Today we’d like to introduce you to Elena Hallen.
Elena, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m Elena, a creative operations strategist, photographer, and designer based on the Georgia coast. My work has always lived at the intersection of structure and creativity. I was the “math brain” kid growing up—naturally analytical—but I was just as drawn to art, storytelling, and visual expression. I’ve always believed the most powerful creative work comes from blending those two worlds.
In college, I studied geography with a focus in cartography and minored in art and visual technology. That combination gave me a unique foundation—learning how to think spatially, work with data, and design with clarity and intention. It was also where I first discovered tools like Adobe Illustrator and began to understand how visual storytelling could be both beautiful and functional.
My first full-time design role was as a production designer in educational publishing, where I was immersed in high-volume, deadline-driven creative work. There, I didn’t just design—I built systems. I was eventually tasked with creating an internal creative department from the ground up, which taught me how powerful strong workflows, brand consistency, and thoughtful processes can be. Having a mentor who trusted me with that level of responsibility changed the trajectory of my career.
Over time, photography—something that had always been a personal passion—became an integral part of my professional work. That evolution led me to launch Swell Creative Agency and The Seraph Collective, two boutique studios focused on elevated brand storytelling, creative direction, and operational design for small businesses and publications.
Today, my work spans creative operations consulting, brand strategy, publishing and layout design, web design, and photography—bringing together everything I’ve learned about structure, storytelling, and visual identity. What sets my approach apart is that it’s never just about how something looks. It’s about why it exists, who it’s for, and how every piece fits together. I help clients see the big picture and tell their story in a way that feels intentional, cohesive, and unmistakably their own.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road, but every challenge along the way has strengthened the way I show up for my clients. Building a career that blends creative leadership with business operations means learning how to stay grounded, adaptable, and solution-oriented in real-world situations. Those experiences taught me how essential clarity, organization, and proactive communication are when people are trusting you with their brand, their timelines, and their investment.
Today, clients hire me not just for creative work—but for peace of mind. They know their projects are being handled thoughtfully, professionally, and with a big-picture perspective. The challenges I’ve faced have made me deeply attentive to detail, protective of process, and committed to creating a calm, well-run experience from start to finish. My goal is always the same: to make clients feel supported, confident, and excited about what we’re building together.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create authentic visual stories for brands and people who want their work, their spaces, and their lives to be seen in a way that feels real, elevated, and deeply personal. Through photography, creative direction, and design, I specialize in capturing moments and building imagery that feels warm, intentional, and quietly powerful—never forced or over-produced. I’m known for helping clients feel truly reflected in their visuals, whether that’s through an editorial shoot, a brand identity, or a full visual presence across print and digital. What I’m most proud of is the trust people place in me to tell their story honestly, and what sets me apart is my ability to blend intuition, structure, and emotion into work that feels both beautiful and meaningful.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I see the creative industry moving even more toward authenticity, intentionality, and story-driven experiences. Clients and audiences are craving work that feels human, not generic—visuals that reflect real people, real values, and real moments rather than “perfection.”
At the same time, I expect creative operations and systems to become increasingly important as brands navigate bigger visual ecosystems—social platforms, websites, commerce, print, and immersive formats. In short, creativity won’t just be about making things that look pretty—it will be about making things that connect, communicate, and feel real in a crowded digital world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seraphcollective.com
- Instagram: theseraphcollective
- Other: https://www.swellcreativeagency.com
