Hello, Iβm Ellen
A Brighton-based photographer specialising in the vibrant hospitality scene, from food and interiors to lifestyle and event photography.
Whether youβre a restaurant launching a new menu, a vineyard releasing your next vintage or anywhere in between, Iβd love to collaborate.
Have a project in mind?
Letβs chat.
Ever since experimenting with my first camera Iβve been in love with taking pictures, playing with and capturing light in all of its beautiful forms. The way the late afternoon sun makes shadows dance across a table, or how an overcast day can soften tones and turn colours a pastel shade β these simply make my heart sing!
For me, photography is also about documenting those split-second moments and making them last many lifetimes - a fleeting glance from a stranger, a drop of condensation on a chilled wine bottle. These moments are full of beautiful realness, which I strive to capture.
MY STYLE
Iβve developed my skills and understanding across a variety of genres by working internationally in multiple photographic mediums. I pride myself on delivering consistently fresh and exciting images and love to work with a wide range of clients in the UK and abroad.
The majority of my work is focused on food, lifestyle and event photography. Heading into the city to shoot a busy new bar, or out to the Sussex countryside to capture a picturesque vineyard makes for varied and fulfilling days!
When Iβm not working with my clients, you can often find me shooting portraits for friends or wandering new towns and cities, camera in hand. I just canβt stop!
HOW I WORK
I like to keep each shoot flexible and relaxed - I find this helps the creativity to flow. Weβll chat about what youβre looking for via email or phone beforehand, or if weβre local and youβd prefer to talk in person, letβs grab a coffee. If creative direction would be helpful, Iβll mock up a mood board for us to talk through.
Most of my wonderful clients are located in Brighton and Hove, which is where Iβm based, but I cover all of Sussex, London and Kent, and Iβm more than happy to travel further afield. As they say, have camera, will travel!
Once we've found a date and time for your shoot, I prepare by getting the measure of the location and our forecast. Iβll make a plan for how best to work with the natural light, looking at elements such as window direction, light and dark areas, and where thereβs shade if weβre going to be outside on a bright sunny day. These preliminary plans help to ensure we get consistently beautiful shots on the day. Then itβs just one final catch up to check everyoneβs happy, and itβs time to get stuck in!
Digital or Film?
My client work is typically shot on digital, as it enables me to reliably deliver consistent results with fast turnaround times. But I do have a soft spot for film photography as well, as I find this intimate and experimental medium fascinating and I often take one of my 35mm or medium format cameras on my travels or when walking around Brighton.
If youβre after that distinctive film look and feel in your images, Iβm always open to exploring options with my clients!
MY STORY
I fell in love with photography in my early teens when I was gifted my first βproperβ camera for Christmas. Ever since then, Iβve been fascinated by light and how to capture it.
In 2014 I decided to pursue my passion and launched my own photography business, and a year later escaped to the southern hemisphere to work and travel. I spent three years in New Zealand and Australia, where I shot fashion editorials, covered New Zealand Fashion Week and worked events and festivals with VICE Australia, and really found my feet as a photographer.
I moved to Brighton in 2018 and was completely charmed by the vibrant hospitality scene, and Iβm now very proud to be working with a wonderful array of restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, breweries and vineyards in the city and across Sussex, and looking forward to expanding further this year!