We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emma McLaughlin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emma, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

For what I have chosen to do in life, staying committed to the practice of photography is what it takes to truly be successful in this field. Ever since I took an initial interest in the art of photography from a young age, I knew I wanted to utilize a visual method to communicate my ideas about art, beauty, stories, fashion, and many other points. I always felt I was better able to communicate those concepts through a creative method rather than just words. I remember receiving my first camera at sixteen years old and consistently dragging my friends out to photograph them around the city, in nature, alongside interesting textures and details, and so on. I always gawk looking back on those images to this day, but it serves as a very strong visual example that staying committed to the practice and methodology of your craft will allow you to grow vastly. No matter how tired and draining things can get in life, never ever put that camera down. You want to be able to do your craft with your eyes closed but remain strong enough to not fall into the trap of perfectionism. Everything you do and make will not be your best, but continuing to produce and practice different processes and techniques will continue to sharpen your skillset- all of which will make your craft unique to you!

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?

From a young age, I had always taken an interest in several different creative practices. I started with a strong love for drawing, particularly animals. I enjoyed going to the library to check out books about my favorite animals and taking them home to draw them. I am surrounded by many others in my family who are gifted with drawing genes, and I like to attribute them for the small skill set I hold. From there, I started to learn about the art of photography, and how that technique allows you to communicate any topic or idea imaginable. I took a quick and strong interest in this form of making, as I knew I wanted to share my creative visions and thoughts with the world (as well as help others bring their beautiful moments and stories to life). I started with a strong interest in journalism and architecture photography but sought to connect and dip into my creative side further with portraiture, fashion, and lifestyle work- all of which my work is rooted around today. I thoroughly enjoy taking a client’s ideas and wishes to life through beautifully timeless work that individuals can look back on for years to come. I always want potential clients to know that no idea is too funky, weird, or different, but just unique to you!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Something I am still trying to shake off is the curse of comparison and perfectionism! It truly is so easy to fall into a deep pit of comparing your work to those around you who are in the same field. Social media is a terrible rut that quickly allows you to compare your work to others, to note that you may not be receiving the same opportunities as those around you, and to see that your skills may not be near another creative who you look up to- but we all have to realize that everyone starts somewhere! These things are not perfected overnight, and your visions and concepts may be different from those around you! It is so important to not get discouraged but to keep pushing to create and continually work. Never get so comfortable in your field that you quit picking your tools up to create even through the slower days.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Something I think non-creative individuals fail to understand about our careers is that it is never simply creating and calling it a day. We are not all the stress-free and happy individuals that I think society misconcepts successful career-seeking artists to be. It isn’t just snapping some images, making a client happy, washing, and repeating. It’s wondering why you work tirelessly for years perfecting your craft and not managing to get a call back from the forty-two job applications you have submitted. It’s also the tiring hidden backend work that comes with pursuing a creative career. Often times we are our own social media team, as well as our own marketing department, as well as our own bookkeeper and organizer, and so on. All of that is to say that those who have managed to make a living from their creative pursuits are those who are strongly committed to producing their craft and work for consumers all around. I always enjoy getting non-creatives to think further about how drab and boring life would be without artists, directors, songwriters, and so on. We are everywhere!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://emclaughlinphoto.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmamclaughlinphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmamclaughlinphoto
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmamclaughlinphoto/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@emmamclaughlinphoto