About Me: Who I Am and Why Photography?!
In this week’s blog post, I decided it was time to do a deep dive into the human behind the camera. That’s right, today’s blog is all-things Emilee Carpenter. :) If you were to ask a friend how they’d describe me, they’d say family-loving, art-making, world-traveling wedding photographer! I am a lover of life, a work-in-progress, and I seek to glorify Christ above all.
The face behind the camera: Emilee Carpenter, Upstate New York Wedding Photographer.
If you are wondering how I jumped into this amazing career of wedding and elopement photography, it all started in my senior year of high school. I bought my first camera off of a family friend and began dabbling in all types of photography in college – photojournalism, sports photography, golden years portraits, and eventually wedding photography! That’s when everything clicked for me… I just felt a SPARK when I worked with couples on the most beautiful, joyous day of their lives, and I fell in love with the art of storytelling!
When I completed my degree, I had the opportunity to work for a local Fortune 500 company, and while it was a great learning experience, it definitely wasn’t for me. I got real tired of a desk job real quick, and I slowly felt myself being drawn to my passion for photography like a magnet. I couldn’t resist the need to CREATE– to capture beauty, document laughter, and be a storyteller of things that truly mattered.
In 2019, Emilee left her corporate job to go full-time with wedding photography.
In theory, it all made sense... photography just felt right. But when I married my hunny Jon, I felt a fire burn even deeper for marriage and weddings! I realized how wonderful, vibrant, and glorious marriage is, and while it was hard, it carried a deep, cosmic meaning… it pointed to the gospel! My faith gave me context, a new lens through which I could understand marriage… it represented Christ and His Church! I yearned to build a career that I felt *this* passionate about… so I quit my day job! That’s right, I left the corporate world once-and-for-all to start up my photo business, and OOOHHH MYYYYY GOODNESSSS – it has been an adventure ever since!
Emilee and now-husband, Jon hiking on their first date together at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.
The past three years have been filled with so much joy… learning how to grow a business, earn a living as an entrepreneur, and doing something I LOVE everyday! I have traveled from the east coast to the west photographing beautiful, boutique weddings as well as off-beat, adventure elopements, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world! I’ve been able to partner with all kinds of couples, telling their love story in a unique, authentic, and meaningful way, and it has filled my cup to overflowing.
Now, after 3 years with my hunny Jon and 2.5 years into my business, we embarked on the biggest adventure of all– we created a human. Yup! In October, I gave birth to a sweet baby boy named Russell. Let me tell ya, I thought building a business was a learning curve… Russell has been the definition of learning! ;) There have been highs, lows, and everything in between (postpartum depression is no joke!), but overall, he has been the most incredible journey of my life to date.
I’m now navigating life as a mother, wife and business owner, and I’m constantly learning how to juggle the three roles with poise and balance. I seem to keep adding title upon title, but thanks be to God that with every new responsibility, He’s teaching me grace, patience, and gentleness. Each of these adventures has stretched, refined, and inspired me, and I’m so thankful for this wild, wonderful life!
A favorite wedding of Emilee's, this boutique micro-wedding was at The Inn at Taughannock in 2021.
Interested in learning more about me and what I do? Learn more HERE!!! If you’re looking to have a fun experience with a photographer who loves storytelling, I’m still booking sessions for 2023– inquire here!!!