Elevate Photography: Taking Denver’s photography scene to new heights
If you follow my blog, you know that from time to time I like to introduce you to a business owner that I really admire. Being a part of the wedding industry here in Colorado and Arizona, I’ve been very fortunate to have met some really wonderful people. Most recently, I’ve gotten to know McCory James, owner and founder of Denver’s Elevate Photography. McCory leads a team of wildly talented photographers and videographers to cover not only weddings, but families, seniors, and corporate clients.
I interviewed McCory on his business and what he wants his clients to remember his photographs for.
1. [Ryan] I read that you have a background in web design, what prompted you to go into photography full time and start the business?
[McCory] I fell in love with the power of photography to capture a moment and tell a story. I also liked the idea of being able to master a craft instead of being in a career (like web design) where things are constantly changing. Capturing an amazing photograph can be appreciated forever, while we will all forget what a website looked like not long after everyone has moved on to the next one. I always knew that I wanted to start my own business (my dad was an entrepreneur and owned multiple businesses) so I could have full control of the quality of the products and/or services I was providing. Photography ended up being the perfect way for me to do that.
2. When shooting, where do you draw your inspiration from? Do members of your team have different styles?
My business tagline used to be “Making people wish they were there”. I think that has always been my inspiration to create images that make people wish they were seeing or experiencing that place or occasion for themselves. If they actually were there, I wanted them to look back on things fondly because of the beauty and joy I was able to capture. My team members do have slightly different styles. We work really hard to create consistency as a studio while still allowing all of our photographers to express themselves creatively.
3. You have been in the photography business for a long time now, how have photography styles/trends changed (or not changed!) over the years?
Obviously the biggest has been the transition from film to digital. With digital, initially you saw everyone doing things that were much harder with film (like selective coloring). I’ve also seen trends go towards black and white photography and away from it and back to it again. The biggest trend lately has been taking digital photography and making it look like film. There is a nostalgia for the past that will never totally go away.
4. If there is one thing you want people to remember your photographs for, what would it be?
That they made people’s lives better and brought smiles to people’s faces. I want the people that I am photographing to remember the experience of making the photograph as fondly as the picture itself. My hope is that families looking back on their wedding photos 50 years from now will have great memories of not only the pictures but the passion that went into making them. My mission’s photography is also very important to me because I get to interact with all kinds of amazing people around the world. It has the ability to have a direct impact by helping raise awareness and funds for the various organizations I am shooting for.
Contact information: Elevate Photography
Would you like to get in touch with Elevate Photography and learn more? Here’s a link to their website.
And here is all of their press over the years, it’s quite a list!
Phone: 303.744.6700
Email: [email protected]
Studio Address:
3601 S. Huron St., Suite A
Englewood, CO 80110
And when you’re ready for a wedding suit or tuxedo, here’s how to choose the right one for you.
