Ellen Charis Photography

Ellen Charis Photography Hi there and welcome! My name is Ellen and I am the founder and visionary behind Ellen Charis Photography. Photography is one of my stronger passions.

A lifestyle, family, wedding, portrait, and newborn photographer serving the greater Charleston, SC area with the goal of capturing precious moments for you to treasure forever. For as long as I can remember, I have loved anything that has to do with creating visual beauty. Designing my dream room with magazine cutouts, illustrating historic events for history class, hand lettering quotes and Bibl

e verses, crafting and selling jewelry, and many more hobbies attracted my time and attention throughout my childhood. I have a BA in Graphic Design from Charleston Southern University with minors in Business Management, Web Development, and Studio Art. Those who knew me when I was younger do not find it surprising that I pursued those interests. Creating visual imagery and capturing moments in beautiful ways are some of my favorite things to do. You can never replay a moment but you can capture it to save forever. That’s the beauty behind photography and I love it! In addition to photography, I enjoy taking content and crafting it into something visually pleasing. Whether that be a website, poster, flyer, digital illustration, logo, or photo I love it all! And if I’ve never done it before, I’m ready to try. I’d love to connect with you! Shoot me a message or follow my photography journey via social media. I can’t wait to connect with you! Behind the Name. I have always been described as someone who is simple yet elegant. When designing my personal brand, these were two words that I kept in mind. The meaning behind my brand name is based off of my name. “Ellen” is my first name and means “bright, shining light.” My middle name, “Charis” (pronounced kār-iss), is Greek for “grace, kindness, and life.” I desire for my designs and photography to capture the light and life around me.

Rain in the forecast doesn't automatically mean your photo session is canceled. ☔Charleston weather changes quickly, and...
08/05/2026

Rain in the forecast doesn't automatically mean your photo session is canceled. ☔

Charleston weather changes quickly, and I have a plan for every session so you don't have to stress. I'm sharing exactly how I handle uncertain weather and what you can expect if rain is in the forecast.

Comment RAIN and I'll send you the full blog post with all the details!

You think you’ll remember everything about this season—but you won’t.Even the seasons that feel so vivid right now event...
08/02/2026

You think you’ll remember everything about this season—but you won’t.

Even the seasons that feel so vivid right now eventually blur together.

That’s why I love what I do so much. I get to photograph the things you might not think twice about today—but will deeply treasure later.

The way your toddler holds your hand. The way your family fits together right now. The laughter that feels ordinary in the moment but becomes priceless later.

Pause for a minute and take time to freeze this season with a few photographs. I've never once heard someone say they regret doing so.

Is a photo session worth the investment?I believe yes—but not because of the images alone.It’s because of what those ima...
08/01/2026

Is a photo session worth the investment?

I believe yes—but not because of the images alone.

It’s because of what those images hold.

They hold the way your children looked at you in this season. The way your family felt together. The moments you didn’t realize were slipping by so quickly.

As I’ve said before, “the goal of photography is to create still moments of emotion and sweet laughter with your loved ones for you to treasure forever.”

That’s what you’re investing in.

What photos do you treasure the most? Why?

Phone photos are wonderful for documenting everyday life—but they rarely include you.And I can’t tell you how many moms ...
07/29/2026

Phone photos are wonderful for documenting everyday life—but they rarely include you.

And I can’t tell you how many moms say, “I’m never in the photos.”

But here’s the truth: your children don’t just want photos of what life looked like. They want photos of what it looked like with you in it.

Even if you feel a little tired, a little messy, or not perfectly put together—those are still the moments worth remembering.

Let this be your reminder to get in the photos

The location you choose should enhance your photos and not add stress to the planning process.Comment LOCATION and I'll ...
07/26/2026

The location you choose should enhance your photos and not add stress to the planning process.

