Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emily Wiitanen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Emily, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us a story about a time you failed?

Right after I had filed for my DBA, my father had accompanied me to an appointment with an accountant. I knew how to operate a camera but I had no idea have to manage the back end of my business! The accountant had asked me what I wanted to know and I told him everything and anything that he had to offer! My father and I left that meeting with a feeling that we were not expecting. I was told by the accountant that I should quit now and not move forward because I would not succeed and I wouldn’t make a difference. I wouldn’t be successful and to save myself from failure, I shouldn’t move forward with my business.

My father and I sat in my car afterwards and we had no words to say. I had entered that meeting feeling on top of the world and eager to start my business and I left feeling like a failure when I hadn’t even had my first client as a business owner. I felt like I had made a huge mistake and he almost scared me into quitting but I took that fear of failure and used it as a drive. The accountant that met with me and my father didn’t know me personally or the passion that I had for this creative outlet. So instead of shriveling up and letting his words consume me, I used them to fuel my fire to prove to myself that even though I was scared at the time to be a creative business owner, that I could succeed.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Emily, I am a photographer based in Marquette, Michigan specializing in weddings and couples! I do travel outside of the Upper Peninsula a lot of the time for photography as well! I love getting to know couples, their stories and documenting their relationship! I have always had photography as a hobby because my father and I had always shared a passion for it. We would go out and about during the summer months when I was in elementary school with our Canon point and shoot cameras. My very first ‘big girl’ camera as I would call it, was found on the Houghton Lift Bridge by my dad in the early hours of the morning on a weekday. My dad stopped on the bridge, hopped out of his vehicle and picked it up. There wasn’t any damage to the camera so he took it home, cleaned it up and then I stole it and made it mine!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

COMMUNITY. When I first started my photography journey I felt like I didn’t have anyone to answer any questions to or have anyone to help me learn. But now, when an aspiring photographer has questions, I am happy to answer them because I know how it feels to not have anyone to ask questions to.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

When starting photography, I really wanted to keep it as a hobby because I didn’t want to get tired of loving what I do. But I’ve learned that the more that I do it, the more I love it! The more that I have photographed couples and weddings, the more clients it has brought me and it really showed me what I love to document. I went from being a hobbyist photographer, to obtaining my DBA in 2019, to filing for my LLC in 2021 and rockin’ and rollin’ ever since! I just celebrated being in business for 4 years in May and I could not be more grateful to everyone who has trusted me with their milestones and every day moments.

Contact Info:

• Website: emilydianephotography.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/emilydiane.photo