Hi, I'm Emma,


and I'm passionate about documenting the connection between people, their adventures, and the places that make them feel most alive, all while creating stunning timeless artwork you'll treasure for generations.

Art has always been woven into my life. From woodworking to photography to painting, creativity runs deep in my family, passed down through generations like a treasured heirloom. It was only natural that I found my own love for the arts at a young age.

By high school, I knew art wasn’t just a hobby, it was where my heart felt most at home. After years spent refining my drawing and painting skills, I picked up a camera… and everything shifted. I fell instantly in love with the way a single frame could hold emotion, light, and story all at once. From that moment on, I couldn’t put it down.

In 2009, after graduating high school, I set out to deepen my understanding of the arts. I attended UW–Fond du Lac, studying fine art for two years and immersing myself in creative growth. Beyond the classroom, I devoted countless hours to learning from respected photographers, continually refining my craft and discovering my voice behind the lens.

In January 2018, I officially launched Emma Therese Photography. Based in Waupun, Wisconsin, I specialize in warm, natural light lifestyle photography rooted in authenticity and connection. Over the years, I’ve been honored to see my work published several times, but more than anything, I’m grateful to do what I love every single day.

A Little More About Me


When I’m not behind the camera, my family is my whole world. I’m a wife to my amazing husband, Jason, and a mom to two beautiful, wild-hearted kiddos. I’m also an avid outdoor adventurer. We love traveling, camping, hiking, and embracing just about any excuse to be outside together.


Our home life is simple and full. We spend time in our garden, growing the food we eat. We delight in watching our children live boldly and freely. We connect with the land through our shared outdoor passions. Most of all, we cherish the time we have together and thank God for the life we’ve been given.


Beyond photography and creating stunning images, I'm passionate about many creative pursuits—drawing, ceramics, oil painting, reading, rock hounding, baking and cake decorating, collecting antiques, and listening to just about every genre of music imaginable. As a neurodivergent creative, (yes I embrace my neurospicy self) I've always experienced the world through a lens of curiosity, deep observation, and appreciation for the details that others often overlook. It's a perspective that not only fuels my creativity but also influences the way I approach photography, helping me notice meaningful moments, intricate details, and authentic connections as they naturally unfold.

One of my favorite quotes by Jean-Michel Basquiat is, “Art is how we decorate space; music is how we decorate time.” I've always found those words deeply true. They beautifully reflect the vibrant, creative life I strive to live and the way I move through the world—finding inspiration in everyday adventures, meaningful experiences, and the beauty hidden within ordinary moments.

My Style


I’m an old soul, down-to-earth, easygoing, a go-with-the-flow kind of person who believes laughter and time spent in the outdoors are the truest medicine. When I work, I see life through a warm, true-to-day, natural light lens, drawn to the beauty of genuine, unguarded moments.

I have a deep love for documentary storytelling, the kind that bleeds emotion and lingers long after the moment has passed. I’m captivated by the in-between, the quiet glances, the brush of wind in your hair, the way sunlight settles softly on your skin. My editing style leans warm because warmth feels alive; it brings depth, glow, and soul to each image, especially during that fleeting, golden-hour magic where everything seems to pause just for a breath.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the vintage and the timeless. Alongside my signature warmth, I gently weave in a subtle, film-inspired touch, something nostalgic and honest, that complements both my color and black-and-white work.

“True to day” is exactly what it sounds like. I don’t believe in heavily altering reality. I won’t replace skies, manufacture sunlight, or reshape a scene into something it wasn’t. Instead, I honor what’s already there. I enhance the beauty that naturally exists and document your story as it genuinely unfolds messy, magical, and real.

Natural light is my first love. I follow it, study it, and let it guide me. When the sun dips below the horizon and the light begins to fade, I bring in a small, unobtrusive flash to gently support the scene, never overpower it. I don’t carry much gear, because documentary work asks for movement, intuition, and presence. I stay light on my feet so I can move with you, capturing each moment as it comes, wherever it leads.