Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Malave.
Hi Elizabeth, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Elizabeth Malave Photography launched in 2020, admist the COVID pandemic. It was a very interesting time.
I studied art and photography in college and graduated with my BS in arts. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after college. If I wanted to own a gallery, manage a gallery, work for a photographer, I was just trying to find my way. It wouldn’t be until 2019 when I met my mentor Jessica Vickers. She educated me on owning a photography business, as well as growing in my faith. For months we worked behind the scenes, creating the website, working on the ins and outs of what owning a photography business looked like. When I launched the business I was so excited and nervous. However, growing up in NY you tend to have a hustle mindset and I kept pushing my business to the back burner as I was working multiple jobs and still soaking in the educational resources of owning and growing a business. It wouldn’t be until I moved to FL in 2022, that I truly grew in my relationship with God and surrendered the business over to him.
Since then, I have seen God move in mighty ways. I’ve transitioned out of shooting brands and into shooting intimate weddings, couples and motherhood. We are now in the works of re-branding EMP, and I am so excited for what’s to come. We will be shifting more into intimate weddings and elopements, mainly focusing on couples. I can’t wait to see where God takes me and this business. He is truly so good.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely been a struggle. I struggled a lot with imposter syndrome and comparison to the point that it became debilitating. It was so hard to show up when I saw other photographers and creatives in places in their business that I wanted to be. But I’ve learned that my calling, my journey is unique to me, and I can not look to others journey, but instead keeping my eyes fixed on the Lord and the places he’s taking this business. I love where I’m at. Im learning so much and expectant for so much as well. When you truly keep your eyes fixed on your path it frees of the insecurities and comparison that tried to hold you back. Instead you become grateful for the slow process, for the way you’re changing and growing. You don’t miss a thing, and you’re not behind, you’re right on time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a intimate wedding and elopement photographer. I’ve traveled to different areas in FL, and NY to shoot engagement sessions, weddings, and adventurous couple sessions. I love LOVE, I love hearing about my clients stories and creating that atmosphere of joy and vulnerability. It truly helps to capture the most raw moments of my
Clients, and I love every minute of it. I also love shooting motherhood, it’s something so special about capturing a mothers love for her children.
I am most proud that I kept going, that I don’t give up but I lean even more into God and his faithfulness. There was a time when I prayed and I asked God if he wanted me to lay the business down, to walk away from something I’ve been striving for, and in that moment I learned that I want all that God has for me. He kept me in this and He has been my
Rock through it. I am most proud of the woman that never gave up and the creative and woman I am becoming.
I believe what sets me apart from others would be the fact that I want to know my
Clients. I want to hear their story, I want to sit and get a cup of coffee or at least for me hot cocoa. I want to know who I am shooting so I can show up for them the way they need it. I love candid moments. When im shooting my clients Id rather capture a billion candid moments then posed ( though I do add some posing of course ) but I truly feel that candid moments tells a beautiful story. Creating that atmosphere for my clients to feel comfortable in front of my lens and lets me in their vulnerable and raw moments truly touches my heart, and hearing their testimonies of their experience fills me with so much gratitude. Being real and being present with them in their moments as well.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My faith. I owe everything to God. The mentor he’s brought into my life along with the many clients I’ve worked with since moving to FL has truly been a blessing and an answered prayer. Staying focused, obedient and consistent has and is helping me grow every day as a creative, and entrepreneur.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elizabethmalave.com/
- Instagram: @elizabethmalavephotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethmalavephotography/
Image Credits
For my photo for the article, with me in a field, the photographers name is @tabfieldsphoto
