Sharmil Elliott Reclusado is a multi-passionate photographer, creative, and healer, a professional with a deep love for visual storytelling, human connection and wellbeing.

Her first camera doubled as a keychain and was barely bigger than the 110 film that went in it. Even in elementary school, she loved lining up an image, clicking the button and cranking the roll to the next frame but that was just the first taste. Her high school darkroom was where she discovered the magic of photography and went on to study photojournalism in college, later falling in love with fine art portraiture during an internship in England.

Raised overseas in the Pacific Islands, Ukraine, and Israel, her early exposure to diverse cultures shaped her artistic eye and deepened her appreciation for everyday beauty. That theme continued into adulthood, as she lived in Portland, the Cayman Islands, and Alaska.

After the sudden death of her brother in 2006, Sharmil returned home to Hawai‘i and its healing waters to start anew. She rebuilt her life and grew a thriving photography business, eventually opening her own studio on O‘ahu, which she ran until 2014 when she returned to Portland to be with her now husband.

Over her 15-year photography career, Sharmil worked in both corporate and independent photography, specializing in all things people and portraiture, capturing weddings, boudoir, maternity, and families. She also worked in fashion, real estate, product photography, food and cookbooks, and crafted satirical movie posters, falling in love with digital creations in Photoshop.

In addition to her creative pursuits, Sharmil is passionate about travel (both near and far), nature (especially when it brings her near water or trees), and holistic wellness. She is also a certified health coach.

Whether she’s behind the lens, following a river, or deep in conversation, Sharmil is guided by curiosity, connection, and the belief that creativity, nature, and healing are all paths back home to ourselves.