Check out Emily-Melissa’s Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily-Melissa Walker.

Emily-Melissa Walker, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My first name *is* Emily-Melissa, but I go by Emily. Though I was born here in Chicago and mostly grew up on the west side, I’ve lived somewhat of a nomadic life. We moved a lot growing up — by the time I returned to the city at 13, I had lived in 5 other cities in two different states and attended about 13 different schools.

I graduated from both Roberto Clemente Community Academy and Loyola University Chicago with a degree in Psychology & Gender Studies. Immediately after college, I moved to San Diego with my then boyfriend, worked for a state lawmaker, then as an administrative assistant. We married, moved to the east coast where I worked as a financial analyst, had a beautiful little boy, I quit my job to pursue photography professionally, we separated, and in the last two weeks I’ve moved back from our last home together in Washington, DC. Now, I’m doing what I love to do in the place I love the most.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m a photographer. I do a lot of client work in the form of portrait, special event, wedding photography and I do some fine art photography as well. Photography is my journey to find beauty everywhere, in everything, and in every moment.

Moving so often as a kid and the constant shifting of my family’s dynamics due to divorces created an environment in which I was super conscious of the passage of time. I’d struggle with living in the present because I was so wrapped up in being concerned about what was coming next. When I got my first camera when I was about nine, taking photos helped me learn to live in the present. It was a way to preserve moments, thoughts, and feelings. I like to believe that I’m able to provide this peace of mind to my clientele. They get to be in the moment without the pressure of memorializing it.

In short, the ephemerality of life and nature serves as both my inspiration and the message in my work.

Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
I wouldn’t necessarily say that the role of artists has changed. However, when the social and political climate are particularly divisive, I think the role of art itself becomes greater.

It’s hard to say precisely how these different factors affect my work and which elements would be the result of my personal life. I will say that 2017 was an especially pivotal year for a lot of us on many fronts. At the time of the inauguration, I was living in the nation’s capital. It was a day that was felt collectively surreal. The months that followed were accompanied with a blurring of many, many lines. I don’t think that I was alone in feeling lost. As a result, I’ve been more intentional in both my captures and in my edit style. It’s reflective of the person I’ve become – bold, moody, but still vibrant and lively.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
At some point soon, I hope to have my work displayed in one of the local galleries. For now, you can follow me on social media! And, of course, if you love my work book me! Or contact me about purchasing one of my non-client pieces.

instagram.com/em.tog
facebook.com/emilymelissaphotography
emilymelissaphoto.com

Contact Info:

• Website: emilymelissaphoto.com
• Phone: 2026437760
• Email: info@emilymelissaphoto.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/em.tog
• Facebook: facebook.com/emilymelissaphotography

Image Credit:
Photo of Emily-Melissa courtesy of Miranda Photography
All other photos by Emily-Melissa Photography

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