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

Hi Elora, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Growing up, I remember that on all of my school field trips or during summer camp, I would always have a disposable camera with me. I never really realized until I got into my teenage years that I had a growing passion for taking photos of people so that I would have those memories forever. Needless to say, these pictures of my childhood are some of my most cherished memories. We moved quite frequently, as my parents were separated, so I often knew that I might never see some of my school friends again. The images I would take with my disposable camera are still, to this day, some of the best memories I have of my childhood. All my adventures and friendships are frozen. Looking at the photos, I remember the adventures and can relieve them, even if it is just a smile for a moment. This influence was the start. On the other hand, my other big influence in pursuing a creative career was my aunt Patricia, who always carried her. Camera around. I remember how she would giggle behind her camera while taking photos. It brought her so much happiness and I never realized why myself until I got into photography. Thanks to her, we have so many pictures of our family gatherings and childhood moments that we would have otherwise would’ve never had. She is the one who gave me my first digital camera, and every moment, every emotion, and every person I ran into, I knew I wanted to capture it all.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
So, funny story, the origins of Elora Danen Photography actually started off with my initials as EDC Photography. I felt that there wasn’t really any meaning to the name behind my business. How could I serve my community when the name of my business didn’t relay the say compassion (silly, I know). I actually decided to change my business name to Elora Danen Photography quite quickly after my business began. The name of my business actually derived partially from the name I grew up with, Elora Danen, which came from the movie Willow. My middle name is actually Danielle, after my uncle Daniel (my nickname from him is ‘Junior’). However, to this day, my mom has always referred to me as Elora Danen, and the name just stuck. It is who I am.

I began my photography journey focused primarily on family portraits and giving back to the military community. The more I dived into photography, the more I realized that I wanted to make an even impact on the community. I began in more traditional weddings and have worked my way into Elopements. I believe that what makes me stand out is my passion for adventure, excitement, planning, and creating experiences that are truly one-of-a-kind. It’s important to me that every individual who walks into my business feels like their story and journey are significant. I want to create an experience that is tailored to each person, making them feel valued and appreciated. The bonus is my ability to create the moment. I truly feel that with photography, skills can go a million miles, but it is the experience we give to people. Each person has a book of how their life began, and I am the person person that will be not just a photographer but an advocate and a friend.

Starting my own business was challenging, to say the least. I faced numerous moments of intense self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and frustration, which made it difficult for me (at first) to keep moving forward. I even reached a point where I had to take some time away from my business, as I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to pick up a camera again. It was a tough journey, but a lot of my life experiences helped me overcome my fears and doubts, and eventually, I found the strength to keep pushing through.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have so many memories of growing up in Colorado that the list might be a mile long! Haha. First, I would take my best friends to the locations I went to growing up: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Estes Park, Garden of the Gods, Glenwood Springs, & Vail. Some specific attractions on our itinerary from the places I went to growing up would be Tiny Town, Casa Bonita, Water World, Fat City, The Argo Mill, Denver Art Museum, Denver Science Museum, and, of course, Skate City. The one place I wish I could take my friends to, but no longer exist is the Westminster Mall. I loved the hot air balloons and wished I could’ve shared the experiences I had there with my friends. The place I would take my friends to, which I have on my bucket list, is The Great Sand Dunes.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

The path to success and fulfilling a dream is never straightforward, and for me, it was no different. My success derives from many influences in my life. While many people helped me along the way, it was my aunt Patricia, whom we fondly called “Trisha,” who first sparked my love for photography. She never left home without a camera in hand. She was my first and truest inspiration, always believing in me and encouraging my creative endeavors. Trisha supported me unconditionally, providing both emotional and practical support, and her guidance was instrumental in setting me on this path. Tragically, she passed away from cervical cancer two weeks after her 53rd birthday in September 2022, and never got to see me succeed. Her loss was a profound blow to our family, but her memory continues to inspire and motivate me every day.

The other significant support during one of the most challenging periods of my life—after my divorce from my older three kids’ dad—came from my current husband, Justin. He stood by me when I needed someone the most, helping me rebuild my confidence and regain my footing. He was always there with a listening ear and comforting words, encouraging me to pursue my passion even when I felt like giving up. Even when my goals and aspirations seem wild, his unwavering support and belief in my potential have been instrumental in my journey.

The last influence is when I lived on a military base in Arizona. As a military family, we encountered numerous experiences and interactions that left a lasting impression. I came to deeply appreciate the sacrifices made by military families for our country and realized the importance of giving back to them in any way possible. This realization fueled my desire to contribute to my community and support those who have given so much. Being a military spouse taught me selflessness and the importance of putting others’ needs before my own. These experiences have shaped me into the person I am today. I’m grateful for the journey that has brought me here and look forward to continuing to give back to my community in any way I can.

 

Website: https://eloradanenphoto.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EloraDanenPhoto

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eloradanen__

Image Credits
Image Credits: Elora Danen Photography, LLC

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