Today we’d like to introduce you to Elyse Loiacono.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been a photographer practically my whole life. Even as a kid I was obsessed with looking through our family’s photo albums. My friends all used to (and still do) rely on me to take pictures of events, trips, get togethers and whatever else. It’s just an automatic reaction that Elyse will make sure to take pictures! And I have always been completely thrilled to hold this role. My husband and I relied on IVF in order to bring our son, Christopher, into our family. So as you can imagine, we were pretty broke when he was born. Since we could not afford a photographer, I brought out the “nice camera” that had been collecting dust on the shelf (thank you cell phone cameras) and started playing with the settings. Every time I encountered an issue, I would work on that problem until it was fixed and then moved on to the next thing. I started with using the manual settings, then figured out lighting, worked on making my images less blurry and finally learned how to use editing software. Each time the images seemed to get more professional looking, I became more excited! And it felt so right! Like I was always meant to do this.
Poor Christopher endured many a superhero themed photoshoot! Then when Charlotte (my daughter) came along, Mommy was already a photography nut!
After learning how to use the camera on my own son, I started asking friends if I could practice on their kids. One of my best friends finally encouraged me to offer mini sessions and I was shocked at not only how many people were interested in trusting me with their photos, but how much fun it was. I’m very much a people person. I get that from my dad. Photography was a great way to meet new people and I have built such an amazing community as a result. My clients are seriously the best around.
Another huge aspect is that I am a teacher first and foremost. It’s what I always dreamt of being as a little girl and although it is sometimes one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, what I love most about my job is the kids! Photography is an extension of teaching. Now I get to make kids laugh and smile while also giving their families beautiful memories. And my teaching skills come in handy big time! I have so many tips and tricks that I use in my classroom for working with children and all of those tricks work in photography as well. I like to believe that is what keeps most clients coming back. I love to build a relationship with the kids so they feel like they have made a best friend during our session. Children really flourish when they realize how much you care and respect them. It also allows the parents to relax and enjoy our time together as well. Our sessions are all about creating memories, not just the result at the end. I want those memories to be cherished, not stressful.
Now I live a life where my two passions are intermingled. I get to work with so many amazing families. Almost every one of my clients is a word-of-mouth recommendation and I absolutely love that! My specialties are working with families with younger kids, First birthday sessions, maternity sessions, graduates and life style newborn sessions. I shoot at some incredible locations around Central Florida and am always looking for new fun mini sessions to offer. My Milk n’ Cookie holiday sessions are some of my favorite!!
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?
I have been very fortunate. I’m sure every photographer will say the same, but I have the very best clients around. So yes, it has been everything I never knew I wanted to do and more.
I would say the only bump in the road happened one year during my busiest holiday season. I had miscalculated the atrocious i4 traffic (haven’t we all) and was running late to a session on the other side of town. Luckily the family was one of my students so I was very friendly with them and they were completely understanding. Since I was bouncing from session to session in order to fit many families into my schedule, I was charging my camera battery in the car. I had to park pretty far away and when I finally arrived at the meeting spot, I realized that I had left my battery in the car. I sprinted back, grabbed the battery and tried to make it back across the crosswalk on the same light. Right when I reached the other side, my toe caught the curb and I went sprawling across the pavement. My camera strap snapped and I banged up my knees, hands and elbow pretty badly. Thankfully, my camera landed in the mulch and was saved! My poor student had to see his teacher cry from a boo boo knee though. LOL!
But seriously, if that’s the worst I have experienced, I would consider myself very blessed!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Like I mentioned, I am a teacher. I teach at a Title One school in Seminole County. Being in Title One means that I get the opportunity to work with very diverse families from every walk of life. Not everyone can afford to spend hundreds of dollars on family photos. One of my earliest objectives when starting my company was to keep my prices affordable. It means so much to me that some families who would otherwise not be able to afford a luxury like a photo session, are able to get these cherished memories without breaking the bank.
Working as a teacher in a community that uplifts each other when times are rough and believes in the value of taking care of thy neighbor has also impacted me in my business life. I try as often as possible to give back to the community that supports me. Whether it is donating a photo session to a local high school senior, the school’s PTSA or the Police Department, I make it my mission to give back as often as possible.
When the pandemic hit, my husband and I quickly realized how fortunate we were. We both got to stay home with our two children and we were both able to continue working. Obviously, photography came to a grinding halt. I started sewing masks in an effort to help our first responders, but I kept feeling like we could do more. A photographer I follow in another state posted about the Front Porch Sessions she was doing to help bring a little joy to people’s lives in her neighborhood. The idea was simple. I would travel to a family’s home, maintain a great deal of distance and photograph each family literally on their front porch. Not only did it give families something to look forward to and give them something to remember their time at home together, but as I shared the photos the feeling of community and shared experience was overwhelming and beautifully joining.
My husband and I advertised the sessions for only $25 per session with 100% of the proceeds going to Heart of Florida United Way’s ALICE Recovery Fund. We chose this charity because the ALICE Recovery Fund was established in light of the pandemic and was designed to provide rent, mortgage and utility support to families who had been affected financially by this crisis. It felt like the perfect way to support those whose lives were greatly affected by the pandemic. Thanks to the generosity of 48 families, we were able to donate a little over $1,200 to the ALICE Fund. It wasn’t until about halfway through our Front Porch Project that it hit me just how ironic and beautiful it was that photos of families in their homes was helping to keep families from our community, safely in their homes. Not to mention it gave us something to do every day! We met so many incredible families and built an even stronger community of clients.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Oh boy! Loud? LOL! My friends would call it outgoing, but I know I’m a big personality. I get very excited and love making people feel good about themselves. Sometimes I have to reel myself in, but I like to think my personality type works very well for my two career choices. I’m also very type A in some cases and always have been. As the oldest of four, I was always the one in charge. I have always had, “the teacher voice” which comes in handy now when I’m directing an extended family of 38! I’m also not bashful…at all!! I have no problem talking to strangers and shy has never been a word used to describe me. I could talk to a brick wall if I had to and I’m sure my students could agree that I am rarely lacking of enthusiasm and energy. I also love taking care of people. My family adopted my youngest brother when I was 12 and I was like a second mother to him.
Contact Info:
- Email: elyseannaphotos@gmail.com
- Website: elyseannaphotography.zenfolio.com
- Instagram: @elyseannaphotos
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elyseannaphotos
