Ambient Awareness Media LLC

Hello, I'm Mandell Elm, a professional photographer based in the beautiful Hampton Roads area of Virginia. My path to photography wasn't paved with childhood dreams or early passions. In fact, I didn't even pick up my first professional camera until I was 28 years old.

In 2020, my life took an unexpected turn when I suffered an injury that left me bedridden for four months. This challenging period also required me to relearn how to walk. With an abundance of free time and a need to find a new focus, I decided to immerse myself in learning a new craft.

My main profession and first passion is working in the mental health field. I am currently a high school mental health and crisis counselor for Newport News Public Schools. I don’t see myself ever stepping away from this field because I believe this is what I have been put on this earth to do. I have a unique ability to connect with individuals in a way that allows them to feel understood, to feel seen. In these moments is where I find people grow, no matter how uncomfortable that process might be.

Photography became my creative outlet and my therapy. What started as a way to pass the time quickly evolved into a profound passion. I dedicated countless hours to understanding the intricacies of photography, from mastering my camera's settings to perfecting post-processing techniques. I landed on portrait photography because it allowed me to continue connecting with people. Now, not only do I strive to make others feel seen, I want them to be able to see themselves. A portrait, to me, is more than just taking a photo of a person—it is a way to capture a piece of who they are.

Today, I am proud to call myself a professional photographer. My journey may have started in an unconventional way, but it has given me a unique perspective and a deep appreciation for the art of capturing moments. Each photograph I take is a testament to resilience, growth, and the beauty of life's unexpected paths.