Emma Mae and Josh McDaniel. Photographs that matter.
How to shoot photographs that really matter.
We didn’t set out to shoot beautiful maternity photos, that would be way too easy. We set out to be friends. Emma Mae Jenkins McDaniel and Josh McDaniel are kind of famous around Northwest Arkansas. These two people have left a wake of positivity, love, and perspective that is so enormous especially for how young they are but while so many people around the world know them because of Emma’s speaking dates or books or podcast I’ve had the opportunity to really get to know them on a much more unique level. I met Emma for the very first time the day of her wedding. I’ll never forget walking into the lodge at Sassafras Springs Winery, saying hi to Max and the bridesmaids all wandering around and then seeing the most beautiful smile light up from the back of the room. The hug that I got in that moment was absolutely legendary. If you can’t handle not knowing what I’m talking about and want a sneak peek you should see another article I wrote all about how to be the BEST second photographer at a wedding using Emma and Josh’s wedding photos as the backbone! (CLICK HERE TO CHECK THAT OUT)
ANYWAY, from that very first hug things were just in motion. Since then the friendship has just been simple. I’d had a chance to photograph Emma for her T-shirt line (CHECK THOSE OUT HERE BECAUSE THEY’RE AWESOME). I’ve had the chance to photograph Emma for some branding stuff for her publisher and website and when Emma found out that they were expecting a baby I had this enormous pleasure of having the chance to photograph them for their pregnancy announcement. All of those fun little memories jumping around from place to place and seeing Emma’s love for life just light up in front of my camera were amazing but there’s no question that this was my very favorite shoot with them yet. Emma was created to be a mom, there’s no doubt in my mind and when this beautiful little baby girl comes into the world the amount of love and support waiting for her gives me chills.
I will say that this shoot did bring up a story I’ve wanted to tell for awhile though. Jared and I were recently chatting about this incredible year long opportunity we have had to photograph an amazing story up in Missouri (I’ll be sharing more about that soon) but spoiler alert it has absolutely nothing to do with weddings or wedding photography. I think what we’ve both really realized over the course of the last year is that the reason our hearts are so invested in our wedding couples is because of the stories they have to tell. Those photographs matter in the most sincerely legacy oriented way and that pressure drives us both to really lean in and do a great job on them for the people who give us that access. In the past I’ve always kind of compartmentalized commercial work, portrait work, and weddings and I’ve always found myself drawn to weddings - except - that’s sometimes not the case. Why? Well this session with Emma was a perfect example. I’m not sure I’d ever say I was a sucker for a maternity shoot, though if you’ve like this one you should totally check out THIS ONE too because I have been known to shoot some cool ones… (I digress) But what has connected the maternity sessions that I have loved? The people. The stories. The same answer for the commercial clients I’ve worked with over the last ten years that have really stood the test of time, and the same answer for this new mystery client I’ll be blogging about soon. The people.
And so I realized.
I’m not a wedding photographer - I’m a photographer who tells stories of people.
In the most intimate, most vulnerable, most important moments of their lives. I thrive off of seeing purpose fulfilled, seeing people settle into a moment confident that they are exactly where, and who they were meant to be. My creativity is fed when it’s surrounded by the authentic and I think that’s a beautiful thing because it resonates so much with you. Right? The people who see the images, who feel the feels, who laugh the laughs and who cry the tears and who sometimes - maybe often - don’t even know the faces in the photographs. You’re the reason we keep telling these stories. So I’ll wrap up this blog by saying something specifically to you.
If you find yourself frustrated by the vacuum of self serving people on social media, if you’re friendships aren’t as deep or as fulfilling as you wish they were, if your job is a grind or your life feels heavy or you simply wish there was more good in the world…
Find an Emma and Josh. Find people who love people. Trust it. Learn to accept that joy comes naturally and authentically and that you can accept it and be a part of it and enjoy it too. Trust that when you surround yourself with joy yours will come with it and start to distance yourself from the sarcasm, the cynicism, and the arrogance of people who speak to hear themselves talk.
Find your story. There are people out here just like me that thrive off of learning from people just like you. Seeing you grow, change, try things, fail, succeed. Instagram may tell you that your story disappears every 24 hours but I can promise you that every day you pursue a life filled with purpose and intentionality you get closer to moments just like this one for Emma where joy, and present, and future all come together to the sound of beautiful laughter and an evening breeze.
Thanks for showing up in here reader! No idea who you are - but I’m so glad you came. CLICK HERE to connect with me directly and start up a conversation, I can’t wait to hear from you soon!