Comment LOCATION and I'll send you a link to the full blog post that walks you through how to choose the best location for your photo session.✨

3 tips for maximum enjoyment of your wedding photos…🎊 Prep, plan, and communicate ahead of time. If there are certain ev...
07/25/2026

3 tips for maximum enjoyment of your wedding photos…

🎊 Prep, plan, and communicate ahead of time. If there are certain events, friends, family members, poses, or locations you want photographed on your wedding day, be sure to communicate those priorities & expectations to your photographer ahead of time.

When I meet with couples to plan the photography for their wedding, I always ask for these priorities and expectations and then proceed to write them down. I keep those lists with me throughout the wedding day to ensure I’m not missing anything important to you.

🎊 Relax & enjoy the wedding day as it unfolds and trust that your photographer has his/her job under control!

If you’ve communicated everything ahead of time, there’s no need to stress or manage the day when it arrives. Enjoy every beautiful moment to its fullest!

🎊 Take time to relive your wedding day by looking through your finished gallery of photos regularly. I do this with my wedding photos ALL THE TIME!!!

The moments, faces, and memories that I forget or simply didn’t witness the day of are so fun to look back on.

✨ Bonus: Print a photo book or prints for your home to display! Little reminders of the best day of your life surrounding you is the sweetest!

What ways do you continue to enjoy photos from your wedding day?

Let’s chat in the comments!

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Caterer: D&J Catering and Bakery
Venue: Redemption Church, Monclova Ohio
DJ: Corey LeRoux
Florist: Gardenview Flowers, Grand Rapids Ohio
Suits: State and Liberty Clothing, Ann Arbor Michigan
Wedding dress: Belle Amour Bridal, Toledo Ohio
Bride's Hair: Kristen Smith at Sanctuary Salon
Bridesmaid dresses: Azazie Bridal
Rings: James Allen

You’re not just booking a photographer.You’re choosing how your family’s story is remembered.And that’s something I don’...
07/22/2026

You’re not just booking a photographer.

You’re choosing how your family’s story is remembered.

And that’s something I don’t take lightly.

Every session I photograph is approached with intention—from how I guide you during the session to how I encourage natural interaction between you and your kids.

Because I don’t just want you to have photos.

I want you to have memories that feel like you.

✨ Comment TELL ME MORE for more info about booking an intentional photo session.

Your session should never feel like you’re being tested.It should feel like time together—with a little gentle direction...
07/18/2026

Your session should never feel like you’re being tested.

It should feel like time together—with a little gentle direction from me so you’re never unsure what to do next.

I’ve had clients tell me after sessions that they expected stress, chaos, or awkwardness… and instead were surprised by how relaxed it felt.

That’s always my goal.

Because when you feel comfortable, your photos reflect that naturally.

✨ Send this to someone who wants to feel comfortable in front of the camera.

There’s a person behind every camera.While photography is my business, it’s only one part of who I am. I’m also a wife, ...
07/17/2026

There’s a person behind every camera.

While photography is my business, it’s only one part of who I am. I’m also a wife, a mama, a follower of Jesus, a homeschool mom, a baker, a tea lover, a small business owner, and someone who believes the little moments in life matter most.

Those parts of my life shape the way I photograph your family. They remind me to be patient with toddlers, to treasure genuine connection over perfect poses, and to create an experience that feels relaxed and meaningful.

I’d love to get to know you, too! 💛

What’s one role or hobby that people might be surprised to learn about you?

“What do you do when kids won’t smile?”Honestly? I don’t force it.I’ve worked with plenty of little ones who are shy, ti...
07/16/2026

“What do you do when kids won’t smile?”

Honestly? I don’t force it.

I’ve worked with plenty of little ones who are shy, tired, or just not interested in a camera that day. And that’s completely okay.

Instead of pushing for forced smiles, I redirect. I play with them, give them something to do, or shift focus back to connection with you as parents.

And what usually happens? The smiles come naturally once the pressure is gone.

Some of my favorite images are not “perfect smiles,” but real expressions that tell the story of who they were in that stage of life.

✨ Send this to a parent who needs reassurance

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Charleston, SC

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