We were lucky to catch up with Emilie Procsal recently and have shared our conversation below.

Emilie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Everyone has crazy stuff happen to them, but often small business owners and creatives, artists and others who are doing something off the beaten path are often hit with things (positive or negative) that are so out there, so unpredictable and unexpected. Can you share a crazy story from your journey?

As a child, I wanted to be a psychologist. Someone who helped people on a daily basis. Deep in my veins ran a love for art that pushed me into the field of creation and far away from my dreams of helping people. After college I took the best (and honestly only) job I could get which was in product development. I spent many years creating profitable products. I enjoyed seeing my creations come to like, but deep down I wanted to feel like I was doing something that made some sort of impact on others, not just their wallet. This sparked the drive to become my own boss and create my company Scarlet Cardinal Studios.

After a long talk with my husband, I decided to leave the industry and give it a go as a business owner. Here is where I had to hustle as I simply didn’t know where I would land. I wanted to make an impact, but with a young family, I knew I had to figure out something fast. I threw every line into the sea as I could. Freelancing graphic design, commissioned paintings, whatever I could do, I would do it. Then the spark ignited. I took the ol “fake it till you make it” philosophy out for a spin. Real Estate photography? SURE! I could do that! Was I shaking on my first shoot? Like a leaf. I never had any formal training in photography and here I was photographing people’s houses. I had to learn fast. So I did. I threw all I could into understanding the ins and outs of being a real estate photographer. The jitters started to be a thing of the past, and the enjoyment of getting that perfect angle was running through me. But then one special day made me realize that what I was doing on a daily basis was in fact the dream I always had, to make a difference on others.

I arrived at my shoot like normal. A friend who was a beautiful interior designer was selling her house and wanted me to come and capture it. My shoot started like normal and I was moving along admiring all the beauty she had put into her home. After some conversation, it became clear that this home was a chapter in her life that she needed to close. Her husband had passed away from cancer and after her children grew up and moved on, a large home to herself was no longer something that she needed. But this house carried all the beautiful memories for her that a loving home would. The biggest memory, her husband.

For her, leaving her home was the last of his memory on earth that she had to surrender. I completed my photos and we reviewed them together. As we clicked along looking through each photo tears started to form. When we came to the last one, heavy tears came down her face. I looked at her and felt a twinge of guilt. I felt like I had made her situation harder by showing her what she was leaving behind. She then proclaimed “you captured it beautifully. I would never have anyone else do this but you. I will cherish these photos”. It was then that I realized that these photos allowed her to take this home with her. I realized that I wasn’t just helping in selling houses, but I was freezing time for people. I realized that in some way shape or form, I was helping others. I walked down her doorstep and was filled with a sudden feeling of purpose. I finally felt like I was where I needed to be.

Walking into someone’s house is like walking into someone’s head. A home is filled with your memories, your love, and your style. It is the vessel that you build to raise your children, enjoy your world, and plant your roots. When it is time to leave, it is not always easy. When a real estate photographer shows up at your door the reality sets in. This home is no longer mine. For some that is a joyful event, for others that is extremely difficult. Every time I ring a doorbell that thought goes through my head. I treat each client gently as every situation is unique as you never know what you’re walking into. Every door to me is an opportunity to make a difference.

Emilie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started my career in art as a product developer in my early 20’s, later developing Scarlet Cardinal Studios specializing in real estate photography, social media, and marketing. I have worked with many small business owners and have photographed thousands of homes. I started as a very green photographer working hard to create a name for myself and make my children proud of their mother.

Scarlet Cardinal Studios offers photography, drone, floor plans, 3d tours, and videography to enhance and market a home. Along the way I have met many small business owners with graphic design needs, so I still use my tools to help design menus, logos, and marketing materials, to name a few. As my business grew we started offering social media management and creation for other business owners and we hope to expand other organizations along with our own.

I love what I do every day. I have a traveling office where I greet my co-workers on every new project. I get to utilize my creative eye to create something that will assist in selling someone’s home freezing time in the lens that will last a lifetime.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

In the beginning of this journey, I believed that other photographers were my competitors. I was so very wrong. I have made friends with multiple photographers both in my industry and out and have gained such love and insight. We share experiences together and give each other tips on how to get better. I think we all need to look at this world a little differently. We could get so much love and growth from each other, even if we are up against one another. You never know where that could lead you.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is getting a reaction from the viewer. In my current job I need each person to be pleased with what I do both on and off site. I was taught in college that creation on my end was to elicit a response from the viewer. To get their attention in any way. Not to be some painting on the wall they look at and pass by. To engage them. I have used that way of thinking throughout my journey and continue to today.

As a real estate photographer, I get the pleasure of working with homeowners who express gratitude for what I create. They hold onto my photos as they move along in life. It is so rewarding to know that I get to be a part of their life journey. I get to help them take a memory with them, and that alone keeps me getting up every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cardinalphotos.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletcardinalstudios/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scarletcardinalstudios/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilieprocsalstudioemi/