Through Roger Elliott's Lens

Man smiling outdoors wearing a wide-brimmed hat with an American flag patch, rocks, and a body of water in the background.

Dad. Pop Pop. Brother. Husband. Someone who has lived enough life to know what matters and still shows up for all of it.

I'm a retired Coast Guard Chief. Twenty-seven years. The Doc for crews and coastlines from Lake Erie to the Gulf and eventually here to California. You spend that much time showing up for people in hard moments and you learn to see them clearly. That stays with you.

I'm Kentucky-born and Petaluma-kept. I've spent the last twelve years behind a camera.

I make portraits of our aging parents and grandparents while we still can. I also photograph everyday people in our community, stopping for a conversation and asking what matters to them right now. If you know Humans of New York, you know the feeling. A face, a moment, a few honest words. Something real.

I don't just take pictures. I create images that last, portraits paired with their own words, in their own hand, so what you're left with is more than a photograph. It's the person.

Before I sit down at a kitchen table, step into a backyard garden, or visit someone in the place they call home, I ask one question:

What do you want me to know more than anything about them?

The answer is rarely about how they look.

It’s usually about how they love. What they’ve overcome. What makes them laugh. The way they show up for their family. The things the people closest to them never want forgotten.

That’s where the portrait begins.

That’s where we start.

Testimonials

  • "Great experience!!! Prompt and protective shipping that ensured my print arrived undamaged. Great response to additional questions! Beautiful print, can't wait to hang it up."

    —Terri

  • "I Will be celebrating my 60th Birthday in April. What better way to share my "New 40" than in pictures? From the very first photo I had so much fun. Roger has that southern charm and wit, along with a great eye on background and nature that enhances his photos I was thrilled with the final results. 60 IS the new 40! Thanks Roger."

    — Cathy

  • "Beautiful! Roger communicated proactively with me regarding the time frame to produce my acrylic print in order to set my expectations. It arrived on time, in perfect condition, and the photo itself is sharp, high-quality, and exactly as shown on the shop site. I could not be more pleased with my art purchase!"

    —Karen

  • "Great communication from seller, and the print is absolutely stunning - thrilled to have local art to add to my home."

    — Lou K

  • "It's Amazing! Looking forward to giving it as a holiday gift!"

    — Nancy

  • "He takes time to know what kind of photo experience you want and works with you to make it happen! He came to our PA class White coat ceremony and really made our students shine!"

    — Charity

  • "This print is so beautiful! It looks like a painting and will go perfectly in my prayer room! Can't wait to get it framed! Such a great photographer and so kind!"

    — Katrina

  • "I ordered this last month, with very little time left before Christmas day..seller went above & beyond to see that my order got there in time..on Christmas Eve! My Sis loved it, & was very happy with it! Thxx Roger!!"

    — James

Contact Roger