Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellie Broedlow.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I jumped into photography without knowing exactly where it would take me. What began as taking pictures for family and friends quickly turned into something I genuinely loved. I started sharing my photography on TikTok, and somehow, those posts began reaching people who wanted me to capture their own special moments. Before I knew it, I was booking sessions and building a real business on the Central Coast.
As I continued photographing couples, families, maternity sessions, seniors, proposals, and intimate weddings, I realized this was something I could actually turn into a career. The thought of pursuing photography full-time was scary, but my excitement and passion for it quickly became bigger than my fears. A few months in, I rebranded my business as Sunbleached Moments—a name that felt much more like me and the direction my work was naturally taking. My photography is warm, nostalgic, and inspired by my love for the California coast.
Today, I’m continuing to grow Sunbleached Moments, refine my style, and take on new opportunities. It all happened much faster than I expected, but taking a chance on photography has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I feel so lucky that people trust me to capture some of the most meaningful moments in their lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every day has brought something new and, at times, challenging. I’m self-taught and only 20 years old, so I definitely don’t have it all figured out. What I will say, though, is that running a business has felt very natural to me, and I genuinely enjoy learning every part of it. Whether I’m navigating the technical side of photography, figuring out pricing, or learning how to serve my clients better, every challenge has pushed me to grow. Even with the challenges, I feel really lucky that the road to becoming a photographer has felt so right for me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Sunbleached Moments is a photography business based in San Luis Obispo on California’s Central Coast—and available anywhere my clients want to take me. I photograph couples, families, maternity sessions, seniors, brands, proposals, and intimate weddings. I strive to create photographs that take people right back to how that season of life felt for them.
What sets Sunbleached Moments apart is that I don’t want every gallery to feel interchangeable. While my work has a consistent sun-soaked and nostalgic style, I approach each session with the people in front of me in mind. I want their personalities, relationships, and current season of life to come through so their photos feel personal to them.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Sunbleached Moments feels completely true to who I am and the work I want to create. I’ve built it around my love for the California coast, nostalgia, and preserving the moments people never want to forget. I offer sessions for both major milestones and the everyday seasons that deserve to be documented, and I’m always open to traveling wherever my clients’ stories take me. At the heart of it all, it’s simply me, my camera, and a genuine passion for capturing every little moment.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to work with me is by submitting an inquiry through my website, sunbleachedmoments.com, or reaching out through social media at @sunbleached.moments. I’m available for couples, families, maternity, seniors, brands, proposals, and intimate weddings, and I’m always open to traveling for the right opportunity.
I also love collaborating with local businesses, brands, vendors, and other creatives on projects that feel aligned with my style. Sharing my work, recommending Sunbleached Moments to someone looking for a photographer, or simply following along and engaging on social media are all meaningful ways to support my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunbleachedmoments.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunbleached.moments/?hl=en#
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunbleachedmoments?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Scotty Hatch (Personal Photo)
