Photography is more than just taking pictures—it’s about capturing people as they are in a way that feels real. Lately, I’ve been looking at the work of different photographers to understand what makes their style stand out. Emmy Kienast, a South Carolina-based lifestyle and portrait photographer, caught my eye because of how natural and effortless her images feel. Her approach to photography is something I wanted to break down and learn from.
Reflecting on Emmy Kienast: Her Style and Approach
Scrolling through Emmy’s portfolio, I noticed how she manages to capture emotion without making her subjects look overly posed. Her work focuses on intimate weddings, elopements, and lifestyle portraits, all shot with a mix of soft, natural light and candid moments. She has a way of making her images feel like a memory rather than just a picture, and that is what I hope to achieve later along my photography journey.
I feel like a big part of why her images feel so genuine is that she prioritizes authenticity over perfection. It seems like she avoids forcing moments and instead guides her clients into natural interactions. She mentions on her website that she uses prompts rather than poses, which makes sense when looking at her work. This approach helps her subjects feel more at ease, which in turn makes the photos feel real and intimate.
One thing I really like about her photography is her use of natural lighting. Whether it’s golden-hour warmth or soft indoor shadows, she seems to use light in a way that enhances mood rather than feeling artificial. I’ve noticed that her editing style plays into this as well—it’s clean, warm, and true to life without looking overly processed. I think this is why her photos feel timeless rather than trendy, and if I can one day make my photos follow the same theme as hers, that would be a goal well accomplished.
The Philosophy Behind Her Work
Emmy’s philosophy toward photography truly does resonate with me as well as the photographer I want to be. On her website, she describes photography as a way to “tell a story and capture fleeting moments that might otherwise be forgotten.” I love how she frames it as, My lens, your story. It gives me the impression that she sees herself as a storyteller rather than just a photographer.
Something else I appreciate is how much she emphasizes being present. She doesn’t just snap pictures—she creates an experience where her clients feel comfortable and free to be themselves. This reminds me of something she mentioned about wabi-sabi, the Japanese concept of appreciating beauty in imperfection. I feel like this is something that really influences her work, especially in how she captures little, imperfect moments that many people might overlook.
Key Takeaways from Emmy as a Photographer
Looking at Emmy’s work, there are a few things I’ve noticed that I want to apply to my own photography:
Capturing Movement and Candid Moments: I love how she embraces movement in her shots—whether it’s a couple walking, laughing, or interacting in a way that feels natural. It makes the images feel alive rather than staged. I want to start focusing more on capturing motion instead of trying to freeze everything perfectly.
Curating Instead of Posing: She seems to use prompts instead of rigid poses, which helps create a more natural and comfortable feel in her photos. I like how she lets her subjects interact organically instead of forcing a certain look, which is something I want to experiment with more in my own shoots.
Using Light Creatively: Emmy’s use of natural light is something I really admire too. It seems like she plays with backlighting, soft shadows, and different times of day to enhance the atmosphere. I want to be more intentional about how I use light instead of relying too much on post-editing to fix things.
Making Subjects Feel Comfortable: Her clients always look at ease in her photos, and I think that’s a big part of why they feel so personal. I imagine she spends time getting to know them beforehand, which makes a difference in how natural they look in front of the camera. This is something I want to work on—building a stronger connection with the people I photograph so they feel relaxed and authentic in their expressions.
Balanced Editing: I’ve noticed that her editing enhances natural tones rather than changing them drastically. Her colors are warm and inviting, but they never feel like they’ve been overly filtered. This makes me rethink how I approach editing—I want to focus on enhancing rather than altering the natural beauty of an image.
Telling a Full Story: One of my overall favorite things about her work is how she captures the entire experience of a moment—not just the obvious highlights. A wedding day isn’t just about the vows and the first dance; it’s about the morning coffee, the nervous laughter, and the in-between moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. I want to train my eye to see and capture these kinds of details more in all my shoots.
Applying These Lessons to My Own Work
After studying Emmy’s collection of photos, I feel like I need to shift my approach to photography in a few ways. First, I want to focus more on capturing movement and interaction instead of worrying about how I will pose my subjects. Naturally, with sports photography, I am more focused on movement, but when it comes to portraits and head shots, I, as the photographer, still struggle to feel at ease myself because I pour all of my attention to posing rather than allowing my subject to freely move and exist while I photograph.
Another big takeaway that directly correlates with the last is how much a photographer’s energy influences the final images. It seems like Emmy does a great job of creating an environment where people feel comfortable, and I want to work on doing the same, both for the subject and for myself. I think when a subject feels relaxed and natural, it really shows in the photos and my individual energy influences theirs, too.
I am also inspired by her intentionality. She makes a point to document not just the expected moments but also the quieter, more personal details that make a story feel whole. This has reminded me of my mission: to look beyond the obvious and capture the full range of emotions and hidden beauty in a moment.
Lastly, I want to embrace the idea that photography isn’t about perfection. Emmy’s work shows me that some of the best images come from spontaneity and imperfection. The raw emotions, the movement, the unexpected moments—those are the things that make a photograph feel real. Rather than trying to create a flawless composition, I want to lean into authenticity.
Final Thoughts
Looking at Emmy Kienast’s photography has given me a new perspective on how to create images that feel personal and timeless. Again, her focus on natural lighting, real moments, and subtle editing all contribute to a style that feels like a good balance of both polished and authentic. Studying her work has made me think more about my own approach and what I can do differently moving forward. Instead of chasing a trendy aesthetic, I want to focus on capturing images that feel natural, personal, and real—just like she does.
More importantly, I want to be intentional about every aspect of my photography, from the way I interact with clients to the moments I choose to document. Emmy’s work has shown me that photography isn’t about creating the perfect image—it’s about capturing the truth of the moment. And that’s something worth striving for.
Her philosophy—finding beauty in the imperfect and the fleeting—perfectly aligns with the mission I have created for my brand as a photographer. Life moves fast, and moments pass in an instant, but photography allows us to hold onto them forever. Emmy’s work has reaffirmed my belief that photography isn’t about staged perfection but about documenting life as it truly is: raw, emotional, and beautiful in its own way.
I am still learning, growing, and exploring what photography means to me. But one thing I know for sure—I don’t want to do it alone. I’d love for you to continue to be part of this journey, whether that means engaging with my posts, sharing your own thoughts, or simply finding inspiration in the stories and images I share.
If you’re a fellow photographer searching for new perspectives or someone who just appreciates the beauty in everyday moments, I hope this space resonates with you. Photography is about connection, and I want this blog to reflect that.
Have a story, a moment, or an idea you think deserves to be captured? I’d love to hear about it! You can submit your experiences through the “Share a Story” form on my website or check out the “Suggest a Shot” page to let me know what you’d like to see next.
Lastly, I would love to stay connected, so be sure to Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest (linked at the top of my site). I’ll be sharing new content, behind-the-scenes moments, and more glimpses into my creative process.
Here’s to capturing life as it is—raw, real, and beautifully unscripted!
All photos belong to Emily Kienast.
