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

Emma , appreciate you joining us today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?

I have more than one hero in my life that I look up to. The people I consider my heroes are mentors I have had. Each of them have taught and showed me a lot of new techniques and good advice to help me navigate my photography career. A lesson I have learned from one of my heroes is that you will never be the best. Once you believe you’re the best then you lose the motivation to keep growing and moving forward to continue to be the best you can be. This has helped me along my journey in my career because I know I can always be my best, but there is never an end to that. You can always keep learning and achieve more.

An experience that changed my career would be from going to help work at the NFR with one of my heroes. The NFR is a big deal to go shoot at. I was chosen to help one of my heroes work the NFR this last December and it was truly life changing. It was a great experience and we worked really hard everyday. It also taught me that this is a big deal and I have made it to the top, but this is not where the work stops. I would remind myself everyday for those ten days of working the event that the work does not stop. I would continue to push myself to do better for the next day.

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?

I started shooting photography at a young age. I enjoyed taking photos of everything and as I got older the hobby became a passion. I went to college for photography and retouching and graduated with 3 associates in the field. I currently work in photography and have recently branched out to video as well. I do a lot of freelance work with clients and also have a full-time position as a photographer, retoucher, and videographer at NRS. I specialize in Rodeo/Equine and Western Fashion/Lifestyle Photography. I would say I am better known for my western lifestyle work and I am starting to make my way more into the rodeo side of things. I am most proud of my rodeo and fashion work because of the challenges I have faced when shooting those types of subjects. What sets me a part from others is that I am always looking for ways to step outside the norm with my work.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think the most rewarding aspect about being an artist is that I am getting to do what I love day in and day out. Even with all the hardships and failures that can come along with the work. At the end of the day it is always great to be doing what I love no matter what.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

There are books and articles from other photographers that I look at that help with inspiration along my journey. I really enjoy Albert Watson photography books. He is a high-end fashion photographer. A lot of his work has given me inspiration when it comes to my western fashion I am trying to create. I also enjoy Anouk Krantz photography books. Her work is western lifestyle. She inspires me for western and rodeo lifestyle.

Contact Info:

• Website: emmasitzman.com
• Instagram: @emmasitzman.photos