Here we are in ISO bar on a Wednesday evening with four massive bags of technology between us. Cameras, lenses, steady cams, laptops, phones, and Emily’s new toy… A SONY camcorder. Emily is a local mum to two, and local auntie to many more! In this interview you can read about the experience of self-doubt, and Emily’s inspirations.
Q: What do you love most about your work?
Emily: Meeting people, it is 100% meeting people, finding out their story, and finding out who they are. Photography has connected me with so many beautiful people. Raglan is full of people carving out a life which is unique and special to them and I love to capture their story.
Q: How did you get into photography?
Emily: Well I always loved it – I’m an emotional and nostalgic person, I used to love watching my Granny and Grandad’s silent films of my mum as a child, and flicking through their old photo albums.
I used to organise a photography competition and I always dreamt of being the photographer, but I was intimidated by all their expensive camera gear. But one day I bought a camera and thought I’m going to do it. But I didn’t, it sat in the cupboard unused. I didn’t have the confidence, so I sold it. I must have done that three or four times. Bought and sold cameras, thinking it was a silly idea, I would never be a photographer.
When I had my first baby, I started taking photos of him. I didn’t want to forget or miss anything. So I bought another camera. But I still didn’t have the confidence to put myself out there. I was living in Wellington at the time and I was new to the city and a good friend said to me, “No one knows you here. Start saying you’re a photographer, believe it.”
So I did, and you know what, I did start to believe it. When I moved to Raglan, I believed I was a photographer. I offered to take photos of pregnant friends. Raglan is a special place. I found it easy to connect with people and before I knew it I was taking photos of people; friends of friends of friends would recommend me. But it was the confidence, as soon as I believed I could do it I could.
Q: What is your niche?
Emily: It’s capturing the memories as they are, I need to connect with people individually, learn about their story and who they are so I can capture their unique selves. I love documenting family life and love stories. I love documenting people like the local musician Soulti hearing about how she became a musician and what her latest EP is all about. Families like Ziksi and Ryan, capturing them spending time in their tiny home, enormous veggie garden, and going for their evening walk through the paddocks with their toddler. Mums like Emma; she was a new mum at home living off her land, baking and selling at the markets – that’s what we captured, that’s the story.
There are also so many incredible and talented people in Raglan that I also love to capture their talents and crafts. I hate the idea of someone who is incredible having to miss out on having their stories captured because they ‘didn’t get married’ or ‘didn’t have children’. I’m looking for the memories, nostalgia of everyone’s story.
Q: Who inspires you?
Emily: I love the Humans of New York style photography, capturing people in their story and finding out about who they are. I would love to do a Raglan series. So I’d say the people whose stories I am capturing; they inspire me. If we’re connected I am emotionally invested and it helps me create my best work.
And of course my kids inspire me. I want to capture their journeys but also I want to make them proud and I hope in turn inspire them one day.
Thanks Emily, I love your photography style, you certainly capture those nostalgia pics with great skill, and we are all looking forward to seeing what happens with that old camcorder!! Go and have a snoop at Emily’s work here:
IG: @emilyedwards_photography
Photo credit : @cass_takespics
By Katie Lowes
