Today we’d like to introduce you to Esther Flint.
Hi Esther, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I have had a passion for art as long as I can remember, whether in the form of drawing, painting, crafts, or photography. Growing up homeschooled allowed me to spend hours experimenting with different creative hobbies and to travel often.
My first camera was one of those miniature point-and-shoot ones that created laughably pixelated images, but it was pink, and I loved it. I “upgraded” to a Kodak EasyShare and became obsessed with photographing flowers and road trips. Around freshman year of high school, I decided to tackle the challenge of photographing people—something that seemed terrifying. I fell in love with the process of portrait photography and the level of preparation and styling that goes into it. In 2015 I seriously started pursuing that and started an Instagram account for my photography.
Since then, I graduated from Asbury University with a degree in Art & Design with an emphasis in photography and a minor in Business. My passion for working with small businesses is something that has come from the different jobs I have had during high school through my work today. I merge art and business to create photos that elevate brands, design graphics that artfully promote different businesses, and assist with social media management and marketing. As of 2022, I have gone full time with my business; it has been a momentous challenge and the greatest blessing!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
A prominent challenge for me was the decision to go full-time with freelancing. I think the concept of artists needing to work multiple jobs, with their art being the side gig, was something that stuck with me through watching people I knew. It’s the perfect blend for some but made me doubt my ability to solely do photoshoots and design work as a career. I listened to dozens of podcasts, read blogs, prayed about it, and waited for what felt like the right time. My husband and family have been so supportive of me in this, and that is an exceptional blessing that helped me make the move to full-time. I was also working for a small business that carried products by over 35 local artists, loved the owners, and was hesitant to leave. I could not be more grateful for their support as I left, for my friends, family, and all the people I have met through photo sessions and marketing/design work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a portrait, editorial, and branding photographer and designer who specializes in working with small businesses. My design work ranges from graphic design to social media marketing and management. A special shade of blush pink, coffee, traveling, and plants are some of the things sprinkled across my personal life that are attached to what Esther Ellyn is as well. Two of my favorite clients are a family-run coffee shop and a women-owned clothing boutique that carries the most stylish pieces. I believe in every person and every business that I work with, and nothing could bring me more joy than helping them elevate how they present themselves to others through polished images.
I put hours of work into preparing every photoshoot—location searching, mood boards, outfit selections, sourcing props, messaging clients, editing, and traveling. My mission is to go above and beyond what someone is expecting with their session experience and to deliver images that have a strong personal or business impact. Photoshoots are an opportunity to tell an intentional story, and my goal is show how unique and lovely each story is.
Something I am immensely proud of is PEARL, a gallery exhibit of some of my photo work that dealt with themes of perceived perfection and control within fine art photography. It was a labor-intensive project that not only involved many styled photoshoots but also mat-cutting, printing, mounting, and sourcing and painting second-hand frames. The photographs included in PEARL each hold a background story and are carefully cohesive in color tones and theme. I am grateful to each girl that modeled for me at those photoshoots and embodied the strong beauty and grace I was hoping to portray. Each of the 17 pieces that were displayed are listed on my website, so you can still see a part of PEARL.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I personally believe in providence over luck, and in that sense, it has played an immeasurable part in my life and in my business. I believe everything happens for a reason, and that can be seen in the seemingly insignificant ways the experiences in my life have layered together to bring me to today. I never thought I would be a full-time photographer, or that it was even possible to do. My dream for a long time was to be a fashion designer, and even that element of interest in style and fashion has played into my photo work. I am excited for the current projects I am working on, and even more thrilled for the future creative endeavors to come—whatever they will be. My hope is that I hold everything in life with open hands, as God is the one who has gifted the opportunities and relationships, I have to me.
Contact Info:
- Email: eellynphoto@gmail.com
- Website: www.estherellyn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/estherellyn.photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estherellyn.photo
Image Credits
Esther Ellyn
