About Me
Who is Denise Elfenbein?
I took my first photo class at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona in 1996. I was studying Graphic Design and took an elective course in Photography. I ended up enrolling in Photo 1, 2 and 3 and went on to an independent study with my teacher in Advertising Photography created shoe ads for class. That was what I really wanted to pursue; a career in advertising photography. I also studied at Phoenix College in Advertising Photo 1 & 2. I learned about studio lighting, portraiture and experimented a lot with photo styling of products.
I started photographing everything in the beginning and then figured out what I loved to capture. I would do portraits of friends in class and then expanded to photographing band performing live which I loved. I would also photograph in nature which was also another passion of mine. I even did some weddings, baby photos, family portraits and events.
I also love to read, write, workout, do yoga and travel. My personal blog on here include recipes, stories on my life path, adventures and, of course, photography.
I have a varied work history and background including promotions and photography in the music industry, working in health clubs & yoga studios, commercial photography, business law, graphic arts and being a travel agent for professional musicians and athletes.
Yes, I AM a Jill-of-all-trades, have many interests and that is how I roll. I love my life.
I cannot be put into a box, labeled or categorized. I like order & structure, but in a disconnected kind of way, in my mind. The right brain and left brain always seem to be interactive with each other. I've found I do like structure as I learned how to bake bread. It's a great balance for me.
I tend to have lots of interests & hobbies and to me, that's a fun way to live life! I also get bored very easily. I need to keep entertained and intellectually stimulated in concert with relaxation and quiet time. That is why I exercise and do yoga.
For instance, I like classical vinyasa yoga (yang) and yin yoga/meditation. I love metal, hard rock/classic rock music but also classical like Beethoven and Chopin. My music library is vast.
I eat & prepare healthy vegetarian food. I love good coffee. I read books. I love great films, although I am very particulate as to what I watch. I am mindful of all that I consume.
What I 'consume' visually, mentally, physically and aurally is a very important part of my intuitive, insightful and introverted lifestyle. So, who I choose to be a part of my life is also quite significant and has a huge impact. I am actually a very private person, but felt compelled to create this website to display more of me and to share with others.
COVID-19, quarantine and all that has happened in 2020 has brought me to this juncture.
Welcome to my World!
My education & training includes:
- BA Prescott College, 2011 - Psychology/Human Development and Art Therapy
- Graphics and Photography 1996-1999 - Yavapai College in Prescott AZ
- Commercial Photography - Phoenix College
- Commercial Photography intern for Christopher Marchetti in Prescott AZ
- Photography intern for Dale Odell in Prescott AZ
- House Photographer, Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ
- Basic Yin Yoga certificate, 2017 - San Francisco
- Personal Trainer & Nutrition, Glendale Community College
- Coffee Auditor for illy Coffee in San Francisco, 2017-2018
- Photo Editor, Northeast Valley News, 2015 - Scottsdale Community College
- Various other music & photography internships and projects
From Scottsdale Community College, Northeast Valley News, 2015:
(Denise Elfenbein is a professional photographer and the photo editor for the Scottsdale Chronicle and NE Valley News. She believes that healthy eating is important for everyone and wants her fellow students to know that they can benefit nutritionally by taking some easy steps to improve their eating habits.)
“A simple routine to healthy eating is both fast and affordable,” Elfenbein said.
The “Dining with Denise” series will entice students to “go healthy” by showcasing (through her photography) recipes that are both healthy and delicious.
Check out the various meals that are prepared in her cozy little kitchen and showcased on the food section at NEVN.
October 11, 2015
Bon appétit!
Here are some writing samples from my "Dining with Denise" in Northeast Valley News, 2015
https://nevalleynews.org/?s=dining+with+denise
https://nevalleynews.org/5650/podcast/dining-with-denise-mod-pizza/
https://nevalleynews.org/5243/podcast/dining-with-denise-flower-child-in-phoenix/
https://nevalleynews.org/4793/lifestyles/dining-with-denise-kale-and-radish-macro-salad/
To view more of my photojournalistic photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/deniseelf
To order prints, canvases, greeting cards and notebooks:
Https://1-denise-elfenbein.pixels.com/art
Check it out!
There's much to see here. Visceral vibrations and intuitive inspirations. I hope my website inspires you to get out there and pursue your dreams.
I have thoughts, lots of them. I enjoy creative and stream of consciousness writing. My Gemini ♊️ mind is constantly racing with thoughts and ideas. I must put them down on my paper and out of my mind, into the world. The Twins is a symbol of youth and of expansion through discovery and knowledge.
I thrive on increasing my knowledge by reading, feeding my soul with the words on the pages, embracing the inspirations that lead to learning all that sparks in my mind.
I thought I'd share some of my thoughts in a personal blog, mostly about food, and include my photography, a few recipes and books I'm reading.
Check out the library photo gallery below my blog, for the books I am reading or have read that feed my desires and continually inspire and teach me. Even fiction inspires me in that the characters and how they interact could very well be true. I ponder as I read and absorb the subject in its entirety. Reading feeds my soul.
In the link in the menu bar at the top of my page, there are my personal Photo Galleries of Food, Travel, Music, Nature and Abstracts.
Carpe Diem, Carpe Noctem. Namaste.
Hello! Welcome to Denise Elfenbein Photography
Photo Exhibit at King Coffee
3230 East Union Hills Drive, Ste B 135
Phoenix, Arizona 85050
For more photos, please click my Photo Galleries.
COMING SOON!
Dee's Homemade Granola - Gluten-free, vegan.