Today we’d like to introduce you to Emi Karavdic.
Hi Emi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Photography has always been part of the life I imagined for myself. Long before I had clients or even knew what I wanted my business to look like, I knew I wanted a career that allowed me to create, meet people, and tell stories through my lens.
I’ve moved around quite a bit over the years, which meant I was constantly finding new places, meeting new people, and starting over. Through all of those changes, photography became the one thing that stayed with me. I started by photographing family and friends, and as I spent more time in Texas, I began working with models and creating portraits just for the sake of creating. Those sessions helped me discover my style and reminded me how much I love collaborating with people.
Today, I photograph all kinds of lifestyle portraits, along with couples, families, weddings, and events throughout New Mexico and West Texas. Portraits will always be my favorite because every session is different. I love taking an idea, a personality, or even just a feeling and turning it into something people can look back on years from now.
I’m still building the business I’ve always envisioned, and that’s one of the most exciting parts. Every move, every client, and every creative session has shaped not only my photography but also the kind of experience I want to create for the people who trust me with their memories. I hope people walk away from my work feeling seen, comfortable, and reminded that their story matters.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to pursue a creative career while navigating mental health challenges. Creativity doesn’t always exist in a straight line, and there have been seasons where self-doubt, anxiety, and other struggles made it difficult to create at all. As an artist, that can be incredibly discouraging because your work is such a personal extension of who you are.
Life has also thrown its fair share of challenges my way. Family hardships, financial setbacks, and unexpected detours have all tested me in different ways. There were seasons when it would have been easier to put my dreams on hold, but photography was always the thing that pulled me back to myself. No matter what was happening in my life, I always found my way back to creating.
Those experiences have changed the way I connect with the people I photograph. I know what it’s like to carry things that aren’t always visible, and it’s reminded me that everyone has a story you can’t see at first glance. Because of that, I approach every session with empathy, patience, and without judgment. I want people to feel comfortable enough to be themselves, because that’s where the most meaningful photographs are made.
Looking back, I don’t think I’d change any of it. Every challenge has made me more compassionate, more resilient, and more intentional about the experience I create for my clients. If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that even in life’s hardest seasons, there is still beauty worth preserving.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I photograph everything from couples and families to weddings, events, and creative portraits, but portrait photography will always have a special place in my heart. I love creating images that feel genuine and reflect who someone truly is, rather than simply asking them to smile at the camera.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a specific session or milestone. It’s that despite everything life has thrown my way, I never stopped coming back to photography. There were seasons where personal challenges made it difficult to create at the level I wanted to, and there were times when I had to put my creative goals on hold. Even so, I never let go of the dream. Every time life settled down, I picked up my camera again.
I don’t think what sets me apart is my camera or my editing style. It’s the way I approach people. I know how intimidating it can feel to be in front of a camera, so I focus on creating an environment where people can relax, laugh, and simply be themselves. My favorite images are rarely the perfectly posed ones. They’re the genuine moments that happen in between.
At the end of the day, I want my clients to have more than beautiful photographs. I want them to have images that feel honest, timeless, and true to who they are. If someone leaves a session feeling seen, I’ve done my job.
How do you think about luck?
I think luck has played a role in both positive and challenging ways. I’ve been fortunate to meet people who believed in me, trusted me with their memories, and gave me opportunities to keep growing as a photographer. Every client who chooses me is something I never take for granted.
At the same time, life hasn’t always made building a business easy. There have been circumstances outside of my control that slowed my progress and forced me to put photography on hold at different times. While I sometimes wish my path had looked different, those experiences have also taught me resilience and reminded me why I love this line of work.
I don’t think success comes down to luck alone. It’s about continuing to show up, keep learning, and keep creating whenever you have the opportunity. That’s what I’ve tried to do, and that’s what I hope to continue doing.
Pricing:
- Portrait Sessions: Starting at $150
- Weddings: Starting at $1,000
- Events: Starting at $250
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emikphotography.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emi.k.photos/
- Facebook: www.facebook./emi.k.photos
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@emixlens
