Famed fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh once said, “There's something else that makes a woman interesting, something beyond being young or being old. And I'm going to find out what that something else is.”
Inspired by his work, Highlands Ranch resident Elle Blom of Elle Photography strives to depict her subjects not only as interesting, but as the complex and beautiful women they are. Growing up in South Africa, she was fascinated with photos of relatives in photo albums and on the walls of her childhood home.
Elle studied photography as part of her graphic design degree 20 years ago, mastering pre-digital foundational skills such as shooting on film, dark room development and studio techniques. After university and a 8 year stint in London, a work transfer brought her family to Colorado in 2006. The birth of her oldest child 13 years ago re-sparked her interest in photography, first shooting him, then her friends’ children.
After dabbling in many forms of photography, Blom now specializes in maternity, newborn, and portrait photography. Her specialty and preference is studio work; she enjoys being the master of lighting and mood.
“I have tried almost all the genres of photography over the years. Some I've realized are just not for me," Elle says. "The genres I love most are where I can give someone a great experience. I love making someone, especially highly pregnant mamas-to-be or new moms who’ve had little sleep feel special and pampered.”
Boudoir photography is a unique area of expertise for Blom. She was drawn to it as she entered her forties as a way to re-examine her own self care, body image and rediscover her areas of strength. She found that with so much cultural focus on beauty, and women’s worth bound to their appearance, experiencing the changes that childbirth and age bring can be unsettlingly. Her boudoir sessions are not about taking sexy pictures for someone else. Instead she aims to “create art for women and not for the gaze of others.” Blom wants to spread the notion that “beauty goes beyond having smooth skin, losing 20 pounds or having perfect features. Women are goddesses just as they are and this is a powerful experience.”
Like many creatives, Blom describes herself as fairly introverted and most comfortable behind the camera. Talking about her favorite aspect of her work, Blom says “I can be totally creative and now after 20 years it feels I am finally finding my style that I love. In the photography world you never stop learning. I learn something new every day...attend workshops and professional conferences to keep up with trends and new products to offer my clients.”
Interestingly, Blom highly encourages her clients to print their photos, not just view and display them digitally. She says this “probably stems back to seeing (photos) on the walls of my childhood home growing up. My own home is full of my boys' photos. Studies show that kids grow up with better self-esteem seeing their photos every day. They always make me smile when I pass.” Blom sources beautiful heirloom quality products to offer her clients, and has special access to some of the best printing labs in the world.
When not behind the camera, Blom enjoys vintage shopping, watching movies, and hiking with her two boys and husky.
9news anchor Alexandra Lewis is a Houston,Texas transplant and new mom. Before landing in Denver, Alex covered historic wildfires, police reform, the homelessness and opioid crisis and groundbreaking elections from newsrooms in Houston, TX, Dayton, OH, and Lafayette, LA. When she isn’t delivering the news and caring for a newborn, she is traveling, fostering dogs or decorating for whatever holiday is around the corner.
Inspired to keep her family’s traditional Mexican recipes alive, Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack authors Muy Bueno Cookbook and blog. In addition to the traditional recipes in the cookbook, Yvette’s blog also features her original modern Latin-fusion recipes. You can find Yvette at muybuenocookbook.com
Alex Lewis and Yvettee Marquez-Sharpnack's Clothes Provided by Inspyre Boutique.
Elle Blom's Clothes Provided by April's Unique Boutique.
Yvette and Elle’s hair and makeup by Michaela Carpenter, makeupartistdenver@gmail.com.
