Last month, I hopped on a plane (not at LAX… if you know, you know) and flew to Maui to visit two dear friends of mine, Jess and Isaiah. Earlier this year, on my birthday, I decided I wanted to start taking more trips by myself. There was something about the idea of traveling somewhere […]

A few weeks ago, Carter sent me a text asking if I could help him with his proposal to his girlfriend (now fiancée!), Avery. It was truly a miracle that I even saw the text because, at the time, I was hiking in Sequoia National Park. Thankfully, I happened to be at one of the […]

I’m so excited to share Cody and Christa’s engagement session with you today! Last week, we drove up to Sequoia National Park to document this sweet season of their lives. Sequoia National Park has always been one of my favorite places in California. Between the towering trees, the cool mountain air, and the wildlife, especially […]

It was March 2019. I was a sophomore in high school, and some kids from youth group and I were driving up to winter camp for the weekend. The anticipation for camp was high among all the kids in our group. We were excited for the activities, games, and chapel sessions. When we finally got […]

Hosted by Two Oaks River Ranch in Lemoore, CA This past Sunday, on August 2nd, I had the honor of collaborating in a wedding styled shoot. The Two Oaks River Ranch is a new venue located in Lemoore, CA. The property is peaceful, full of greenery, and even has highland cows! While I have photographed […]

Have you ever wondered what happened to the classic, vintage look of photography? Why do our grandparents’ wedding photos seem so warm, nostalgic, and inviting? Why do the colors in our parents’ high school yearbooks seem more vibrant? A big reason for that is that these were most likely photographed on a film camera! Film […]

Hello! Welcome to my first-ever blog post. I am honored that you are here! If we haven’t met before, my name is Elana (pronounced like Uh-Lay-Nuh). I recently launched my brand and website, Elana Joy Photography. Here’s a little bit about what I do: Elana Joy Photography exists to create timeless, joy-filled imagery that celebrates […]