Meet Eli Stang, a photographer whose lens captures not just images, but the very essence of humanity. Growing up in a household where love knew no bounds, Eli learned early on to see beyond appearances and connect deeply with people from all walks of life. Inspired by the authenticity and stories of those she encountered, Eli’s journey into photography became a means of sharing the unique power and beauty of each individual. From the bustling streets of downtown Toronto to encounters with individuals facing adversity, Eli’s work is a testament to her belief in the importance of connection and community. Join us as we delve into Eli’s experiences, challenges, and aspirations in the world of photography and storytelling.
How has your background or personal experiences influenced the way you approach photography and connect with your subjects?
My parents were divorced and both sides were always creating spaces where everybody felt loved and like they belonged. My mom’s house was always the house everybody came to, she could see each person for who they were deep down. I remember her warning me about this one kid who used to come over and came from a very affluent family, telling me not to trust him but then another kid from our neighbourhood who was always in trouble, came from a really difficult home and he showed up with a stolen car one day begging my mom to let him take me for a ride. My mom loved him and our door was always open to him, she could see so much beyond the choices he made and right into his heart. My dad was no different, he loved everybody, he was always picking up hitch hikers, always giving when he was struggling himself. He opened a martial arts studio and for a long time could barely pay the bills because he couldn’t turn anybody away, most of the people taking classes weren’t paying. I was always just so drawn to people and connecting with them, photography is my way of seeing who they really are and sharing how unique and powerful each individual person is
What draws you to capturing the essence of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those struggling with addiction or living on the streets?
I feel very grateful that my mom took us to see a lot of different countries when I was young, I remember being in Haiti and Jamaica and feeling completely changed, there was a man washing his amputated leg in the river in Jamaica, he had nothing but his eyes were unlike anything I had ever seen before and had a depth and wisdom I had never experienced. I was always passionate about connecting with people and hearing their stories, I would spend a lot of time sitting on street corners listening to people living on the streets tell me about their lives, I was always drawn to their eyes, their energy and wished I could share their stories but didn’t want to ask to take their photo because I was worried my intentions would be taken wrong. Connection and community is everything to me, I always felt that the communities where everybody is well off and everything seems perfect was so soul sucking, this is of course a vast generalization but I always felt like people were just existing and not living. There was a lack of empathy and just a blind eye towards social issues, the not in my backyard mentality and you can have empathy for something as long is it doesn’t affect your privilege type deal was always so disgusting to me and I was always so drawn to the opposite. I appreciate authenticity. Money and flashy things never impressed me, I always said the Rza is my favourite artist in the world but I don’t think he is any more important than that person living on the streets.
As a photographer focused on capturing souls rather than just images, how do you ensure that your subjects feel comfortable and their stories are authentically portrayed?
I’m just me, I don’t come at it with any fluff or pitch it’s just me being there and genuinely wanting to be so I think it’s just felt. I think people naturally feel comfortable with me, people are sharing their stories with me daily and happy for me to share it. I am working on a book at the moment where all these stories and images will come together but there won’t be any of my own words in there, only people’s quotes, I don’t feel that its my right to retell somebody’s stories, I am just there to capture them and allow them to tell their own
What challenges have you faced in your photography journey, both personally and professionally? How have you overcome them?
I love to shoot for brands and artists. I fell in love with studio photography a few years back and definitely struggle with how to value myself. I am a giver and I love to just create and work without talking about money but I also have mouths to feed so learning when to just shoot and when to charge and changing my mindset to remember that just because I love my work doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be able to live off it.
On a personal level my struggles are similar still, I have always felt that the less you had the more real you must be, I think it stems from a lot of things but living with nothing always felt authentic and free and I know that seems so backwards to so many but I have very strong feelings about how society makes people think that we need all of these things and then we lose who we are, we identify ourselves with what we drive and where we live and I hate all that fake stuff. I love downtown Toronto because I walk out my door and I just breath life, Its like so many people are just existing on top of each other from different cultures and struggles and backgrounds and dreams and fears, its so real. I thrive in that. I am also trying to remember that there is a balance, you can make money, you can not struggle and you be successful financially without losing who you are – so that is what I am trying to overcome and I think the youth today are helping me see that – the youth that comes into my studio that have just dropped a new brand collection or a new album and they did it all themselves, they are driven and they want money and they want it by doing what they love, they don’t even blink when they tell me their hoodie they made is selling for 300 and here I am feeling bad about charging people for a full day shoot.
So I have really made huge changes in that in the last few years and unapologetically charge my rate but also set aside time to shoot for people who can’t afford it. I am letting of guilt and learning to receive. Somebody once told me that the more you have the more you can help and that changed everything for me
Who or what inspires you in your work? Are there any particular photographers, artists, or movements that influence your style or approach?
I love Steve Sweatpants. I read an article about him once about how he got into photography and he was talking about how his dad was such a hard worker and would bring him to work with him all the time when he was young, you expect the story to then talk about how he always was taught to work hard and go after his dreams, but no instead he says he never wanted to work that hard and he got into Photogrpahy cause he felt like it was the easiest laziest job and I laughed so hard. I loved that this street photographer that just learned on his own and had his own style was then being asked to shoot massive brand campaigns. I love when things disrupt the system, when they are unexpected and different and he did all that. Gabor Mate, I read his book hold onto your kids when I was pregnant with my first and he just changed my life, everything he said I felt so deeply and then I started to explore his work on addiction and mental health and I just think he is such an incredible teacher, I would love to meet him one day. The RZA because he changed the whole music industry, he saw a problem and changed it, he was the beat and the foundation of Wu Tang and saw all their strengths as a group and individually and pushed them to be their best without fear or limitations, I also grew up with old kung fu movies so I just love his story and beats. Old Dirty Bastard, is a true representation of not changing for others, fully owning your style and in turn inspiring everybody else, he also disrupted everything. I always say to my kids do you think ODB cares that his voice cracks, you think ODB wishes he looked or sounded or acted like everybody else? I love people who are so confident in what makes them different . My fam, I could go on forever here but my parents are just so inspiring, my siblings I am just beyond blessed, my brother is constantly pushing me creatively and teaching me, my husband might be the most supportive human in the world, my kids are my greatest teachers and my friends. Honestly just the people around me that I dont even know, walking downtown like I said inspires me every day, its life and life is good, no?
How do you balance the artistic and commercial aspects of your work when collaborating with brands or clients?
I love that every project is so different and challenging in its own way. A lot of smaller projects I get to direct, photograph, edit, come up with the campaign, coordinate the team and then another project I am just capturing their vision and I love both equally because I learn so much from working with different people and I really try to bring in my creativity and style into everything I shoot. When I am not working with clients I am just always trying to create on my own and really push areas that I have been thinking about or wanting to grow – I try to not have expectations and just ride the wave, there are months where I am doing a lot of my own creatives and then I have months where I don’t have any time to do that because I am too busy with clients so I try to just enjoy wherever I’m at
Looking forward, what are your goals or aspirations for Eli Stang Studio? How do you hope to continue evolving as a photographer and storyteller?
I just want to keep growing community, I love creating spaces where people come through and connect. I want to work more with brands and artists and I love the idea of bringing those together more. I also want to continue sharing stories and getting more into working with people that struggle with addiction and seeing this project take shape where it is making an impact and creating change. I always just want to keep growing, pushing myself and learning. I love how Bowie says that if you are not drowning your playing it safe. My goals are going to continue create, use my art to create change and one day photograph Wu-Tang.
