Behind the Lens - Emily Holmes, Photographer
Today I would like to introduce a friend of mine, Emily Holmes, a wedding photographer based in Memphis, TN. Emily and I first met at church when I had just moved to Memphis, and Emily was planning her own wedding. Since she was still trying to figure out the floral aspect of the plans, she ended up hiring me to help bring her creative vision to reality. The Holmes wedding was the first wedding I did in Memphis!
After that, Emily was a supporter and referrer for me. During the 3 years I lived in Memphis, I did a few other projects with Emily, including an editorial she organized, which was published in Southern Bride Magazine.
I have long admired Emily’s professionalism, kindness and hustle as she has grown her photography services into a full-time, in-demand business. Upon my request for an interview, Emily has taken the time to answer some probing questions about her work and life.
Interview with Emily Holmes
What inspired you to start a wedding photography business?
10 years ago I stepped into the world of wedding photography and branded myself under the name "Fernweh Photography". That name served me well for many years and then after meeting and marrying my now husband Brian 5 years ago, I made the switch to Emily Holmes Weddings-- a simpler and easier-to-remember name to represent me and my brand!
I first pursued this career when I was in a season of needing a flexible job and it's since grown with me through many life changes! My husband and I have one son and in this season of life, my business- though currently a full time endeavor- still provides the flexibility needed to facilitate all the dynamics of having a young child. We are so thankful for this!
How do you balance your wedding work with other aspects of your life, such as family?
Balancing work and family is a very tricky dynamic that we have to re-evaluate multiple times a year. It isn't something where I feel like I'll ever "arrive" since every new season brings new dynamics. But putting disciplines and boundaries in place in regards to client communication, production deadlines and work hours has helped greatly.
What tools do you use for business success?
I have prioritized outsourcing tasks this year- evaluating anything my workflow requires (unrelated to direct client contact/service) that can be done by someone else on my behalf. In addition to adding an assistant to my team, there are a few programs I love which have allowed me to serve my clients well and still having time for family & things I love. Programs such as ImagenAI, Photographer's Edit, UseSession, HoneyBook & StoryTailor are all game changers!
Throughout my career, my main desire has been to serve couples intentionally both leading up to and on their wedding day. This often looks like helping them create timelines, recommending vendors, thinking through best ways to facilitate tricky family photos, ensuring they get intimate time together on their wedding day, and being a jack of all trades to make sure things go smoothly! Recognizing that most of my clients haven't been in front of a professional camera in years, much less ever planned a wedding before gives me the opportunity to educate & coach them along the way to ensure they have the best experience working with me. After listening to a client's dreams and desires for their wedding day, the biggest thing I work towards is covering all the bases and communicating how I can bring my expertise to SERVE them throughout this journey. It's my goal to make sure that by the wedding day, they feel comfortable with me and ultimately KNOW that they can trust me to capture everything from getting ready to reception, portraits to candids! If they're still sending me nervous photo lists a few weeks before the wedding, I haven't done my job right!
What is the best advice you can give to clients to prep for having their photos taken with you?
When it comes to helping them feel confident and comfortable in front of my camera, the best advice I can give them is to stay focused on one another. As I lead each couple through various prompts and activities, authentic emotion and laughter naturally spills over if they're able to embrace what makes them unique as a couple!
You recently had your 10 year business anniversary! Can you describe what that journey has been like for you?
My 10th season as a wedding photographer has been from low to high and everything in between! 6 weeks into the year, our home was broken into and every single piece of my gear stolen except for hard drives! Thankfully, no client images were lost but needless to say, it wasn't a fun way to start the year! Despite that discouraging set back, the Lord has continued to provide over and over in so many ways and I'm set to finish the year with my largest roster of clientele yet! I also had the opportunity to photograph my second European wedding in Normandy, France this summer which was incredible in its own right and gave Brian and I the excuse to get a little traveling and sightseeing in with friends!
As we get closer to the end of this year, I've been reflecting quite a bit on what I've experienced the last 10 years through this journey. Ultimately, the greatest thing I've learned (and continue to learn) is to trust that the Lord knows who and what my client list is supposed to look like each year. Likewise, trusting that if He's given me a vocation and gifting to steward--- then He will continue to go before my steps until He makes it clear that this season is over! So grateful that I have the chance to capture such significant mile stones for couples & families- it's the biggest honor!
