Meet Emalee Evans

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emalee Evans. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Emalee, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

For me, discovering my purpose was a no-brainer. Honestly, I feel like one of the lucky ones. My purpose came naturally through the things I’ve loved since childhood. I was creative from a young age and developed an interest in fashion design at just ten years old. I even did my 5th-grade science fair project on fashion designers—though it definitely didn’t follow the rubric! My mom supported my passion by buying me a sewing machine and several fashion books. I still have drawings of wedding dresses I designed back then.

As I got older and got my first camera phone, my interest shifted toward photography. At 13, I started capturing random things that caught my eye, not realizing at the time just how much natural skill I had. After taking an insightful photography class in high school—and having one of my photos chosen for a county art exhibit—I knew I wanted to pursue photography as a career. Once again, my mom supported me, buying my first DSLR camera from a pawn shop.

I went on to earn an Associate’s Degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta, further confirming that photography wasn’t just my passion—it was my purpose. My projects were admired by both my peers and professors, and I felt confident that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Since then, I’ve explored other creative outlets, including painting, digital art, graphic design, and DIY projects, but photography has remained my true passion. I’ve been a professional photographer for eight years and recently opened my own studio. I’ve always known that being a creative is my purpose—it’s who I’ve been since I was a child. But now, I see an even greater purpose: making people feel good about themselves through creative portraiture and inspiring other photographers through innovative fine art photography.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Less than a year ago, I opened a fully equipped photography studio in Tucker, GA, which has since hosted over 100 bookings. Fulfilling my dream of creating a space where all creatives—and their clients—feel comfortable and inspired has been incredibly rewarding. Having my own studio has given me the freedom to fully explore my artistic vision. While I continue to do portrait photography, I’m shifting more toward fine art photography. I love crafting a story through photography, but even more, I cherish the feeling of seeing my work displayed in an exhibit and the joy or curiosity it sparks in those who view it. Over the past 18 months, my work has been featured in two pop-up exhibits, and I’m excited for more opportunities ahead. I also look forward to collaborating with passionate business owners on creative branding shoots.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three qualities that have greatly impacted my journey are tenacity, generosity, and optimism. I believe that being tenacious, hardworking, and dedicated to my goals has brought me to where I am today. Through hard work and sacrifice, I know that goals can be achieved. Many people forget to be loyal to themselves—setting goals but not taking action to reach them. Holding yourself accountable is the first step.

Being generous and selfless has allowed me to build a business that benefits not only me but others as well. It has also helped me create lasting impressions on clients, leading to referrals and repeat sessions. I always operate with good intentions, especially in business. When you lead with passion and integrity, success will follow.

Optimism is the most important quality to have, especially for those with big goals. If you don’t believe in yourself, who else will? I have never doubted that anything I set my mind to could become reality. Believe in it, work hard, and have faith that it will happen. Whenever I set a new goal, I reflect on how far I’ve come. Even small achievements are victories.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal clients are business owners and models who are bold and creatively minded—those willing to collaborate on a mood board and shot list before the session. I seek clients who don’t approach the photoshoot like a typical portrait session but as an opportunity to create a true work of art.

I love working with business owners who understand the power of imagery in elevating their brand. I also want to collaborate with models who aren’t afraid to step outside the box, trust the process, and transform into a living piece of art. I have so many ideas, and I’m excited to create and share them with art lovers around the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.photobyem.com
• Instagram: photo.byem
• Other: https://www.studio25atl.com