Meet Elijah Payan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elijah Payan.

Elijah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Lines, shapes, and colors, this is how I view the world. Creating is my outlet regardless of the art form, Writing lyrics, making beats, and Photography. I was a bad kid with a pretty rough childhood, so cliche, a minority with issues, go figure, Photography definitely switched up my path and I’m forever thankful for that, and for the people who got me into photography, and also helped me realize my creative potential. Otherwise, I probably would have ended up just another face in the system.

High school is where I was first introduced to photography. My best friend had picked it up and since we used to hang out all the time I just started to gravitate towards photography. I then Purchased my very first camera which was a Nikon D5300, I also bought a fully manual Nifty Fifty! My Very first photo was a Long exposure of the 60 freeway after I saw all those lines of lights and colors I was hooked. I remember that night like it just happened, ill always remember what my Best Friend Tom said to me that night, I had expressed concerns about buying my camera my exact words were “Man…I was really scared about buying this camera because I didn’t think I would be good at this” he then said “don’t even worry about that, if you like it just do it” true wisdom spoken by some 18-year-old kid, haha.

That very moment I knew I could do this forever, and that’s what I’m doing its important to me that I do what I love, and at times its a struggle but when I have that camera in my hands and a subject to shoot my mind is at ease, and it makes that little bit of struggle worthwhile.

There’s just something about capturing a single moment in time that will NEVER will the same, I’m absolutely In love with the idea that I’m able to create memories, not just a “picture” I love telling a story through my visuals. And I think that’s where people get confused because legit anyone can take a “picture” but not just anyone can create a visual story. You have to have the right mindset and be a little crazy, haha. Not everyone gets it, to those who do, I appreciate your love of real art. I’m going to continue to create visuals that bring me joy, and let me express my creativity. My Wife Zhanè is my motivation; she has been a HUGE support through all my struggles with trying to get to where I am today. She even helps with makeup and styling at times.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
With everything, you have ups and downs.

My biggest one was my own-self, sometimes I think we forget truly how powerful the brain is, its a wild organ. Getting into your own head can be dangerous. I basically took a long Hiatus that started in 2015, I Had hit that wall of “what am I even doing? If it hasn’t happened yet, then cut your losses and blend into society” along with that my brother had passed away so unexpectedly it caused a deep spiral of depression, so yeah I stopped shooting my camera just sat in the hallway closet collecting dust for a while. It wasn’t until like late 2017 when I kinda broke from that mode and started to shoot again.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I mainly do freelance work; lately, I’ve been shooting a lot of product photography, but I wouldn’t label myself a specific type of genre, if I had to I would consider myself an editorial/ fashion photographer.

I’m really proud of where I am today with my photography, and how much I’ve grown as an artist/creative. My editing style is unique; I don’t see anyone doing what I do. I basically create HDR portraits, it brings out the true color of skin tones, it also provides crisp photos, and colors pop without being overwhelming.

Do you feel luck has played a role in your life?
I personally don’t believe in luck. I do believe we all do things subconsciously, and that’s what plays as the role of what you call “luck.”

So really its all on you on how the outcome is whether it’s good or bad, and that depends on what you want to do subconsciously.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.eyedeaimages.com
• Phone: 4804956856
• Email: eyedea.images@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyedea.images/

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