Kia Ora, I’m Emily, a full time photographer here in Tāmaki Makaurau. I have had my photography business running for 13 years now, where I shoot weddings, family portraits and commercial work. Anything working with people is where my passion really lies. When I first started my business I was using film for all of my jobs, then made the digital switch when Canon brought out their first 5d. But over the last few years I’ve reverted back to film, just for my own personal use. I have found this has been really necessary to separate the tools of the trade for work and personal.
How did your love of photography come about?
I took all the art subjects at school and started photographing at age 16. I was often not quite following the briefs that were given, and experimenting under my own rules… which doesn’t really fly as far as the schooling system goes sadly. At age 19 I moved to New York City to work as a nanny, but bought my first film camera there to start documenting the city and people. That really cemented my love for using a camera as a way of recording the world around me, and upon returning to Aotearoa I started a 4 year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, majoring in photography.
What are some of the different shooting techniques and processes you experiment with?
I am always trying to perfect the art of double exposures while using my Rolleicord, some work beautifully.. others leave me still realising I have a lot more to learn still. I really love instant film, and have quite a few different Polaroid cameras. I really have been enjoying turning my (now discontinued, so highly treasured) FP-100c film into negatives, and scanning them in to compare with the Polaroids.
How do you find motivation to continue to go out and pursue your creative endeavors?
I am happy to let motivation come and go when it needs to. It’s never far from me, I’m often creating, but I do think it’s really important to allow yourself breaks from your craft. Take the down time, as that is often when inspiration can come at you from unexpected sources.
Where do you see yourself in 5 – 10 years time with your photography and video work?
I see myself continuing with my photography business, I’m super passionate about documenting people and realise what an honour it is to witness and record the things that I do. I definitely would like to exhibit more, collaboratively, or I really need to get a solo show out at some stage in my life. So this is probably a good timeline to work towards.. thanks!
What do you document and why are you attracted to these scenes?
As I have mentioned above, people are my main attraction. I love humans and the interactions with them I have in order to get a portrait. Sometimes it’s someone I’ve just met, other times I tee up creative shoots with friends. The cups of tea, chats, snacks, gins… then a few photos later, magic. I love it all. I also travel around the country a bit for my job, and love to document the small towns and slices of life I see as I move about. I have a strong love for nostalgia, and small town NZ. The everyday, mundane, often looked over aspects of life, really appeal to my nostalgic heart and eye.
What is your current camera setup and favourite film?
Well.. I have quite a few. I guess my two current favourites would be my Mamiya 6 and Rolleicord. I’m a real sucker for the 1:1 aspect ratio. I always use Kodak film – Portra and Tri-X 400 – I have used these both ever since I first started. I have found every time I have experimented with other stocks, I just haven’t been as happy. I think when you get to know one film stock really well, you know how it will react to certain lighting situations and tones, and it gives and overall consistency to my ever evolving body of work I’m producing.
Are there artists you look up to or admire?
Of course, so many! Keeping it local, I really love Sara McIntyre’s honest documentation of Aotearoa. I find her eye for capturing the everyday really appeals to my love for it too. A good friend and constant source of inspiration is Si Moore. Constantly smashing it out of the park with his portraits. And of course, Ans Westra’s images are so important as a documentation of this country I am lucky enough to call home.
What advice would you give to your younger self given your experience in life so far?
Don’t sweat the petty, just pet the sweaty. Ok, seriously, create honest work. Keep doing what resonates with you, and feels true to you. I have found there will be a reason why you feel the desire to create what you do, but sometimes that gut feeling or desire only really explains itself later in life.
Do you have any projects coming up in mind or something you are working on and where can we view more and keep up to date with your photography?
I currently have one polaroid self portrait up in Motat which is on display as a part of the ‘Love Science’ exhibition. I am exhibiting in Wellington at the end of the year if the lockdown/levels allow it! It is part of a group show in Meanwhile Gallery, so stay tuned please Pōneke readers, as I’ll share more about that when we can confirm the details. I also set up an online store to sell my film work, so you can jump on via my website and check that out if you are interested in getting some more art on your walls. I also update my film instagram account pretty regularly, and if there is anything people see there that they would like as a print that is not in my online store, I’m happy to do one off’s as well. (@justemilyraftery) https://www.emilyraftery.co.nz/store/
Emily Raftery Artist Feature
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Kia Ora, I’m Emily, a full time photographer here in Tāmaki Makaurau. I have had my photography business running for 13 years now, where I shoot weddings, family portraits and commercial work. Anything working with people is where my passion really lies. When I first started my business I was using film for all of my jobs, then made the digital switch when Canon brought out their first 5d. But over the last few years I’ve reverted back to film, just for my own personal use. I have found this has been really necessary to separate the tools of the trade for work and personal.
