Life & Work with Ellen Gobeille

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen Gobeille.

Hi Ellen, 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?
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was always creating; painting, drawing, cutting up magazines, taking ceramics classes, playing the violin, and eventually committing to a two-year graphic design program in high school. That passion led me to attend The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where I earned my degree in Graphic Design.

Photography entered my life after graduation during an internship with the Cleveland Browns. I managed the photo drive and was constantly wow-ed by the images the photographers took. Seeing the power of photography planted a seed, though I didn’t realize it at the time.

A year later, at 23, I moved to Chicago with no job and only one friend. I landed my first corporate graphic design position working with alcohol distributors and suppliers. My office was on the 44th floor of the Sears Tower, so fun! But after a few years, I found myself creatively burned out and started looking for something more fulfilling.

That’s when I picked up a camera. On weekends, I would shoot a friend I bartended with using my Canon Rebel T3i. Photography quickly became the creative outlet I had been missing. Four years later, I took a leap of faith and left my design career to pursue photography full-time.

I bartended on weekends to support myself while spending every available weekday building my photography business and learning the ins and outs of both digital and film photography. I eventually upgraded my camera to a Sony a7ii and I photographed anyone and anything I could, constantly looking for opportunities to learn, connect, and create. I offered my services to the hospitality group where I worked and soon became the photographer for all 17 of their restaurants.

Networking became a huge part of my journey. I focused on adding value everywhere I went, and those relationships opened doors I never could have predicted. Through referrals and connections, I began working with brands, athletes, publications, and creatives across a wide range of industries.

Over the years, I’ve photographed content for Chomps, SLAM Magazine, fashion influencers, retailers, restaurants, weddings, and more. In 2019, I achieved a major milestone in my career when I began shooting for the Chicago Bulls and traveling with Tissot, documenting NBA events across the country.

When the pandemic hit, I moved back to Cleveland and started over from scratch. I spent time working with a coffee roaster and a clothing brand while continuing to grow my photography business. Since then, I’ve photographed dozens of weddings, fashion campaigns, live sports, portraits, nightlife / events, and commercial campaigns across a wide range of industries.

For the past three years, I’ve traveled the country with Gatorade, creating portraits of young athletes in youth sports programs nationwide. Most recently, I photographed a campaign for ESPN.

Looking back, my career has never followed a straight path. It’s been built through curiosity, hard work, relationships, and a willingness to take risks. From a graphic designer staring at incredible photos in a football office to photographing campaigns for some of the biggest brands in sports, every step has led me to where I am today.

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 has definitely not been a smooth road. There were countless moments when I questioned myself and wondered if I was making the right decision. I often questioned whether I was good enough and if I could truly hold my own in a sea of incredibly talented creatives. Comparison can be a difficult thing, especially when you’re trying to find your voice and build confidence in your work.

Learning the ins and outs of photography was hard. Even buying a camera was hard.. especially while living in Chicago. For a long time, I couldn’t afford an autofocus lens. I shot everything on a vintage 55mm manual film lens adapted to my Sony a7ii. I made it work with what I had.

Then, after a while, natural light was no longer enough. Learning artificial lighting became the next challenge. And, of course, purchasing lighting equipment was another hurdle. Photography is not a cheap profession. Every step forward seemed to come with a new skill to learn and a new investment to make.

But the biggest challenge wasn’t technical or financial, it was mental.

It required an enormous amount of faith, patience, and persistence. It took years to truly understand the craft and learn the ins and outs of the industry. Progress isn’t always visible when you’re in the middle of it. You can’t simply pick up a camera and start creating meaningful work overnight. Developing an eye, finding your style, building confidence, and creating a career all take time.

Holding onto a dream can be difficult when life is happening around you. There are bills to pay, setbacks to overcome, and moments when giving up feels easier than continuing. Looking back, I’m grateful I kept going. Every challenge, every setback, and every doubt helped shape the photographer I am today.

One foot in front of the other. Stay curious, trust the process, and never give up.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It’s always hard for me to narrow down exactly what I do because creativity has never fit into a single box for me. At my core, I’m a visual storyteller. I’m a photographer, graphic designer, collage artist, art director, and someone who is constantly looking for new ways to create and connect with people.

I’ve designed a house, refinished furniture, built brands, photographed athletes, documented weddings, created campaigns, and collaborated with people from all walks of life. I am hands-on and thrive in collaborative environments. I love meeting people, hearing their stories, and creating work that allows them to see themselves in an authentic way.

What I specialize in is connection. Whether I’m photographing a portrait, directing a campaign, or creating a brand identity, I’m always looking for the human element. I love bringing ideas to life visually, finding unexpected perspectives, and preserving moments that might otherwise be forgotten. My work is rooted in curiosity, observation, and a deep appreciation for people.

What I’m most proud of isn’t any single project or client, it’s my resilience. I’ve continued to bet on myself through so many waves of uncertainty, setbacks, career pivots, and countless moments of self-doubt. I’ve kept creating, kept learning, and kept finding new ways to evolve.

What sets me apart is the way I see the world. I have a strong eye for detail, a natural instinct for storytelling, and a tendency to think outside the box. I bring a unique combination of creativity, adaptability, and genuine human connection to everything I do. More than anything, I care deeply about creating work that feels authentic, memorable, and meaningful.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure where the industry is headed. It feels like there’s something new every day, and it’s exhausting trying to keep up with every trend, platform, and technological shift.

I don’t want to say I don’t care about trends, but I don’t care about trends. I haven’t built my life around following them. I’ve always been more interested in creating something original than chasing what’s popular. In many ways, I consider myself a bit of a purist. The work and life that resonates most with me is timeless, human, and rooted in genuine connection.

One of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is the rapid integration of AI into the creative industry. I can’t stand it. While I understand its value as a tool, I care most about humanity, preserving originality, and taking care of our beautiful planet. I’m hoping for a shift away from this. I’m hoping we slow down. I’m hoping for real in-person experiences, exploration, connection, and work that makes us human beings feel something. Learn something. Explore something. More art on walls instead of screens. More conversations in person instead of through algorithms.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ellengobeille.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellen.gobeille/