Meet Elyse Fair | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elyse Fair and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elyse, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite quote is by Cheryl Strayed from her book “Wild.” It says, “‘There’s always a sunrise and always a sunset, and it’s up to you to choose to be there for it,’” said my mother. ‘Put yourself in the way of beauty.’”

I love this quote for several reasons, but one is that it reminds me of the privilege I have in my career as a photographer to bring beautiful moments into the light. The chaos of a messy bridal hotel suite or those exhausting first few weeks of life with a newborn don’t always feel worthy of documentation. But I get to explore, discover and capture the beautiful things that people might not be able to see in the moment.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Even from a young age, I was really interested in photography. My mom had a subscription to Martha Stewart Weddings when I was little. I would tear them apart, rip out my favorite pages and tuck them away in a binder. I shot my first wedding when I was 16, but I didn’t consider it as a career until after graduating college. I majored in graphic design and worked as a designer for several years before moving to full-time photography. My design training shapes how I shoot. It also fuels my interest in corporate work outside of family and wedding photography. I like my photos to tell a story and draw out my clients’ natural curiosities and qualities.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A perfect visit to Oklahoma City would start with checking into the Bradford House. It is the most delightful boutique hotel — book the room with the pink claw foot tub! After you drop your bags, pop downstairs for a Gin & Jam before heading out. For unique shopping, stop by Plenty for their wonderful, sustainably sourced goods and Shop Good for fun gifts and t-shirts (they design and print most of the ones they sell!) — both are on Automobile Alley. For something beautiful and special, Bebe’s in Nichols Hills is my go-to, and for quality bath products with a quirky aesthetic, Local Lather on Western Avenue.

After popping in a few shops, I’d get a treat a Katie Bugs on 9th Street — I love the lemonade snow cone with a dash of jalapeño in the summer and their hot chocolate in the winter. Head to the Wheeler District for a ride on the Ferris wheel and a great view of OKC, then pop over to The Big Friendly for a beer (they were named Brewery of the Year at the 2022 Great American Beer Festival!)

If you’re around on a Saturday morning, the farmer’s market at Scissortail Park is excellent. More must-eats are: Frida Southwest in Paseo, Ma Der Loa Kitchen in the Plaza, Kitchen 324 for a downtown breakfast, Cheever’s and The Drake on Uptown 23rd, The Hutch on Avondale in Nichols Hills, and don’t miss Black Walnut downtown — the James Beard Foundation just awarded chef Andrew Black its award for Best Chef Southwest! Of course, you can always head back to where you started and try the always amazing seasonal menu at Bradford House.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people I can thank for their love and support who have encouraged me on my journey with photography, but I can’t do what I do without the support of my husband, Ryan. He is my biggest cheerleader, my IT guy, my second shooter, and my sounding board.

Website: www.elyfairphotos.com

Instagram: @elyfair

Other: www.elyfairphotos.biz

Image Credits
Ely Fair Photography