Hello :)
Welcome! I’m Emma—a lifestyle and family photographer based in the Twin Cities—and if you had told younger me I’d grow up to be a photographer, I probably would’ve laughed (and then immediately ducked out of the frame).
Because the truth is? I used to hate having my photo taken.
I know—kind of a funny thing for a photographer to admit. But if you’ve ever felt awkward or anxious in front of the camera, trust me—I see you. I was you. And honestly, I think that’s part of what makes me the photographer I am today.
Let me take you back to where it all started.
The Camera-Shy Kid Who Wanted to Be an Artist
Growing up, my mom practically begged me to get into family photos. Birthday parties, holidays, vacations—you name it, I was avoiding the lens. She tried bribes, pleading, pep talks… all of it. Looking back, I think it came from being a quiet, introverted kid who just didn’t want to be the center of attention. (Or maybe I was just being difficult—who’s to say?)
But while I didn’t love being photographed, I always loved creating. From the time I was in kindergarten, I wanted to be an artist. By high school, I was maxing out my schedule with art classes—and that’s where I first picked up a film camera.
I’ll never forget how mesmerizing it was: loading the film, shooting a roll, developing it by hand. Watching images come to life in the darkroom was pure magic. But after that class, I set photography aside for a while. Life moved on.
Rediscovering Photography (Thanks to a Class of Four)
College brought me to the University of Wisconsin–Superior, where I was still studying art and still feeling kind of awkward in my own skin. One semester, I ended up in a tiny “History of Photography” class—just me and three other girls.
Our professor? Straight out of a movie. Laid-back, quirky, sometimes a little dramatic. We’d sit through slideshows of historical photos while he gave his commentary—sometimes insightful, sometimes unfiltered. But it was during those quiet hours, staring at those old photographs, that something clicked.
The way photography could tell a story—through soft tones, subtle gestures, and frozen moments—it struck something deep in me. I started picking up a camera again here and there, just playing around. But still, I didn’t take it seriously.
Not yet.
Falling in Love (Literally and Creatively)
During my first year of college, I met Devyn—my now-husband. Classic story: goofy, outgoing guy meets shy, serious girl. Fast forward a bit, and we moved to Saint Paul, where I finished my B.A. and my M.Ed. in Art Education at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities.
Somewhere in that time, I took a few digital photography classes. I learned how to shoot in manual, work with natural light, and edit images with intention. The foundation was building—but I still hadn’t fully stepped into photography as a calling.
That happened just before I finished grad school—when Devyn proposed.
The Wedding That Changed Everything
As someone who used to run from the camera, the idea of engagement photos (and, y’know, a whole wedding day) felt like a lot. The attention. The posing. The kissing in front of grandparents.
But then we met our photographer. She was calm, confident, and had a way of making us feel totally at ease. She guided us, made us laugh, and captured us exactly as we are. That session planted a seed.
When we started planning the wedding, I told her there was one thing that mattered most to me: having my grandma there. She was my last living grandparent, and her health was fading. I made sure our photographer knew how important those photos would be.
And thank goodness I did—because the photos we have with her from that day? They mean the world to me.
That’s when it finally made sense: Photography isn’t about perfection. It’s about people. It’s about memory, emotion, connection. It’s about the quiet stories that live inside every image.
Photos below captured by: Morgan Hess
The Leap Into Photography (and Parenthood)
About a year later, Devyn and I welcomed our first baby. She was everything. We took photo after photo like all starry-eyed, sleep-deprived parents do. I still scroll through them late at night, teary-eyed over how fast she’s growing.
Just as I was preparing to return to my job as a middle school art teacher, I found out my teaching contract wasn’t renewed. After a lot of heart-to-hearts (and budgeting), we decided I’d stay home with our daughter and put energy into something I had always loved: photography.
Around the same time, my grandma passed away. And again, I found myself clinging to the photos—those tiny, frozen reminders of love and presence.
Why I Photograph What I Photograph
In the past year, I’ve had the honor of photographing families, couples, and all kinds of beautiful, chaotic moments. The tiny hands. The belly laughs. The unplanned tears and quiet touches.
As a lifestyle photographer, my goal is to capture real life—not the perfect version, but the true one. The one you’ll want to remember because it reflects who you are and what you love.
Let’s Make Something Honest and Beautiful Together
Whether you’re a new parent soaking up every snuggle, a family trying to wrangle toddlers into a group hug, or a couple navigating your next big chapter—I see the beauty in where you are right now.
If you’re looking for a Twin Cities family photographer who values real connection over forced smiles, I’d love to chat.
Let’s create something meaningful together.
