Rising Stars: Meet Emma Matthews

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Matthews.

Hi Emma, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started off with my first camera, a blue plastic canon, in the ’90s. I was obsessed with taking photos through my adolescence, from flowers, friends, family, toys, pets- I saw the world through my viewfinder. I loved art and in high school, I became interested in other mediums, specifically ceramics. But near the end of high school, I thought I had to give up the things I loved and start preparing for the world outside of high school. I left art behind me, and tried to get serious about studying to be a dietitian. But after a year of loss and fatigue, I took a year away from furthering my education.

In that year I realized I was missing the sound of a shutter, so I told myself I would take a semester to take some art classes at the local community college. A semester of Intro to Film Photography, creative writing, and ceramics really changed the course of my education. There was one assignment that really made my realize photography was the path for me, for that assignment, I chose to do a series on childhood. I followed my nephews and niece around for months capturing candid moments of adolescence. After a few semesters of photography courses, I learned a lot and now I photograph events, weddings, products, branding, portraits, photojournalism and lifestyle. My next adventure is opening a photography studio with a colleague.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It wasn’t necessarily a rough road, but it wasn’t necessarily smooth either. It was really hard to convince myself that it was okay to pursue art as my career. After years of being told art can’t pay the bills – it was really hard to break out of that line of thought. I still find those thoughts creeping in especially when covid hit, it definitely hindered some of my business plans. But over a year later, I feel like things are really starting to make sense and come together.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve been told that I have to specialize in one genre of photography, so far, I have found this difficult to do. I love photography in its many forms. But what I am most known for is my candid photos of childhood. I’m most proud of any of my images sparking emotion in people, whether it’s clients, colleagues, or strangers on Instagram. I don’t need every image to speak to everyone, if it’s just one person, that’s enough for me.

Contact Info:

• Email: emmdaniellephotography@gmail.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/emmadanielle.photography/