Pole, Passion, and Photography: The Origins of ElleCatraz Photography
Hi, and welcome to my new website for ElleCatraz Photography! After seven years running, it seemed like the perfect time to launch an official website…
This blog post is a little introduction about me and how ElleCatraz Photography came to be. So, here we go!
My name is Elle, and I’m the photographer behind the lens of ElleCatraz Photography. I’m a photographer, pole dancer, instructor, fitness enthusiast, and a total goofball. My journey into photography began when I was just a kid. My grandfather, an amazing amateur photographer, carried his camera and rolls of film everywhere he went, you almost couldn’t recognize him without a camera in front of his face! I wanted to be just like him, so whenever I was lucky enough to receive a disposable point-and-shoot camera for birthdays or Christmas, I’d carefully line up my shots, making sure (most of the time) not to get my thumbs in the frame. Photography always felt like it was in my blood.
As I grew older, film photography gave way to digital, and it was love at first click! I started borrowing my stepdad’s top-of-the-line 2-megapixel digital camera and went wild—it quickly became my favorite toy. Seeing how passionate I was becoming, my Mum worked hard to save up, and bought me my first DSLR when I was 17.
I began studying photography formally in high school and later took it to higher learning, earning an Associate Diploma in Contemporary Photography and another in Fine Arts, majoring in photography from the Design & Arts College of Canterbury. After graduation, I hit a creative wall and put my camera away, feeling burnt out and uninspired. It felt like my brain had been drained of ideas.
Fast forward a few years, and I discovered pole dancing. This new passion brought joy and confidence into my life. Learning a new skill and embracing fitness transformed my mental well-being. But I didn’t start photographing right away—it took me four years to build the courage to put myself out there.
At the four-year mark in my pole journey, I was proud of my progress and wanted photos to document it. Unfortunately, photoshoot opportunities at the studio were rare—I’d only managed to attend two in all that time. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands, quite literally! I told myself I could probably take some semi-decent photos and, if nothing else, sneak into my own shoots to document my journey.
To my surprise, there was real interest in my work. I invested in some affordable lights and began taking on clients. People seemed to like what I did, and although I now cringe at my early photos, I’m forever grateful to those first clients for giving me a chance to grow.
Over time, I upgraded my gear, invested in a stage pole, and steadily honed my craft. With each photoshoot, I learned something new. As technology evolved, so did the quality of my photography and editing.
I’ve been privileged to capture the stunning pole and aerial community and love every moment of it. Photographing some of New Zealand’s biggest pole shows and competitions is an honor that sets my soul on fire ♥ I’m endlessly grateful for the support that has brought me to where I am today.
Outside of photography and pole dancing, I live with my wonderful partner (a fellow photographer!) and our beautiful fur babies. I’m a firm believer in balancing hard work with moments of relaxation—whether it’s reading a great book, soaking up the sun, or spending quality time with loved ones. These moments recharge my creative energy and keep me inspired to deliver my best for my clients. Also, coffee—lots of it—is my fuel for capturing every perfect shot!
Thank you for visiting my website and taking the time to learn about my journey with ElleCatraz Photography. Feel free to explore my portfolio or reach out to discuss your vision—I’d love to bring it to life! I can’t wait to capture your unique passion and create lasting memories together ♥
The two photos featured are taken of myself during my photoshoots, the first one was taken using my original starter camera in 2018, and the second was juuuuuust after I upgraded to my current camera in 2020
Ready to capture your passion? Let’s create something amazing together—get in touch to book your shoot today!