Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emma Holt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Emma, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
Asking yourself what your identity is as a creative brand is – to me – the same as asking yourself who you really are. For many of us, finding the answer to that question is not so simple, and it’s often something we inquire upon for most of our lives. For me, the camera has always been a calling; An obsession, a passion, an escape into another universe. Film creates a space where the possibilities for storytelling become limitless. As famous French-Swiss film director, Jean Luc Godard once said, “The cinema is not art which films life, the cinema is something between art and life.” I believe that he and I shared the philosophy that cinematography is one of the most powerful tools available for humans to explore the greater mysteries of life.
I once heard a valuable piece of advice that has always stuck with me: “Pay attention to what you lose track of time doing.” In high school, I always loved photography and graphic design. Minutes would turn into hours working on any number of artistic projects. I recall a great sense of accomplishment I still feel today at the sight of a project well done. I often reminisce upon those carefree times in art class – painting, printmaking, and crafting wild creations in the early days of Photoshop. I simply enjoyed expressing myself freely through art – “Art for arts sake.” I’ve always thrived in creative environments, and felt my best when making art. Upon graduating highschool, I decided to pursue a degree in Journalism at Colorado State University, as it seemed a more lucrative industry than Fine Arts.
My time at CSU (2013-2017), however, changed my perspective on the business of art, as I had encountered some truly extraordinary professors, advisors, and fellow students who shared my passions and love for cinema. My time DJ-ing and doing photography at 90.5 KCSU was particularly formative, where I made my first connections with the Fort Collins music community, many of which I still have today. One of my favorite events I got to photograph for KCSU was my first FoCoMx (Fort Collins Music Experiment) in 2017. My uncle had gifted me my first camera, a Canon D6. If you’ve ever been to FoCoMX, you know that, “the biggest little festival in America,” is every budding concert photographer’s dream (Credit: https://focomx.focoma.org/). Following FoCoMX, I could see that the music scene in NoCo was thriving, and I wanted to be a part of it. I saw a great opportunity for collaboration with like minded individuals. I took a leap of faith into the music industry, and never looked back.
For creative folks who put a big piece of ourselves into everything we do, deciding what to name yourself can be one of the toughest challenges you face when entering the creative industry. The goal is to find something effortless yet thoughtful, professional yet bold. What evokes the image of the services and skills you have to offer? Does your logo stand out? Can your brand traverse various digital and non-digital platforms with ease? These are some of the essential questions that come to mind when discussing the topic of brand identity. Creating a solid brand identity has been a constantly evolving process for me. Like many kinds of art, photography is a very personal art form. I put a piece of myself into everything I do. As I change and evolve, so does my brand.
Admittedly, my innate love for outer space (where my fellow Star Wars kids at?), and my background in live concert lighting helped to inspire the inception of my business, Interstellar Illuminations. Over the years, I have continued to develop my brand in a number of ways, including redesigning my logo. The Saturn logo (pictured), for example, is one of my favorite personal logos I’ve designed to date. I was inspired to make this logo in 2021 while creating designs for masks during the pandemic. I do believe it is crucially important to maintain a crisp and professional social media presence for your brand.
If I could offer one piece of advice to those starting a creative business or brand, it would be to allow yourself room to grow. Be kind to yourself. Our business is not the kind where you clock out everyday and leave things at the door. Our work is an extension of who we are, and we are affected deeply by the climate of the world around us. It requires a great deal of dedication to run a creative business – don’t give up. I believe the creative industries are not only worthwhile, but an essential part of human connection and collaboration. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that life is not the same without art and music.
Perhaps what I’m trying to say is that there was no defining moment that inspired Interstellar Illuminations, but rather a variety of moments over time that have added richness and depth to an ongoing story. There are countless nights, photos, and people I will never forget. All the experiences – good and bad – have helped shape me, both as a person and as a creative brand. Ultimately, my love and dedication for capturing a person’s essence and promoting creative collaboration is what Interstellar Illuminations is all about.
Emma, 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?
Interstellar Illuminations has been offering photography, videography, lighting and design services to musicians, artists & creative clientele in the NoCo community since 2018. Projects and services range from live music and band photography to portraits for every occasion, including headshots, portfolio, and branding. Graphic design, video, and photo editing are included in my services, and I often handle the sharing and distribution of finished projects as well. All my photos and videos are edited using the Adobe Creative Suite in order to ensure that projects are returned in a quick and efficient manner, while maintaining the utmost emphasis on quality and professionalism. I work hard to ensure that all my projects get the exposure they deserve.
One thing that I feel sets Interstellar Illuminations apart, is that I always make time to meet with my clients – be it over zoom or coffee – before and after the shoot. Communication, clarity, and transparency are very important to me and are always at the top of my priority list. I do this to ensure that the shoots go as smoothly as possible the day of. It’s important for me to have a clear vision of what the client wants, and to ensure we make the most of our time together. Similarly, I like to meet with clients after the shoot to make sure we are both satisfied with the end result. The project is not finished until I have done everything in my power to make sure that the client feels the ultimate goal for the project is reached.
