It’s always so amazing to see the work of women who put their heart and soul into their businesses. The things that catch my eye when looking for my ambassadors – women who work hard, are willing to put themselves out there for what they love and believe in, support other women, and are just, well, all around amazing? Every one of the women on the team are all of these and more, and I’m excited to share a bit about brand ambassador and photographer Emily Ockwig today!
I love following Emily’s adventures day to day – her honesty is super refreshing, and her hustle is totally inspiring. Being a mom is tough, rewarding, and totally worth it – Emily rocks the mom thing, while building her photography business. And you can tell that family connections are a huge inspiration for her work! HAve I also mentioned that I’m jealous of her local tribe? Emily has a beautiful ability to connect with other moms to create an awesome community for her and her family. (And psst! I love how her etsy shop is growing – filled with inspiring quotes and beautiful prints! Be sure to check it out further down the post!)
Emily is a “mostly stay at home” wife and mom to two ridiculously wonderful kids, a part-time professional photographer and a “nap-time” Etsy store owner selling typography and photography prints of things that make her smile. Emily loves taking pictures and brings her camera everywhere. She says “I am so, so thankful that people trust these memories, their tiny toes, their little smiles, in my hands.” To see Emily’s work visit her site Everbranch Photography.
How long have you been a photographer?
I’ve been shooting professionally for one year, passionately for four years now. I also opened an Etsy store (www.everbranch.etsy.com) in June, which has been such a fun creative outlet.
What made you decide to pursue photography?
When my daughter was born, I knew I wanted to get good photos of her. We had professional photos done twice a year, but I needed the daily moments, too. I took a “mamarazzi” class with a local photographer to go over the basics of shooting in manual mode. I started taking pictures and I just didn’t stop.
About a year and a half ago, I had several friends approach me about taking photos FOR them, something I hadn’t even considered. I didn’t think I was enough of a photographer to do it for other people, I’d always just done it for me. With some strong encouragement and some wonderful friends, a girlfriend and I took the plunge and started Everbranch Photography one afternoon and I haven’t looked back since.
How has your photography evolved over the years?
I’ve improved a lot over the years. This year, I committed to a Project 366, my New Year’s resolution. I’m working hard this year on taking photos every day of my children doing something that’s important to them, catching them in the moment and capturing the spirit and honesty of real life. It’s definitely sparked an interest in lifestyle-type work, even if it’s just my own. I’m working on stepping out of my comfort zones and working on challenging lighting, playing with shadows, and wider angle lenses to get the most of the story in the picture.
What kind of camera(s) do you own and what role do they play in your life?
I am a total Nikon girl and bring one of my two everywhere I go. I have a Nikon D3S that I love dearly. It comes with me everywhere. I am so, so thankful to love photography as much as I do and be in the habit of bringing on all of our adventures because the moments that I capture along the way are priceless. Lately I’ve been pairing it with my Nikkor 35 f/2 for portability sake, but I’ve been using my 50 mm 1.4 more and my Sigma Art lenses when I’m feeling really ambitious.
What do you love most about your bluebird chic strap?
My Bluebird Chic scarf strap makes lugging around a heavy camera and lens so much easier because I can wear it cross body and spread it out over my shoulder. This is really helpful when I’m carrying my camera, a bag, and a toddler around.
You’ll find Emily rocking the boho stripe scarf camera strap, which is a great fit with her fun personality and trendy style. She says, “I wear a lot of greys and blacks, so it’s a fun way for me to add some color to my otherwise bland wardrobe.”
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And as part of our Mother’s Day Sale you can save 20% on Emily’s ambassador pick or any other style you might have your eye on!
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Thanks for sharing with us today Emily and thanks for supporting the bluebird chic brand!
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