When you’re a photographer, or a graphic designer, or musician, or painter, or what ever, it’s important to step away from your “paying” jobs and do something YOU want to do. Any one who knows me knows I love three things: Photography, Concerts and Traveling. When I’m not shooting I’m usually at a concert or traveling. When I’m truly fortunate I get to combine photography and travel, or photography and a concert. Here are a few of my all time favorite concert images. Some are as old as 10 years, others are from last summer. I’ve shot at small venues and The Gorge. Each location presents different challenges, and each band or artist has their own style, which is my favorite part about photographing a show. I love love LOVE photographing people. I identify with musicians, the constant creating and performing and traveling! Ah, I would be a musician if I could. And I can’t, trust me I’ve tried. That’s why I admire and envy them so much, because they have this ability that I do not. So I go to shows, and I shoot photos and I continue to dream.
Where did 2014 go?! It seems like I was doing a decent job keeping up on my Blog posts. I’d get a wedding posted within a month of the big day, family sneak peeks would be posted a week after the session and same with new born shoots and Senior sneak peeks. Here it is December, and I’m posting Thom and Christine’s wedding from August 16! I guess it just goes to show that we all get busy sometimes and get a little off track. But I’m back on track and wanted to share my good buddy’s wedding photos. Thom and I graduated together, and at our 10 year reunion he brought his lovely Aussie girlfriend. If I remember correctly they got engaged the same weekend as our reunion! Everyone was excited to talk to Thom and Christine about life in Australia. They held a wedding in Australia last winter, and then made plans for another celebration in Spokane. I was honored when they asked me to be their photographer. And throughout the planning process I got to know Christine and discover all the reasons why Thom fell in love with her. Their wedding was a blast and was the first Buddhist wedding ceremony I have ever photographed. Good thing there was a translator. After the ceremony guests congratulated the couple in the receiving line and then were treated to delicious Vietnamese and Asian appetizers made by Thom’s mother. I was having flashbacks to when we used to go to Thom’s house after school and snack on his mother’s home made treats. Sooooo yummy! It was an awesome night catching up with classmates, and making new acquaintances. I didn’t want Thom and Christine to go back to Australia! But at least we have these images to reminisce. I couldn’t be happier for Thom and Christine! I wish you guys all the joy and happiness in the world! xoxo, Emma
With it being Veteran’s Day this week, I wanted to share a beautiful photo session I captured of two Eastern Washington University ROTC students. I met Amber and Zane at Fish Lake near Cheney, Wash. earlier this fall for their session. Their big day is set for June and I have the honor of being their wedding photographer! I’m so excited to work with Amber and Zane because we have a lot in common. They’re currently attending EWU, and I am alumni. Both Amber and Zane’s fathers are, or were in the Army and my father proudly served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. I am aware of the sacrifices of our service men and women and I want to thank Amber, Zane and their fathers for their service. I look forward to meeting your families and capturing your wedding day! I loved looking through these images and picking my favorites for the blog! WOW, that ring! This year I have photographed so many unique engagement rings, and Amber’s is stunning ! Check out the beautiful garnet stone she wears on her left hand. Congrats Amber and Zane, Thank you and God Bless! xoxo, Emily
What a fun day! Congratulations to Janae and Tony! I’m so happy I got to work with these two to capture everything they wanted! This was the first wedding I had the honor of shooting at Quail Run Ranch. I was blown away by all the details and the panoramic views! It’s beautiful there, a photographers dream as far as backdrops and areas to shoot next to. I love the getting ready area for the guys, and you’ll notice that at the end of the night, Janae and Tony got to “brand” their initials into the barn wall! How cool is that?! I wish Janae and Tony all the happiness in the world! Thank you for making me a part of your special day! I enjoyed running in old acquaintances (the parents of one of my grooms from last year happened to be there!) and of course making new contacts! Cheers you two! May God Bless your marriage! Love, Emma
I was super excited when Jennifer called me to inquire about shooting her husband’s family reunion on the 5th of July. The family reunion was being held in Coeur d’ Alene and family members were coming from Texas, San Diego and Philadelphia. I love seeing families get together, especially when people are coming from all over the country, and may not see each other often. The Hoopmans chose The Clark House in Hayden, just north of Coeur d’ Alene, for their family photos. If you haven’t seen The Clark House, you should check it out! http://clarkhouse.com/ It’s a beautiful 1910 mansion with an interesting history. It over looks the lake and sounds like quite the estate back in the day! Now they host weddings and you can also dine at the Clark House, which is what the Hoopmans did after their photo shoot. When I go through these photos, I imagine the kids and grandkids looking at these photos in 10 or 20 years and reminiscing about the Hoopman family reunion in Coeur d’ Alene in 2014. I image they’ll talk about what they wore, and how their hair was, and how much younger they looked, and all those things that we all think when we look back at old photos of ourselves and our family. I absolutely love looking at family photos! To remember that day and time, and how we all looked is a great memory for me, as I hope it is for the Hoopmans and all families!
