Today we’d like to introduce you to Cherlyn Eliza.
Hi Cherlyn, 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 first started out in landscape and adventure photography just for fun. I would take my camera out on every hike and backpacking trip, even down canyons with waterfalls just to be able to capture the fun and adventures I would have with my friends. I loved the balance between telling stories and creating beautiful imagery from the stunning landscapes in California to the southwest desert. As I began to travel to places like New Zealand and the European Alps, I grew a stronger passion for the mountains. Moving back to my home state of Washington, I started to explore more hikes every weekend and got into mountaineering which made me fall in love with alpenglow, that pink pastel color just before sunset. At the same time, I began to photograph couples and graduates and realized how much fun I had with a new type of photography. I soon realized that I could blend both passions of portraits and landscapes by photographing mountain elopements. The first elopement I photographed was at Mount Rainier for a friend of a friend and it was the most amazing time. The love that surrounded the couple was fierce and the joy was seen through every image. Since then, I’ve photographed couples eloping in so many landscapes from the rugged mountains of the American Alps to climbing in the desert, skiing a volcano, or simply just being surrounded by wildflowers. Nature is a great source of inspiration and it’s been such an honor to be the photographer (and sometimes only other person) of a couple’s elopement as the explore the beauty of Washington with me as their guide.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Learning to start my own business has its challenges. I knew it would be tough from the beginning. Hiring a business coach was one of the best investments because she taught me how to market myself and attract ideal clients. I’m still using the same strategies to this day. Having a support system of friends and family who check in and encourage me has been a huge bonus for every time I get imposter syndrome.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an adventure elopement photographer, specializing in hiking and mountain elopements. With over a decade of hiking 200+ trails and thousands of miles on foot in Washington, I understand the nature and variability of the mountains. This is part of the local knowledge and expertise I am able to share with my clients and help them be prepared for their special day. As someone who started out in landscape and adventure photography, I know how to be creative on the fly as conditions often change throughout the day in the mountains. Many of my couples come from out of state, so they rely on me to show them the best views in the state and handle every imaginable lighting conditions due to the shifting weather. And for my in-state couples, they’re usually the ones who want more adventurous elopements, so I’m their gal for everything from hiking to climbing to skiing on their elopement day!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking is hard especially for an introvert like me, but I’ve connected a lot with local people via social media. Being an elopement photographer, I often work along, unlike wedding vendors that all show up together. So it’s been great to be able to talk to other vendors and photographers in the industry and share challenges and information so that we can uplift each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cherlynelizaphoto.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cherlynelizaphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CherlynElizaPhoto/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cherlynelizaphoto
Image Credits
Cherlyn Eliza Photography
