Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Leitzke.
Hi Elizabeth, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I fell in love with photography when I was a young girl. I remember my mom got a “real” camera (meaning not a point-and-shoot). I loved taking it and photographing anything and everything. In high school, I joined the yearbook staff, so I could go out and take photos and hopefully get to see them in that year’s book. After high school, I attended the University of Miami and earned a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communications. Right out of college, I needed a job and started working in a doctor’s office. As time went on, I continued in the healthcare field, and photography became something I did in my spare time. Fast forward to 2017, when my daughter was born. I became a stay a home mom and had the opportunity to go out and take photographs more often. I would strap my daughter in her stroller, and off we would go, “picturing,” as she would call it, once she was old enough. I lived in South Florida then and had a lot of opportunities to photograph wildlife. That is where my love for nature photography blossomed. In 2020, my husband passed away unexpectedly, so my daughter and I moved back to the Jacksonville area. At first, photography served as a way to distract myself from the grief, but after some of the fog lifted, I realized that this was my chance to pursue photography as a career. I found a mentor named John. He is a highly talented wildlife photographer who took a chance on a stranger. He was so kind, and I credit him for helping me get to where I am today.
As I moved forward, I began exploring other kinds of photography, including macro photography. I bought a macro lens, started playing around with it, and found that I excelled at macro photography. Slowly, I began to develop a style. Knowing I needed to put myself out there, I started signing up for local art markets and looking for places to sell my work. I met Diana, who so graciously accepted my work in her store. Sadly, it is no longer open, but that opportunity helped me grow tremendously. It put me into the community with other wonderful artists and creators. As for now, I have my work going into another local gallery in February and my first art exhibition in April. I am excited to see where it will lead! I have no idea where this journey will take me, but I will keep on creating and trusting the process.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
I have had struggles along the way! I have had my work not sell. I have had exhibitions and shows not accept my work. I had had times when I wanted to try something new and couldn’t because I didn’t have the right gear and couldn’t afford it. It is easy to get down on yourself and take it personally when those things happen. So when these things happen, I work hard to see if I can reframe my photos and present them differently to help them sell, or I try to review works I submitted to see how I could have done it differently, to redirect my focus away from self-doubt. Don’t get me wrong, it is not always easy, and I only sometimes succeed. In those times, I give myself some space to have a little self-pity but then work on moving toward a solution. Having a great tribe helps too! So sometimes, when I need a little boost to get me going, I reach out to my tribe, and someone is always there to help lift me back up.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with what you do?
I am a fine art photographer. I would say that I specialize in macro photography and have come to create a style of photographing flowers (and other objects) on a black background. I have a minimalist style in all my photography and love photographing the details. I am most proud of my growth over the past few years. I see a difference in the work I did a few years ago versus the work I have done recently. Regarding what sets me apart from others; being me is what sets me apart. My personality, my experiences, my eye, and things like that make me different from someone who may have work similar to mine. Our work will always be different because we bring in different elements from our lives when we approach photography.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have been fortunate to have much support from people around me! I have not been traveling this road alone. Let’s start with my mom, Anna. She has always supported me in my endeavors. She is my sounding board and creative assistant; she has trekked on trails with me, talked to me on the phone while photographing, and so much more! She has learned more about photography than she probably cared to. She is the one I go to when I need to ask an opinion, and she is always there to answer, even when she’s tired and probably doesn’t care that much!
My daughter, Alex, is a huge driving force. She is my little bird spotter, shadow, and helper! She runs into the house to tell me about the birds outside. She will go on adventures with me and even take her little camera. Watching her develop a love for taking pictures (even if it’s only for now) is a great inspiration to keep going!
The rest of my family as well! They have done everything from showing up to markets to purchasing photos, helping me on shoots, providing support and encouragement, and reminding me that I am actually doing this!
John Ruggeri, who I consider a mentor. He took a chance on a stranger who reached out to him on social media. He gave me the courage to get out of “auto” on my camera. He talked me through his process on a shoot to help me learn. He has always offered encouragement and advice. Without his help, I may not have had the courage to get out there and photograph seriously.
Diana Suissa accepted my work into her store. She believed in me enough to not only put my work in her store but also put it up on her gallery wall. She always offered encouragement. She made suggestions as to what to photograph to help me have success. Mostly, having me in her store introduced me to my newfound friends and fellow creatives.
Carolyn Veros, who is always willing to share an event she heard about, lend a tent (because I broke mine), give great support, and is always there with positivity and cheers and lets me gripe to her when I need to vent.
To any person who supports me on social media, everyone who has ever purchased anything from me, I appreciate you! Without these people, I have no idea where I would be today, but I wouldn’t be here filling out these interview questions! Thank You!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eaphotography.art
- Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/e.a.photographystudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eaphoto683
Image Credits
Elizabeth Leitzke
