Interview: Emilee Schaack, Travel Photographer
Photographer: Emilee Schaack
Based: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Instagram: @emilee.schaack
Quick-Fire Questions
Favorite lens? 24-70mm f4
Presets or manual editing? Presets
Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise
Favorite snack while shooting/travelling? Anything chocolate & peanut butter
The Interview
1. What first drew you to photography, and has that changed as you’ve photographed more?
I've dreamed of travel for as long as I can remember and have been hearing about how expensive it is for just as long. One day, in my infinite teenage wisdom, I decided I'd simply get a job involving travel, so work would pay for it! Problem solved, right? Becoming a photographer for National Geographic was one of my various job ideas. I ended up becoming a paralegal, and photography and travel are my happy places. I need to get on a plane at least once a quarter, or I start losing my mind!
2. Has travelling changed the way you photograph or the things you notice in a place?
I think it's the other way around, actually. Photography has changed the way I travel. For me, travel used to mean the big bus tours where you're herded from landmark to landmark, and you kind of stay in a tourist bubble the whole time. I certainly never went out exploring on my own. Photography has opened up my world. Before photography, I never went anywhere alone, but because of photography, I've now been all over my state and am planning my first solo trip to San Francisco to explore Chinatown!
3. You regularly photograph around Minneapolis. What has photographing close to home taught you that you’ve been able to take with you when travelling?
Photographing close to home allows me to practice seeing in a familiar setting, so when I am travelling, I put less pressure on myself to find "the shot".
4. What has made the biggest difference to your photography over the past year?
Getting out to shoot regularly. My first trip with my camera that wasn't specifically a photography workshop was to Montenegro last summer, and my photos from that trip are fine. But I knew I'd never take the photos I dreamed of taking if my camera only came out of its bag for big trips.
5. Is there something you’ve experimented with recently that has opened up a new way of photographing for you?
I had a little epiphany during the shadow play challenge. When I decided to look for interesting light instead of necessarily an interesting subject, I started finding photos all over the place.
6. You photographed the Northern Lights in Alaska. What did that experience teach you, either technically or creatively?
Those photos were actually taken on my phone. I wanted so badly to take my camera, but realistically, it was not suitable for the rest of the trip. I think that beginners, especially, can fall into the gear trap (I did!), but I learned that it's possible to create great images with any camera if you understand light and composition.
7. When you arrive somewhere new, what tends to catch your attention first?
The food. I love a market visit! And they're fun to photograph too.
8. What do you find most challenging when photographing while travelling?
I'm really drawn to photographing everyday life, and I love to include people in my compositions. But I'm actually really shy and approaching people is difficult for me. The street photos I've captured so far have all been shot from a distance and cropped in. I'm working on building the confidence to just ask. The worst they can say is "no".
9. Looking back through your photographs, is there one that has become more meaningful because of the experience or story behind it?
My photos from my 2023 trip to Jordan. They're from before I started learning about photography and are a bit rough around the edges, but they're memories of a special trip. I've been fascinated by Southwest Asia (more commonly known as the Middle East) since I was a little girl. I feel a connection there that I can't really explain. I think Jordan will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first place I landed after 25 years of dreaming.
10. What’s one thing you’d recommend to someone who wants to progress with their photography?
Practice, practice, practice. Even at home. Even when you have nothing happening. Home isn't boring; you're just used to it.
11. Is there a destination, experience or subject you’d particularly love to photograph next?
I'm going to Germany in December. I love Christmas and am so excited to visit and photograph a real Christmas market!
Follow Emilee’s adventures on Instagram here or connect inside the club community and say hello :)
