Today we’d like to introduce you to Ella Miller.
Hi Ella, 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?
My creative journey started in a small town in Minnesota. From a very young age, I had an intense desire to create – whether it was painting, drawing, or sculpting, I loved bringing things to life. I eventually fell in love with professional photography through my mom, who was a professional photographer herself. The summer before my senior year of high school, I started offering free and cheap sessions just to learn the craft, and I completely fell in love with the art of preserving a season of someone’s life.
For years, photography was a passion I grew alongside my life as a college athlete, playing volleyball first at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and later transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where I graduated with a marketing degree. After spending my entire life in the Midwest, I made the massive leap to relocate to Colorado to grow my business full-time after getting married to my now husband! Moving to the mountains has been a lifelong dream, and building Ella Rae Photo here has allowed me to blend my deep love for the outdoors with my passion for capturing honest human connection.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely been an adventure with its fair share of learning curves! One of the biggest transitions was closing out my chapter as a competitive college athlete and shifting all of that discipline and energy into being a full-time business owner and entrepreneur.
Moving my entire life and business from the Midwest to Colorado was another beautiful, but massive, hurdle. Starting over in a completely new market means putting yourself out there from scratch, building a new community, discovering new locations, and learning how to connect with couples in a brand-new area. It takes a lot of faith and grit to move away from everything familiar, but navigating those changes has only made me more intentional about how I run my business and how I show up for my clients.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a wedding and couples photographer and super 8 videographer specializing in a style where editorial meets documentary! My work is heavily inspired by nostalgia, textures, and using both digital and film formats to capture moments exactly as they are!
I think what sets me apart is that while I absolutely love the raw art of photography and the beautiful aesthetics of film, my true passion is the people. I am not just a vendor showing up with a camera; I am there to hear my couple’s stories and get to know them on a deep level. My core business values are rooted in faith, relationships, kindness, and authenticity. No wedding is “just another wedding” to me! I am most proud of creating an experience where my couples feel entirely seen, cared for, and confident, allowing their genuine joy and connection to shine through naturally in front of the lens.
How do you think about happiness?
First and foremost, my greatest joy, hope, and peace come from my relationship with Jesus. Knowing His unconditional love fuels everything I do and gives me a purpose that goes far beyond my business.
Beyond that, I am happiest when I am surrounded by the people I love, being outdoors, and romanticizing the simple things in life. Being newly married has also been so so sweet. Getting to do life with my best friend is the best things ever – and he supports me so well! A good morning walk, finding a local coffee shop for a sweet cream latte, listening to good music, catching a mountain sunset, or spending a day hiking are the things that fill my cup. I thrive on genuine human connection, so getting to sit down with a friend (or even a new client) and just talk about life is what truly brings me happiness!
Pricing:
- Collections start at $5,000!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ellaraephoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellaraephoto_/
