Conversations with Emily Walters

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Walters. 

Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
In 2008 I got married, and I did all my own florals for the wedding. I’ve always loved flowers and gardening, but my own wedding was my first event working with flowers on a large scale. Although it was stressful, I loved it and started doing wedding floral full time soon after. Emmy-ray Design Studio was my wedding and event floral business and I did it for 9+ years. After starting my family, I decided to take a step back from the event side of design and started teaching floral workshops through my next business The Bloom Academy. These in-person workshops were a full experience and included food, cocktails, and lots floral arranging on a range of different topics. When the pandemic hit, I decided to once again shift gears. I was looking for a way to stretch myself creatively, and although I couldn’t teach workshops, I was still drawn to flowers. I started creating floral compositions and photographing them. I decided to start offering a floral preservation service on a commission basis. For example, couples can capture their wedding florals in a fine art print they can keep as a memory of their day. Or a homeowner can preserve blooms from their beautiful garden. Flowers are so fleeting and ephemeral, so photographing them is the perfect way to preserve them forever. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting out a floral and event business was a steep learning curve. Fortunately, I was able to find some experienced designers who were kind enough to answer all my questions, and help me with those bumps along the way. I think the next hardest struggle was deciding whether I wanted to keep doing weddings and events. I struggled with the decision for a long time, but ultimately, I think leaving the industry was one of the best decisions for me creatively. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
With EVERBLOOM PHOTO I’ve been able to look at flowers in a new way, completely different from wedding and event floral, or workshops. I think my background in floral design gives me a special appreciation of flowers, which allows me to create compositions that showcase each blooms unique beauty. I also really love working with clients creating special commissions. Capturing the florals from their home, or wedding day allows them to keep these blooms, which would be so short-lived, as a memory they can have forever. 

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
A few years ago, I came across the work of Susan McLeary (@passionflowersue), and I was blown away. As a floral designer and educator, she is amazing both technically and with her design eye, creating truly incredible works of floral art. I’ve also been inspired for years by Bornay, a floral design studio in Barcelona. The way they put together colors and the floral types they choose are really beautiful, fresh, and modern. From a photography (and still floral) perspective, Jamie Beck is such an inspiration as well. I appreciate her patience for creating compositions and her editing skills are magic. 

Contact Info:

• Email: everbloomphoto@gmail.com
• Website: http://www.everbloomphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everbloomphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Everbloom-Photo-110896444711855

Image Credits
Morgan Miller Photography
EVERBLOOM PHOTO
Behold Visual