Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Kicsak.
Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been the girl with a camera in her hands. It started at summer camp with a disposable camera, then evolved into filming craft vlogs throughout my preteen years. Eventually, I got my first “big girl” camera, convinced I’d use it to make higher-quality YouTube videos. Instead, I found myself photographing prom sessions, family portraits, seniors, and eventually couples. I remember rummaging in my grandpa’s basement one winter break and finding his Canon AE-1 which first introduced me to the film medium. My photos were no where near great, but it sparked a new interest in me and dove me deeper into learning more about the art.
In high school, I took a photography class that taught me more about film. I still remember shooting with a Holga for the first time and falling in love with the unpredictable, imperfect images it created. What started as taking photos just for fun slowly turned into an Instagram page where I could scrapbook everything I was creating.
I photographed my first wedding in 2018 and, honestly, I hated it. I felt overwhelmed and wasn’t sure weddings were for me.
A few years later, I moved to Australia, eager to leave Florida behind and chase a life filled with travel and adventure. I was there for just three months before COVID changed everything. I moved back to Florida, returned to a job that didn’t inspire me, and put my dreams on hold.
A few months later, I picked up my camera again. Somewhere along the way, I fell back in love with photography. I started sharing my work on Instagram again, and little by little people began reaching out for sessions. As weddings boomed after the pandemic, I found myself photographing more and more of them. This time, something was different.
My approach shifted from focusing on perfectly structured timelines to allowing the day to unfold naturally. I became more interested in documenting honest moments than directing them. Around the same time, I rediscovered film photography and began incorporating it into weddings. Shooting film taught me to slow down, anticipate moments before they happened, and use light with intention. It reminded me that photography isn’t just about documenting a day—it’s about creating something that feels timeless.
Now, five years into photographing weddings full-time, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Photography has taught me so much more than how to take beautiful images. It’s taught me how to build meaningful relationships, communicate with clients, run a business, design a website, and create an experience that feels personal from beginning to end. But more than anything, it’s deepened my appreciation for human connection.
I’ve always believed photographs become more valuable with time. I grew up watching old home videos and flipping through my parents’ photo albums, fascinated by the way a single image could bring you back to a moment you’d almost forgotten.
Last fall, I lost my mom. It was the slowest fall season I’ve ever had since the beginning of shooting weddings and I truly believe that was a precious gift from the Lord. That loss gave photography an even deeper meaning for me. It changed the way I see weddings—not just as celebrations, but as gatherings of the people we love most. It reminds me that every hug, every laugh, every quiet glance between family members matters. Those are the photographs that become priceless someday, and it’s an incredible privilege to preserve them.
My entire business is dedicated to our Heavenly Father. Every gift is from him and what an incredible honor he gave me this passion to create lifelong memories for others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. Looking back, I think every season of my career has come with its own challenges.
Even after photographing my first wedding in 2018 I would’ve never imagined my business to be what it is today. It wasn’t until years later, after moving to Australia, unexpectedly returning home because of COVID, and finding myself back in a job that didn’t fulfill me, that I picked up my camera again with a fresh perspective.
Starting a photography business also meant learning so much beyond taking photos. I had to figure out how to market myself, build a website, communicate with clients, manage the backend of a business, and wear every hat that comes with being a small business owner. There was a lot of trial and error, and plenty of moments where I questioned whether I was doing enough or even if shooting weddings was where I would eventually land.
More recently, losing my mom last fall has been one of the hardest experiences of my life. Grief has completely changed me and altered the way I view life. It has also changed the way I photograph weddings. I understand on a much deeper level how meaningful these photographs become over time. They’re not just beautiful images from one day—they become memories of the people you love most. That perspective has made me more intentional about what I capture and why I do this work.
I don’t think the road has ever been perfectly smooth, but I’m grateful for moment and lesson along the way because each one has shaped the photographer and person I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of Emily Kicsak Photo. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At its core, my business is about preserving people and the way a moment felt. I photograph weddings and couples with a documentary approach, blending digital and film photography to create images that feel timeless, honest, and full of emotion.
I’m not someone who believes a wedding day should revolve around photos. I believe the best images happen when people are fully present with the people they love. Instead of over-directing or sticking to rigid timelines, I create space for moments to unfold naturally while gently guiding my couples when they need it. My goal is for them to experience their wedding day first and remember taking photos second.
I think what sets my work apart is the balance between storytelling and artistry. I’m always paying attention to light, movement, and the small in-between moments that often become the most meaningful years later. Incorporating film has only deepened that approach—it has taught me to slow down, trust my instincts, and photograph with intention.
Beyond the photographs themselves, I’m incredibly proud of the experience I’ve built for my couples. I want them to feel like they’re working with someone they can trust—not just as a photographer, but as a friend. From our first conversation to delivering their gallery, I want the process to feel personal, calm, and meaningful.
If there’s one thing I hope people take away from my brand, it’s that wedding photography is about so much more than beautiful portraits. It’s about preserving the people, relationships, and fleeting moments that become more valuable with every passing year. Those are the photographs I care most about making.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think the wedding industry will continue to shift toward authenticity. Couples seem less interested in perfectly curated moments and more interested in celebrating their day in a way that feels true to who they are. I also think we’ll continue to see a greater appreciation for documentary-style photography and film, as people crave images that feel timeless rather than trendy.
As for me, I don’t have some huge five- or ten-year plan. I’ve learned that life rarely unfolds the way we expect, so I’m praying, trusting the Lord, and staying open to wherever He leads me. Right now, I genuinely love photographing weddings, and I hope to continue doing that for many years to come.
More than anything, I want to keep honing my craft. I never want to stop learning the art of photography, experimenting with light, growing as a storyteller, and, if I’m being honest, collecting a few more film cameras along the way. Film continues to inspire me, slow me down, and challenge me creatively, and I hope that curiosity never goes away.
If I can keep creating meaningful photographs, serving my couples well, and continue growing both as an artist and as a person, I’ll consider that a successful future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emilykicsak.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilykicsakphoto/
