About Eleakis Photography

Eleakis Photography is owned by Roger Ele & Joan Stathakis-Ele.  Eleakis was officially started in 1986 on a part time basis.   In 1988 Roger & Joan's desire to strike out on their own prevailed and they opened their studio location on Freeport Blvd.

The Owners

Roger started photography in high school where he worked on the school yearbook.  He then became involved (and the president of) an Explorer Scouts Photography Post sponsored by the Camera Center.  In his Senior year of High School, The Camera Center built a custom black & white darkroom.  The partner who was intending to run the lab was in the service was transferred to the mid-west. Roger ended up running the black & white lab, giving photography classes through the store, and helping with sales and service for 14 years.  This is where Roger developed his love and expertise in the black & white processes.  Roger loves the creative process of working with an existing situation and creating something special - thus his love for weddings and natural photography of children and animals.

Joan bought her first camera from Roger (it was his first camera sale), eventually she took a couple of his photography classes. Yes, one thing did lead to another and they were married in 1980.  Joan worked for the State of California as an accountant  - but her's is a creative spirit that needs an outlet, always doing crafts and art she loves to help with weddings and creative projects at the studio.  Joan retired from the state in 2000, loves it, and still assists at the studio on a part time basis - Hey!  She is retired!

In 1981 Roger and Joan started photographing all of the live performances for the Sacramento Ballet (Joan's daughter was in the Ballet), that lasted for about 10 years.  In 1983 they photographed their first weddings  for customers of  The Camera Center who had gotten to know Roger, and also started to do all of the photography for the Sacramento Opera.  Roger is also active in the local and state Professional Photography Associations, where he has served on the board of directors and as as President.

Chantel Elder

Chantel works full time at the studio as Roger's assistant. Chantel is going to Sacramento City College with a focus on photography.  She is in charge of production and customer service.  She is an excellent retouching artist in both hand and digital art work.  Chantel has a relaxed attitude and a wonderful eye for light and composition that make her perfect for candid wedding photography.  She catches the special candid moments using available light.

Ginjenea Pesavento

Ginjenea is Roger & Joan's daughter, has helped out part time at the studio for years, loves photography, and has made Roger & Joan proud grandparents ... what more can can we say ....

Calvin Fong

Calvin photographs weddings and works full time as a manager at the CSUS bookstore.  Calvin's interest in the medium first began with a Kodak Instamatic, composing candid moments of family and friends.  A native Sacramentan, he pursued his flirtation with film by attending classes at Sacramento City College, CSUS, and Brook's Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara.  It is calvin's philosophy that good business sense and a zealous commitment to continuing education in one's area of expertise are as critical to successful photography today as a creative mind in orchestrating light, color, and theme.

Influenced by the work of David Muench, Lisa Evans, and Ken Marcus, it is evident in Calvin's soft-spoken confidence and meticulous attention to detail that any wedding party entrusted to his care will be nothing less than delighted with his finished product.  Calvin believes that his own attitude and calming professionalism can be a key barometer of the wedding party's mood and level of comfort.  "I reassure them," Calvin says, "that the photography is one aspect of an otherwise stressful day that they have absolutely no need to worry about."

Riley

Riley talks of his career -

"I found that serving clients as the goodwill ambassador at Eleakis Photography was my destiny.  My role is to meet, greet and welcome guests and to make their time at the studio a pleasurable experience.  I take my responsibilities very seriously and search for creative ways to help clients relax and present themselves to the camera in the best possible light.  Although I have been working at the studio for years now, I never tire of helping clients tell their personal stories through photographs."

Michael DiSantis

Michael is now working at the Camera Arts photography store which is at 57th and H streets in East Sacramento.  Camera Arts is the best photography store in Sacramento and Michael is wonderful and knowledgeable - we recommend both highly.