Honoring Professional Photographers of the Past: James Van Der Zee

Mr. James Van Der Zee

James Van Der Zee was a famous, African-American photographer born June 29, 1886 in Lenox, Massachusetts. Van Der Zee moved to Harlem, New York where he took small jobs here and there and worked as a darkroom assistant. This would then lead to his learning the fundamentals of photography and then going on to open his own photography studio in Harlem in 1916. 

Marcus Garvey being transported
through Harlem.

Van Der Zee photographed people from all walks of life -from the poor to the many black celebrities who would pass through Harlem. Though most of his work was done indoors, occasionally Van Der Zee would wander out amongst the people of the city to capture the social setting as well. 


In 1969, Van Der Zee's work was featured in an exhibition, Harlem on My Mind, which featured 75,000 of his photographs. He was known for photographing weddings and funerals for families


James Van Der Zee died in 1983. Enjoy our feature of photos taken by James Van Der Zee!!

Introducing Our Photo of The Week!!

For your viewing enjoyment we will bring you a photo of the week each week!! Photographs will be snapped by none other than Ellis himself!! And if you are interested in having a photo shoot done don't hesitate to check us out on our official website: Photography By Ellis or you can contact us by phone (using the contact info at the bottom of this page). In the meantime...

Enjoy the peace, beauty and serenity of our photo of the week:

Another Beautiful Moment in Time....

For now, we'll let the pictures speak for themselves!!

Ellis

A Fabulous High Fashioned Event...To Be Covered by Ellis!

This is an exciting time at Photography & Art by Ellis!! Why?

Because Ellis, photographer AND artist, is covering a very exclusive, high fashion event for the launching of a brand new boutique in downtown St. Louis! The place: Epiphany Boutique! The atmosphere of the boutique: A luxurious, loungy, place where women (and men shopping for their women) can come to shop, host small parties with friends, enjoy wine/champagne (during that party) and browse many unique fashions from designers around the globe!

The launch party for Epiphany Boutique, on April 9, announces one of the most original, exciting, glamorous, fashion-based events to ever hit St. Louis! We're talking red carpet style, media presence, hors d'oeuvres, wine/champagne, eclectic music, special giveaways and more! With so much sparkle surrounding one event, it's only right that a highly talented photographer be in the mix to capture the essence of it. So in comes Photography & Art by Ellis!!


Ellis will be there to capture the owner, the staff, the guests, the spacious loft (which houses Epiphany Boutique) and some of the most stylish looks you can find, all right there at Epiphany Boutique!


We will be sharing some of Ellis' high quality shots from the event shortly down the line. The pictures will not only allow our readers to tap into the magic of the event, but it will reemphasize and magnify the pure quality & versatility of Ellis' work all over again!! 


You'll be able to see such glamorous and professional photographs here on the blog, on our Facebook page and at the Photography & Art by Ellis website.


For more information about Epiphany Boutique, please visit http://www.epiphanyboutique.net or http://www.epiphanyboutiq.blogspot.com. 


Stay tuned into Photography & Art by Ellis for more of what you are guaranteed to find pleasing to the eye and comforting to the soul!! 

Introducing Ellis, Talented Photographer and Artist!!

Ellis; Photographer and Artist

Who is the man behind the camera, the man with such a magnificent eye for beauty?! Better yet, how does art itself fit into his line of work?

For starters, his name is Ellis and of course the arts are a primary love of his!  Anyone who has seen the photographs here, on the website, or on Facebook can attest to the captivating essence of his work! But Ellis is so much more than a photographer who knows how to capture magic in the form of photographs!

Before making a home in the world of photography, Ellis discovered a natural ability and interest in art & painting at an early age. He began painting professionally in the 80s and has done many shows and exhibits since then! This birthed a new love and interest for Ellis, which took him in the direction of shooting “subject matter for paintings.” From there, Ellis began photographing his own artwork!! This was “a step toward having [his] art reproduced into fine art prints.”

As a result of finding this niche for himself, Ellis began exploring “creative photography as an artistic medium of its own.”  In turn, he had acquired much professional camera equipment that he soon “realized could be more fully utilized…”

Artwork by Ellis

To increase his experience and put himself out there in the photography world, Ellis “volunteered as a staff photographer with the Gateway Classic Foundation.” The Gateway Classic Foundation is a non-profit organization designed to help in with educational and charitable opportunities in the St. Louis area! The mission of the organization is to specifically provide financial support in the community by way of sports programs and scholarships!

Ellis’ work with the foundation opened the door for “other shooting opportunities with the St. Louis public schools, corporate clients,” and numerous other events, both large and small.

“Finally as a favor to a friend, I did a small wedding and seemed to really find my niche. So with focused passion, serious study and desire, I now specialize in wedding photography with an emphasis on gorgeous, one of a kind, wedding albums,” says Ellis! While he specializes in weddings, Ellis is still available for all of your photography needs, both large and small…

Artwork by Ellis: 

Artwork by Ellis

Artwork by Ellis

 

Artwork by Ellis

Artwork by Ellis

Artwork by Ellis

"Let me be your photographer, and you just be yourself!"