Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Corkery.
Emily, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’ve loved being behind the camera since I was little. I fell in love with photography as a creative outlet in high school, when I focused mainly on surreal self-portraiture as a means of self-exploration and expression. I started photographing people and places in college and began to really enjoy the process of capturing, examining, and learning more about the subjects in front of my lens. Today I mainly photograph couples, although my favorite projects always tend to lean towards the experimental, like fashion editorial shoots.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m a digital photographer, and I’ve always thought that the final image a photographer produces has as much to say about the subject as it does the artist. The entire process of creating an image, from choosing a lens, snapping the shutter, and applying post-production edits, has opportunities for the creator to inject their “style” into it. I love the fact that photography is half instantaneous, half procedural. What I mean by that is, the raw material is a moment in time, that the photographer can then tweak and mold using artistic techniques into a truly evocative image. I think that I strive to capture “reality” with a touch of “un-reality,” ultimately resulting in a physical manifestation of artistic vision.
The stereotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
A phrase that always sticks in my mind is a quote from photographer Sue Bryce, a highly successful entrepreneur, and educator. To prevent getting sucked in by “Gear Acquisition Syndrome,” only put your hard-earned cash toward “making your ship go faster.” I interpret that to mean that, with creativity, you can make your resources go farther, and to only upgrade when your gear is holding you back, not necessarily when the latest and greatest thing comes out. I’m also a firm believer in knowing the value of your time and energy and setting your prices at a level that is fair to both you and your clients. Undercutting the competition at the expense of your sanity helps no one.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My website is riyostudios.com. I mostly showcase my consumer work there, so it’s a lot of weddings, engagements, and families. I also showcase my favorite images at @riyostudios on Instagram. I would love to have more local artisans and makers reach out to collaborate on commercial/advertising type projects, but I love working with individuals as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: riyostudios.com
- Email: riyostudios@gmail.com
- Instagram: @riyostudios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RIYOstudios/
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
