Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Ruth.
Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Photography has always been part of my heart since before I can even remember. I had a Barbie camera when I was two years old (and it actually took pictures!). Growing up I took photos of everything all the time. I originally thought about getting into concert and sport photography. A goal of mine is still to photograph country concerts (Brett Eldredge in particular haha) It wasn’t until my sophomore year in college that I found my love for wedding photography. As a wedding photographer, we get to witness intimate and personal moments of a couple’s love story. Documenting moments in real-time knowing they will be memories they will hold close – it’s one of the most beautiful things.
The summer of 2018 I spent researching a ton on my own about the industry and reached out to many photographers in my area to see if I could assist them in any way. I wanted to learn all I could and see if it was a) something I really wanted to do and b) get my feet wet and see from a photographer’s perspective what a wedding day looked like. That year I second shot 5 weddings, attended mentor sessions in person, and had one-on-one mentor sessions with photographers I looked up to. I ended the year booking 10 of my own weddings for the following year. But when Covid hit in 2020 it honestly felt like everything was falling apart. I graduated college that Spring and had all these weddings booked for the Fall. All the excitement I had about finally being done with school and being able to give my sole focus to my business was replaced with anxiety and fear. It was only my second year in business and I wasn’t sure I would be able to make it through. 2021 was the year of reschedules along with booking sessions to fill in between weddings. I overextended myself because I wanted my business to grow. But I learned quick that we’re humans, not machines. We can only take on so much before out bodies start to tell us it’s time for a break.
So, 2022 is the year of creating a healthy balance personally and professionally! I learned the hard way that you can’t take care of other people if you don’t take care of you. I’m blessed with so many wonderful couples and clients that let me into their lives. I get to call what I love my “job” and that’s an amazing thing. It’s definitely not easy by any means. It takes work and discipline. But, a large part of it is having faith in God’s purpose. The only way I was able to get through the past few years was holding on to God. Trusting in his timing. Trusting that everything happens how and when it’s supposed to for our good and his glory. Even if we don’t understand what he’s doing in the moment, keeping faith that he carries us through it all.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a wedding, elopement, and lifestyle photographer. I specialize in photographing weddings and elopements, but I also photograph families and portraits! One thing I’m proud of myself for is stepping outside my comfort zone by even starting my own business. Never in a million years did I think I could do that. I was always so introverted and nervous to talk to people. Connection with people is a big part of my job and I’m proud for how much I’ve grown since starting my business back in 2018.
What sets me apart is my empathy for others and how I see moments. I don’t just show up, take some pictures, and go home. Connections, interests, and values are different and shouldn’t be treated like a cookie-cutter scenario for every couple. My responsibility is to make sure my couples are at ease in front of my camera. Their only job is to relax and soak up all the emotions of their day!
How do you define success?
Success to me is having the freedom to work and live peacefully. All the hard work and hours I’m putting in now will hopefully be something my future self will thank me for. Success in my business means showing up for every client and documenting their important milestones the way they hope to remember them. I want them to be able to look back and be transported back to that moment and really feel how it felt.
Pricing:
- Weddings (starting at $2600)
- Elopements (starting at $2000)
- Engagement/Family/Portraits (starting at $250)
Contact Info:
- Email: hello.emilyruthphoto@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.emilyruthphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyruthphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyruthphoto
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/emilyruthphoto/
Image Credits
Ashley Ludwig
Emily Ruth
