Meet Eileen Ball

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eileen Ball.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My story is fairly simple. During my sophomore year in high school, I took a photography class where we learned the film process, as well as, digital techniques. I fell in love immediately and continued to take as many photography courses as possible until I graduated in 2014. My teacher, Robert Panzer, was an inspiration to all of his students. He pushed us to think creatively and taught us to be reflective of our work. Instead of saying, “you did this wrong.” he would ask, “what could you have done to improve?” He was encouraging and understanding and someone I have always looked up to. At that time in my life, I struggled with my home and family situation and found that photography and being in Mr. Panzer’s class was an escape for me. I could use my camera to express myself; my thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a visual medium. I could tell my story without having to say a word.

After I graduated, I went to Glendale Community College for a year before transferring to the Art Institute of Phoenix. Despite my fears, I wanted to pursue my dream of being a professional photographer. Three years after that, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Digital Photography and graduated with a commercial portfolio and a business, EJ Imagery, LLC. In addition to my commercial work, I have started working on a separate portraiture portfolio of weddings, engagement, seniors, and families.

Please tell us about your art.
I express myself by creating images, using light to bring stories to life. I am doing my best to provide the world with something beautiful. I do it because I love to give people a gift; something I find to be precious. For my personal work, I am documenting memories, creating something that is permanent and can be passed down for generations. For my commercial work, I am helped other’s grow and promote their businesses by providing imagery tailored to their needs. Either way, I am using my skillsets to help others and that brings me joy. Photography in the love of my life and I would like to think that my photos will be cherished long after I am gone. My imprint on the world and the lives around me.

As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
Some people measure success by the amount of money you make. “The more money you make, the happier you will be.” Others say it depends on your career. “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.”

I disagree with both of these statements.

I love what I do, but I have worked very hard to get to where I am. I have invested a lot of time and money into learning my craft and it has not been easy. There have been days when I wanted to give up. There are parts of running a photography business that I really don’t enjoy. However, I continue to push myself to improve and I strive to learn and grow every day. In my opinion, having grit is essential to succeeding as an artist. You have to be able to get up when people criticize you and put you down. You have to be able to see your mistakes and be willing to put in the work to fix them. You have to push yourself when you’re afraid to fail. To me, success isn’t making the most money but doing what makes you happy, even when it frustrates or scares you. Being a successful artist is being able to share your story and making an impact on the world around you, even after struggling with failures or wanting to give up.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work can be viewed online on my website and social media pages. The best way to show support would be to follow me and share my business with others. For me, word of mouth has always been the most powerful tool in generating business and I love hearing about people sharing my work with their family, friends, and colleagues.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ejimagery.com
• Phone: 6236878657
• Email: ejimageryphoto@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ejimageryphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ejimageryphoto/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ejimageryphoto
  

Image Credit:
Tempe Center of the Arts

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