Meet Steve Ela | Product Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Steve Ela and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steve, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have loved photography since high school, and in recent years have rediscovered it.

I really enjoy looking at subjects from different angles, and very close up as well (Macro Photography).
My responsibilities prevent a lot of travel, so I look closer to home for opportunities.
I started shooting objects around the home, and found a great deal of satisfaction in the results.
That led me to Product Photography. It is something I can do in my home, on my schedule, and take the time to do it right (unlike waiting for a sunset!)

Since it is something I enjoy, it made sense to learn more about it, and make some small investment in equipment.
That’s when I decided, this would be my ‘Retirement Job’. Something I want to do, and can earn enough to upgrade my camera gear form time to time.
If I can help another business to shine on social media or in a catalog, that makes it all worth it to me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As I thought about starting my business. I began noticing how others run their own. How they treat customers, employees and vendors. I learned quite a bit, most of it good, some of it not. I decided to focus on local small business, supporting each other and expanding the community.
If a client is interested in my services, I will find a way to make that relationship happen. If cost is a blocker, we can talk barter. If timing is a concern, I’ll do what ever I can to accommodate.
I know they have their own struggles, and if I can take away one worry, then I have helped someone in need.
And that feels good.
In the end, it’s about building trust, a business relationship, and moving forward together.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I live in Woodstock, I would start there. Dinner at Salt in historic downtown, then over to Mad Life for some live music. For a more grand tour of Atlanta, it would be the Aquarium, then to the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern for an awesome show.
For the more outdoorsy types, Gibbs gardens is perfect this time of year for the spring flowers.
There are plenty of waterfalls in north Georgia for hikes and picnics, and local Kennesaw mountain for something a bit closer.
We have some ‘vintage’ cinemas nearby, that will often show classic movies, and plenty of comedy clubs all around.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Long before any thoughts of a business, my photographer friends Sean, Bill and Joey rekindled my enthusiasm for the art, helping me get to where I am. In the very early stages of deciding to start WhisperOne Photography, I posted to ‘I Heart Woodstock’, a local small business Facebook group. The support from the members was fantastic and encouraged me to dive in.
My wife Diane has been my greatest cheerleader along the way. Often questioning, but always supporting me.
Without any one piece of this puzzle, I doubt I would be where I am.

Website: photos.WhisperOne.com

Instagram: WhisperOnePhotography

Facebook: @WhisperOne

Other: Email: photos@WhisperOne.com