Daily Inspiration: Meet Emily Fry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Fry

Hi Emily, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I feel like I’ve always been a creative at heart—even as a little kid, I found so much joy in my imagination and in creating things. Growing up, I was involved in theater productions, vocal performances, and my church’s creative ministry. It was actually during high school at church that I first picked up a camera. At the time, I had no idea how much that spark of interest in visual storytelling would come to shape my life.

After spending about six years working in the creative ministry at my church, I began craving a new way to express myself creatively in my personal life. So I picked up a camera again! I loved it so much that I started offering shoots to friends and family. Around the same time, two of my brothers got engaged, and I offered to take their engagement photos. That experience was a game-changer—it was the first time I realized just how much I loved storytelling through the art of photography, as well as the process of directing and editing the images.

Growing up, my mom was involved in the wedding and event industry, and I remember hearing her stories about the weddings she’d been a part of. As I got older, helping her direct events from time to time was one of my favorite things. This, combined with my newfound passion for photography, naturally led me to wedding photography. I was excited but also intimidated—photographing weddings is obviously a huge responsibility. But I was determined to learn. I dove into research, watched countless YouTube videos, and created an Instagram and website to showcase my work. Along the way, I sought education and mentorship from other photographers. One mentorship in particular was with an incredible photographer and now friend of mine, Morgan Long. The conversations I had with Morgan really helped me overcome my doubts and gave me a vision for what my business could look like. It empowered me to believe in myself and push past my comfort zone.

I officially launched my photography business in 2021, but it wasn’t until late 2023 that I made the leap to pursue weddings full-time. Now, as I enter my second year as a wedding photographer, I can honestly say that I love it more than I did when I first started. Every wedding I capture feels like a privilege, and it’s been an incredible journey watching my business grow and evolve in this beautiful industry.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like anything worth pursuing, the road has definitely had its ups and downs. I knew that chasing my dreams wouldn’t come without moments of doubt. I’ve experienced failures that have tempted me to quit, and even imposter syndrome that has made me want to shrink back. That being said, the number one struggle for me personally has been comparing myself to others.

There are so many incredibly talented people in the wedding industry with amazing gifts and creativity. It can be hard when being inspired by another photographer shifts into thoughts like, “I could never be like them.” I’ve learned to be mindful of how much time I spend on social media. If I feel myself slipping into a comparison mindset, I try to step back and take some time away from it. As photographers in the wedding industry, I think it’s so important we cheer each other on and wholeheartedly want the best for our peers. Truly becoming confident in who I am—both as an artist and as a person—and focusing on creating work that is authentic to me, has helped me overcome that struggle and stay focused on my own journey.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a wedding and portrait photographer based in the Raleigh area. My mission is to capture heartfelt moments for couples and individuals that desire an authentic and memorable experience by delivering timeless images, with an artistic and cinematic flair. I am dedicated to quality in experience as well as product, and am guided by my values of integrity, creativity, and generosity. I believe one of the things that makes my approach unique is that it’s incredibly important to me that my clients don’t just receive amazing images, but feel valued throughout the process of working together. My hope and prayer is that in every session, my clients feel uplifted and have a memorable, comfortable experience, having fun while their story is being documented.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are several ways people can work with or support me! If you’re looking to book a wedding or session, you can reach out to me through my website at emilyfryphotography.com or connect with me on Instagram at @emilyfryphoto.

If you’re a fellow photographer or creative, I’m always open to collaboration! Whether it’s a styled shoot, a mentorship opportunity, or sharing insights and ideas, I believe in supporting and growing alongside others in the industry.

Lastly, simply following me on Instagram, sharing my work with friends, or leaving a kind review if we’ve worked together are so appreciated. Every bit of support, big or small, means the world to me!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emilyfryphotography.com/
• Instagram: @emilyfryphoto
• Facebook: @emilyfryphoto