Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Li.
Hi Emily, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I got my first camera when I was about eight, during the heyday of 90’s scrapbooking. I poured hours into that, arranging snapshots I had taken of family moments with stickers and captions— I still have that album tucked away. Then for years, photography became more sporadic for me; I’d pick up a camera when I lived in France, traveled, or to capture milestones for my daughters.
But during the pandemic, the world slowed down and I found myself reaching for it again. I took a few classes, and it suddenly clicked. (Pun intended, I guess?) This wasn’t just a hobby—it was something that brought me more joy and fulfillment than teaching had.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have been very lucky, but of course every business starting out will have their struggles. One of my main challenges was learning to price packages fairly. I really want to provide an affordable service to my clients; but I have also learned that the time I give to work is time away from my daughters, just as much as teaching was. And so I do have to charge for my time as well. So finding that balance has been a learning curve.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
One of my favorite parts of being a photographer is dreaming up the next project or mini session—I find so much joy in the creative process.
Baltimore itself inspires me endlessly; it’s an eclectic city where century-old architecture and fresh street art share the same block.
I think of family photography in a similar way. Every image holds history, even when it’s captured in a “light and airy” or contemporary style. That blend of past and present is what makes family photos so poignant—and why they deserve a place on your walls.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My best advice is to take advantage of books and magazines and podcasts made for your industry, and then just put yourself out there. Post your work on social media, share what you’re doing, and don’t be afraid to follow business owners who seem “ahead” of where you think you are. What I’ve found is that those connections often go both ways—you will likely discover strengths in yourself that they don’t have, and vice versa. It turns out there’s a lot more collaboration than competition in these industries. Such an encouraging surprise!
Pricing:
- 20 minute session, 12 edited digital images– $85
- 60 minute session, 25 edited digital images– $350
- 120 minute session, 45+ edited digital images– from $800
Contact Info:
- Website: https://plumandfern.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plumandfernphotography