How did your love of photography come about?
I took all the art subjects at school and started photographing at age 16. I was often not quite following the briefs that were given, and experimenting under my own rules… which doesn’t really fly as far as the schooling system goes sadly. At age 19 I moved to New York City to work as a nanny, but bought my first film camera there to start documenting the city and people. That really cemented my love for using a camera as a way of recording the world around me, and upon returning to Aotearoa I started a 4 year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, majoring in photography.
What are some of the different shooting techniques and processes you experiment with?
I am always trying to perfect the art of double exposures while using my Rolleicord, some work beautifully.. others leave me still realising I have a lot more to learn still. I really love instant film, and have quite a few different Polaroid cameras. I really have been enjoying turning my (now discontinued, so highly treasured) FP-100c film into negatives, and scanning them in to compare with the Polaroids.
How do you find motivation to continue to go out and pursue your creative endeavors?
I am happy to let motivation come and go when it needs to. It’s never far from me, I’m often creating, but I do think it’s really important to allow yourself breaks from your craft. Take the down time, as that is often when inspiration can come at you from unexpected sources.
Where do you see yourself in 5 – 10 years time with your photography and video work?
I see myself continuing with my photography business, I’m super passionate about documenting people and realise what an honour it is to witness and record the things that I do. I definitely would like to exhibit more, collaboratively, or I really need to get a solo show out at some stage in my life. So this is probably a good timeline to work towards.. thanks!
What do you document and why are you attracted to these scenes?
As I have mentioned above, people are my main attraction. I love humans and the interactions with them I have in order to get a portrait. Sometimes it’s someone I’ve just met, other times I tee up creative shoots with friends. The cups of tea, chats, snacks, gins… then a few photos later, magic. I love it all. I also travel around the country a bit for my job, and love to document the small towns and slices of life I see as I move about. I have a strong love for nostalgia, and small town NZ. The everyday, mundane, often looked over aspects of life, really appeal to my nostalgic heart and eye.
What is your current camera setup and favourite film?
Well.. I have quite a few. I guess my two current favourites would be my Mamiya 6 and Rolleicord. I’m a real sucker for the 1:1 aspect ratio. I always use Kodak film – Portra and Tri-X 400 – I have used these both ever since I first started. I have found every time I have experimented with other stocks, I just haven’t been as happy. I think when you get to know one film stock really well, you know how it will react to certain lighting situations and tones, and it gives and overall consistency to my ever evolving body of work I’m producing.
Are there artists you look up to or admire?
Of course, so many! Keeping it local, I really love Sara McIntyre’s honest documentation of Aotearoa. I find her eye for capturing the everyday really appeals to my love for it too. A good friend and constant source of inspiration is Si Moore. Constantly smashing it out of the park with his portraits. And of course, Ans Westra’s images are so important as a documentation of this country I am lucky enough to call home.
What advice would you give to your younger self given your experience in life so far?
Don’t sweat the petty, just pet the sweaty. Ok, seriously, create honest work. Keep doing what resonates with you, and feels true to you. I have found there will be a reason why you feel the desire to create what you do, but sometimes that gut feeling or desire only really explains itself later in life.
Do you have any projects coming up in mind or something you are working on and where can we view more and keep up to date with your photography?
I currently have one polaroid self portrait up in Motat which is on display as a part of the ‘Love Science’ exhibition. I am exhibiting in Wellington at the end of the year if the lockdown/levels allow it! It is part of a group show in Meanwhile Gallery, so stay tuned please Pōneke readers, as I’ll share more about that when we can confirm the details. I also set up an online store to sell my film work, so you can jump on via my website and check that out if you are interested in getting some more art on your walls. I also update my film instagram account pretty regularly, and if there is anything people see there that they would like as a print that is not in my online store, I’m happy to do one off’s as well. (@justemilyraftery) https://www.emilyraftery.co.nz/store/