Meet Elijah Owens | Freelance Photographer

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

Hi Elijah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I didn’t initially plan on starting a business since photography started as just a hobby for me. But as I improved, people encouraged me to take it more seriously and try making money from it. I’m blessed to have a strong support system, and with their encouragement, I decided to go all in. Once I started, I quickly realized this was something I wanted to pursue long-term. That’s when I began building my Instagram page, networking with other photographers and athletes, and using social media to build my portfolio and grow my brand.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My photography is all about capturing the emotion, passion, and stories of athletes. What sets me apart is my ability to highlight their passion and hard work into powerful visuals. Whether it’s an action shot on the field or a behind the scenes moment, I strive to create images that resonate and tell a story.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come in such a short time. Seeing my work featured on platforms like Bleacher Report and SportsCenter and having the opportunity to shoot for NBA players and top college programs has been surreal.

Getting to this point wasn’t easy. I faced challenges like balancing school with building my business and breaking into an industry that’s highly competitive. I overcame these challenges by staying persistent, putting in countless hours, and leaning on my support system. Networking and believing in my vision also helped me overcome these obstacles.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned are to stay consistent, embrace opportunities (even if they feel small) and never stop learning. Every shoot is a chance for me to grow and refine my craft.

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?
If my best friend visited LA, I’d plan a week full of amazing photo spots. We’d explore The Broad Museum, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and rooftop views at Perch. In Hollywood, we’d hike to the Hollywood Sign, shoot at The Grove, and capture neon-lit streets.

Midweek, we’d bike along the Santa Monica Pier, photograph skaters at Venice Beach, and catch the sunset at El Matador Beach. We’d also explore murals in the Arts District and lively scenes in Little Tokyo.

For scenic shots, we’d visit Griffith Observatory and the Getty Center, ending with dinner at Nobu Malibu. We’d wrap up at Universal Studios Hollywood for fun, cinematic vibes.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my yearbook teacher Darin Nakakihara aka Mr. N.

Darin was disgnosed with ALS in November 2023, but he uses his social media platform to spread awareness and positivity despite his unfortunate circumstances. He encourages everyone to “Go Find Some Joy” everyday.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osqul

Image Credits
Elijah Owens