Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Victoria Grimes.
Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I was never the main character in my story. All I know is how to hide my truest nature from the world. One summer day in 2017, I picked up my then-boyfriend’s camera and took a photo of him. At that moment, I realized I needed to do more with this. It felt so natural to forever capture a moment in time of someone as they were living in a moment of their life, unapologetically. That is how Emvious Stills became a part of my life. I lived vicariously through my clients and reveled in the moments of pure joy and engagement they experienced during their sessions. I would then return home to edit their photos and live through them all over again. Over time, experiencing so much joy from my clients helped me realize my passion for living a life driven by joy. Emvious Stills has always been more than just a photography business for me. It’s been a path forward to help me grow into who I am today. It has inspired me to give back as much as possible to my clients and the world around me. To help everyone embrace their most unapologetically candid truths.
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has most definitely been a challenging road. I have been luckier than most, but everything Emvious Stills has become because of how much my clients love the space I create for them. There are many challenges to maintaining a successful photography business, especially in an industry that relies almost solely on word-of-mouth recommendations. I have always strived to be the most accessible photographer possible for my clients, both fiscally and personally. Over the years, as my skill has improved, something that has held me back is realizing that the quality of my work is worth more than what I was charging for my services. As a Woman-owned small business, that needs to be discussed more—realizing when the value of the work you’re providing outweighs the compensation. Another struggle has been wrapping my head around all the business aspects of owning a business. That sounds ridiculous and could qualify me for the next World’s Most Obvious Statement award, but hear me out. Having a passion for something and creating a business around it is incredibly stressful and often changes the degree of passion held. Wrapping your passion up in a package filled with taxes and invoices and budgeting – knowing that no one knows how much work actually goes into being a photographer.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Emvious Stills is a small, Woman-Owned Photography Business based out of Knightdale, North Carolina. This business was built on the backbone of being an advocate for topics that truly matter. Topics include women empowerment, LGBTQA+, Mental health, feminism, and body positivity, to name a few. When I was able to look back on all of the moments in my life where I felt true emotions, I became able to relive them in a way. I specialize in Family Photography, but my experience is every bit as unique as I am. I photograph weddings, engagements, proposals, couples, animals, sporting events; you name it – I have probably photographed it at one point. My style is natural and moody in terms of both editing and posing. Because every session is unique and every client’s story is different, I arrive at each session the best and most genuine version of myself I can be to make the experience that much better for each person I serve. When you work with Emvious Stills, you receive an experience unlike any other. Our sessions will be filled to the brim with laughter and joy. Candid living is the cornerstone of each of my client’s experiences.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My extroverted and empathetic nature is pivotal to my success. Human connection is an important part of being a photographer, and being extroverted and empathic makes me more effective at connecting with my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emviousstills.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emviousstills/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emviousstills/
Image Credits
Emily Victoria of Emvious Stills
