Check Out Emma Hoyt-Lowrey’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Hoyt-Lowrey.

Hi Emma, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I was a senior in high school, my best friend at the time needed senior photos taken last minute and we decided to borrow my grandma’s camera and run around our small hometown taking pictures. I stayed up all night going through them and editing them and then we went out the next day and did it again.

I was hooked. Capturing someone’s beauty and making them see themselves the way you see them is one of the best feelings in the world. I convinced more of my friends to do shoots with me and would post them all online.

Then, that summer, only two months later while working at a grocery store I had someone come in and say “I want you to take my family’s photos and I’ll pay you $50” – sold! I couldn’t believe that one, someone saw my photos and wanted me to make some for them and two, that they would pay me for it!? (back then $50 was a big deal for me) I was only 18 years old and realized I could do what I love and also make a living doing it. Isn’t that the dream?

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Having a business in general is not always easy but it’s (almost) always worth it. Experiencing burnout is not only normal but expected I think. You just have to remind yourself that the art is more important than any money you might make. Continuing to do personal projects in between paid work can help remind you why you started in the first place. And I’d say photography in general is a great business to be in because it’s so personal. I have close relationships with most of my clients and a lot of them come see me multiple times a year. Watching families expand and babies grow up as you capture them makes every struggle I face 100% worth it.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in children/families and high school seniors! I would say I’m known for the warm tones of my work and I love to capture candid shots of people – especially littles! I don’t want your kid to just sit still and fake a smile the whole time! I want to capture them running around, making funny faces, laughing, and expressing genuine joy and emotion. That’s probably what I’m most proud of as well, how I work with kids and capture their authentic selves. That’s the most important thing to me.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for photographers just starting out is to find what you love to take photos of and then practice on that. Whether it’s flowers, babies, animals, couples, etc. As soon as you can, if you want to do this professionally, start learning how to shoot in manual and get your photos right in-camera before editing. I took a very long time to learn those things and it would’ve made my job so much easier if I had learned right away. Most importantly, just have fun with it and remember that art of any kind is subjective. As long as YOU love it and it makes you feel something, you’re doing it right.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://goldandgrainphotography.com/investment
• Instagram: goldandgrainphotography
• Facebook: Gold + Grain Photography

Image Credits
Gold + Grain Photography