About William Ellmore
I am a multidisciplinary creative director and artist whose journey began in childhood and has evolved over two decades into a career bridging fine art, commercial design, and human storytelling.
My creative path started early with encouragement from art instructors who recognized something special. As a child, I was making stop-motion animation films, constantly drawing, and exploring various creative outlets. A high school photography class sparked a passion that would become central to my work, while I continued making short films in my spare time.
My professional career began writing copy for a toy company, but I quickly discovered that creative roles rarely stay contained. I taught myself Photoshop, product photography, and various other skills, learning that versatility opens doors. This experience sparked my serious interest in photography, leading me to shoot weddings, events, and build an artistic portfolio.
The natural next step was formal education. In 2012, I moved from Wisconsin to New York City to attend the School of Visual Arts, earning my degree in photography while maintaining an active freelance practice. During this period, I created intimate portrait projects like my 2013 series documenting New Yorkers' handwritten hopes and dreams—work that explored how individual stories reveal universal truths.
After graduation, my commercial career evolved through various roles in creative operations, eventually leading teams and creating content for major global brands. I also founded a pop-culture fashion brand that gained media attention and celebrity customers, proving that personal creative vision could translate into commercial success.
Throughout this journey, my artistic practice has remained constant, spanning traditional painting, sculpture, experimental mixed media, and cutting-edge digital work. Each medium informs the others, and every role has taught me that the most powerful creative work emerges from genuine curiosity about human connection and storytelling.