I put my photography and videography through a rigorous personal process in order to determine what will make the final cut. For years I have trained my eye to know what makes a good photo. I have assisted a variety of renowned photographers and videographers throughout my career, who have taught me countless invaluable lessons. I believe that every day on the job is an opportunity to learn and become better at what you do.
While I’m mostly known for music and live performance photography and videography, I have always had a love for portrait photography and personal branding. I love to challenge myself to try something new and often thrive when given a new avenue to explore. I truly believe that I have a knack for helping people to create a visual representation of themselves that they will be proud of. If you are thinking about giving your brand or upcoming event a fresh, eye-catching twinkle, I would love to talk to you about how Interstellar Illuminations can contribute. You will be hard pressed to find someone with more personal dedication and commitment to making your brand shine – because no project is too small for a little illumination.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
As a child of the early 2000’s era when arguably some of the best music videos of all time were ever made, I grew up wanting to be the next pop sensation. I was absolutely captivated by the MTV music video channel, and can still remember every music video frame for frame. Like most kids of that era, I started making my very first music videos on my mom’s home video camera…with or without her permission. Years later, here we are and I’m still making music videos – only I have a much better camera! One thing I’m absolutely certain of: music and videography will always be an integral part of my life.
I love to see what the industry is doing with music videos, and I often study new releases diligently. I watch everything from major music video releases to live recordings such as SNL and NPR Tiny Desk. I’m often inspired and wowed by the scale and creativity that goes into many modern day productions. I thoroughly enjoy seeing a bold creative vision. I eagerly await the video releases of today’s up and coming artists, and I dream of a day when I will have the opportunity to work on a music video production of that scale.
If you have worked behind the scenes at any major music festival or production, then you know it is a demanding occupation but a satisfying one. Having a hand in bringing someone’s artistic vision to life is a wonderful feeling, certainly the most satisfying job I’ve ever had. I am very fortunate to have worked some of my dream gigs in the past five years, including Steel Pulse, Hall & Oats, and Weezer just to name just a few. All these gigs shattered my previous conceptions of what I was capable of. I can’t help but think young Emma watching MTV videos would be proud.
I wonder who the wise Emma of 5 years from now will be? I would like to continue down the path of videography and video production as much as possible as that is what I am most passionate about. It has always been a dream of mine to travel the world. I know there’s so much more out there to see. As of right now, I do see longevity in this career. I love having a job where I learn something new every day. The community and sense of belonging is unlike any I have felt before. I work with people who genuinely believe in me, and want to see me succeed. I think I speak for all of us in the industry when I say: once a roadie, always a roadie.
Although the music industry suffered great losses during the pandemic, things are looking up this summer as the industry braces for a surge of shows to make up for lost time. It’s almost impossible to imagine there was a time when we couldn’t see live music. Make sure you get out to see some of your favorite bands this summer. Support your local and national artists, as well as venues. Buy some shirts or a record or two. We have missed you!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me as a photographer, there is no greater feeling than knowing I was able to bring an artist’s creative vision to life. Creativity gives us the power to constantly reinvent ourselves. To own the best version of yourself is a powerful thing. I have been lucky enough to be on the other side of the camera and experience what that feels like. When I feel I am able to capture someone’s true essence on camera, I know I’m doing something meaningful. It feels like a super power being able to capture a unique moment and freeze it forever in time.
Another aspect I love about being an artist is the environment of collaboration. One of the truest sayings I’ve heard while working in the music business is, “You’re only as good as your crew.” Every good artist needs a crew. I find a great sense of pride in my work when helping a fellow artist bring their vision to life. I admire and appreciate the unique skills that different artists can bring to a production to make it a success. I greatly value those who have a similar drive and dedication to the creative arts. There is a mutual respect among creatives as we understand the time, effort, and dedication it takes to be in the industry. I feel that the vision for a production can only soar to greater heights with the best crew possible.
Finally, there is always the satisfaction and reward of simply being inspired, or creating art for arts sake. Imagine that feeling when you hear a lyric or quote that just strikes you, or when you see a scene in a movie that makes you cry. I know a passionate singer who often talks about being in your “zone of genius.” If you’ve ever seen the 2021 Pixar movie, Soul, then you know what the “zone of genius” actually looks like. It’s what some would call your passion, or what others might call your destiny. Perhaps you’ve always had a natural aptitude for it, a lifelong obsession, or a bug in your ear. For most of us, we know what it feels like to be a part of something meaningful. Not every artistic idea or endeavor makes it to that “zone of genius” moment, but we mustn’t get discouraged. I can attest that every great artist is their own worst critic. Perhaps everything in your production didn’t go to plan, but you learned something valuable from the experience. Maybe everything went completely off the rails, but you ended up with an amazing shot. If you never try it, you’ll never know – so follow that spark of inspiration and see where it goes. It’s important that we celebrate our accomplishments and victories, but also important to remember that to err is to be human. Finding a happy medium between producing something you’re proud of, and learning lessons along the way, is something that every good artist has to experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.interstellarilluminations.com
- Instagram: @interstellar_illuminations
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interstellarilluminations
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/interstellarilluminations/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUjCzD6OpG7OhPD_5jzv67Q
Image Credits
All image credit to Emma Holt at Interstellar Illuminations