rather lay on the couch; the most important service you can give yourself and your clients is the willingness to produce quality art – free from the expectation that it will be perfect.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elliebushphoto.com/
- Instagram: @Elliebushphotography / @photosandfeels_