You may remember Christina and Tommy from the Blog post of their adorable engagement photos! Here’s their engagement session in case you want to check it out. http://www.efisherphoto.com/christina-tommy-engagement-session/ I loved all the personal touches they added to their big day. The cake topper said “Greatest Catch” and was 2 fishing hooks in the shape of a heart. The guys’ boutineers were hand made and incorporated fishing lures. Christina’s twin sister and maid of honor, Andrea, performed a hilarious rap/toast to the beat of “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”! Which may have been the most impressive toast I’ve ever witnessed! That’s a fast song! I love the photos of the groomsmen watching the girls sing and sway to the beat of Fresh Prince of Bel Air. The guys had their phones out and were laughing and taking photos and videos, and it’s one of those moments that will be in my mind forever. I absolutely loved Christina and Tommy’s wedding colors. When Christina presented her girls with their bridesmaids gifts and they pulled out the most beautiful turquoise necklaces I’d ever seen, I knew these photos were going to be killer! The colors work so well together! Christina’s hair and make up gals were also top notch! There was ONE make up lady and ONE hair stylist to do everyone’s make up and hair! Samantha and Annie did such a fabulous job I highly recommend them and have put their contact info at the bottom of the blog. Cheers to Christina and Tommy! I love you both very much and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you! You and your families did an amazing job putting the wedding together and I will never forget your wedding day! Xoxo, Emma
Bill and Sheyenne’s wedding was a special one for me. When you are a wedding photographer your network grows and you end up working with lots of families and people who all know each other. If you’re a good wedding photographer you get to be “thee” wedding photographer for the same circle of friends. That’s what has happened with Sheyenne’s circle. I am so lucky to be in their circle. A few years ago I shot Sheyenne’s brother’s wedding. He happened to marry my friend Sara, whom I have known since high school! When Sam and Sara got married that’s when I was introduced to the Hale family. And life has never been the same … no, just kidding! Sara has been an awesome source of business for me, and I am indebted to her forever. I don’t know if photographers thank their loyal clients often, but I cannot thank Sheyenne and Sara and their families enough! In May I got to go to Vegas for Sheyenne’s bachelorette party and there I met her other bridesmaids and friends. Having spent a few days away from the “formal” and somewhat professional setting of bride-photographer relationship, I felt a close connection to Sheyenne on her wedding day. When she put her wedding gown on I started tearing up, and that’s always a sure sign that I know I am right where I am meant to be! It’s an absolute honor to be a part of a bride and groom’s wedding day, and that’s something I never forget. I thank God every day that I get to do what I do. Cheers Sheyenne and Bill! Thank you for your friendship and I know you’ll have all the happiness and love a couple can have in a marriage! God Bless! Love you! Xoxo, Emma
“We Choose Forever” is what the banner said that hung from the head table. I wish Matt and Jessi all the best as they start their married life together! You may recognize this couple from the blog I posted of their engagement photo session. You can see it here: http://www.efisherphoto.com/jessi-matt-engagement-session/ For their engagement photos they included an antique bike, shots at the old library, books and their dog Niko. And when they displayed their engagement photos at the wedding the theme was carried on beautifully! You’ll notice we took photos by the book shelves at Bozarth, the cake topper was a bicycle, and the centerpieces were composed of flowers, books and quotes from novels. Matt and Jessi chose not to see each other until the ceremony and the emotions were high as Matt lifted Jessi’s vale and took her hand from her mom and dad. Matt and Jessi’s wedding was especially fun for me because a lot of my long time friends were there to celebrate! I even got to see past clients and catch up. You’ll see the progression of, um, fun as the photos go on. Enjoy these images! These photos are proof of a great wedding, with amazing people and a night we won’t forget. Thank you Matt and Jessi for allowing me the honor of being your photographer (and friend!) I can’t wait to work with you in the future, I know I’ll be seeing you guys soon! Cheers! Love ya! Emma
So the day had finally arrived, Linsday and Geoff’s wedding. I shot their engagement photos in November on a snowy day. Lindsay and Geoff’s engagement photos can be see here: http://www.efisherphoto.com/lindsay-geoff-engagement-photos/ The weather for their wedding was the complete opposite from their engagement session. It was sunny and gorgeous. Everyone was running ahead of schedule, which as everyone knows, never happens! The whole thing went off with out a hitch! Even their dog was being cute, walking under Lindsay’s dress as she was about to put it on! This wedding is a must see! Meadowinds was the venue, the bride and groom’s Scottish heritage served as the theme and colors, and the Scottish heritage was carried through with a bag pipper! So cool! I also loved the personal touches with the hand cuffs (symbolizing Lindsay’s profession as a police officer) and a road flare (Geoff’s profession as a firefighter). Oh and let’s not forget the ambulance crew! They always bring the party!!! Congrats to Lindsay and Geoff! Cheers! xoxo, Emma
Shooting a wedding on a day other than a Saturday is a bonus. I can honestly say I have shot a wedding every day of the week. It’s common to have a wedding on Labor Day, but I was surprised when Andrea’s family contacted me to ask about shooting a wedding on a Monday in MAY! “Sure I can do that”, I told them. I’m happy everything worked out the way it did. Andrea, Adam, their friends and family enjoy themselves just like they would have at a wedding that was on a Saturday. The day of the week doesn’t matter, I mean after all, your anniversary isn’t always going to be on a Saturday! I enjoyed shooting in the Nectar room with it’s modern chandeliers, brick walls, and illuminated wine barrels. Plus it’s in a prime location downtown next to cool ally ways and Riverfront Park. Congratulations to Andrea and Adam wishing you all the best in your new life together! Cheers! Emily
