Eleakis & Elder Photography, Sacramento

The team behind Eleakis & Elder Photography draws artistic inspiration from what is most important in their own lives: their human and four-legged family members. Roger Ele and his wife and part-time assistant, Joan Stathakis-Ele, founded the studio in 1986; since then, Roger has relied on low-light photography and his love for animals to capture countless families, brides, and beloved pets. Chantel Elder joined the staff in 2001 and became a partner in 2008. When she's not busy in the studio, she can be found cooking with her new husband, spending time in the garden, and hanging out with her two boston terriers. New crew member Mark Long has been a professional photographer for more than 30 years—about as long as he's been married. Though he studied commercial and underwater photography at the renowned Brooks Institute, he now looks no further than his two children and grandchild for a smiling subject.

In addition to snapping pictures of furry friends, the photographers support the Sacramento SPCA and other charitable animal causes. They can turn feline or canine portraits into wall art, a 30-page album, and gift cards, or shred them and weave the strips into a pet sweater. They are also fans of the performing arts: Roger has done work for The Sacramento Ballet and has been the official photographer of Sacramento Opera since 1984.