Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Gigoux.
Hi Emily, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was about eight years old, my family and I were hiking at Mount Rainier, and someone handed me a camera. I took a photo of the mountain framed by wildflowers in the foreground and a bright blue sky behind it. It ended up being a really beautiful image — so much so that my grandmother actually turned it into greeting cards. I still have that photo today, and looking back, that was the moment the seed of photography was planted for me. People kept telling me I had a great eye, and I genuinely loved capturing images.
As I got older, photography naturally became part of my life. In middle school and high school, my best friend and I would spend hours dressing up in fancy clothes, experimenting with hair and makeup, and heading out into the countryside for photoshoots. She modeled while I practiced portrait photography, and without realizing it, I was developing my style and learning how to photograph people in a natural, authentic way.
By my senior year of high school, people had started asking me to take their senior portraits, and in 2012 I officially started my photography business while I was still in school.
When I went to college at George Fox University, I actually majored in painting because I’ve always been deeply connected to art and creativity, especially 2D art and painting mediums. Throughout all four years of college, I continued building my photography business alongside full-time school and two part-time jobs on campus.
One of those jobs was with the university’s marketing department, which became an incredible hands-on learning experience. I had access to professional cameras and lenses and was able to experiment with different gear, styles, and techniques. That really helped me refine my artistic vision and understand what equipment and approach best matched the way I saw the world creatively.
After graduating, I continued growing my business, and by 2018/2019 I was able to transition into photography full-time and leave my traditional 9-to-5 job, which at the time was a Loan Officer Assistant for a local mortgage company.
A major turning point in my career came when I met my mentor, Bryan Rupp. At the time, I was interested in wedding photography but wanted to know if I truly loved it and could handle the pace and responsibility that comes with photographing weddings.
Next thing was weddings. Would I like them? Could I handle the pressure? I wanted to shadow someone and find out. So, I actually found my, now mentor, Bryan, through a Google search for wedding photographers in Newberg, Oregon. I reached out to him and asked if we could grab coffee so I could learn more about the industry. He was incredibly generous with his time and eventually invited me to second shoot weddings with him. The following summer, we photographed more than 30 weddings together, and that experience completely transformed my understanding of photography.
I learned everything from posing and lighting to camera settings and how to navigate the fast-paced emotions and moments of a wedding day. More than anything, though, it made me fall in love with wedding photography itself.
There’s something incredibly meaningful about weddings because they bring together all the people you love most in one place. So many priceless, candid, emotional moments happen naturally throughout the day, and it’s an honor to preserve those memories for couples and families. I also genuinely love creating timeless, artistic portraits for my couples — images that feel beautiful, emotional, and lasting.
Today, photography is not just my career; it’s really the intersection of storytelling, art, and human connection, and I feel incredibly grateful that I get to do it full-time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Honestly, I think my biggest struggle has been learning to stop trying to please everyone and instead lean into what genuinely excites and inspires me creatively.
Over the years, I went through multiple rebrands and phases where I thought, “What do people want from me? What kind of photographer should I be to attract clients?” But eventually I realized that the moments when my business grew the most were the moments when I was simply being myself. People are drawn to authenticity. They can feel genuine excitement, passion, and confidence.
Because I started my photography business so young, a lot of my personal growth happened alongside the growth of my business. I wasn’t just figuring out my style as a photographer — I was figuring out who I was as a person. What inspires me? What kind of art do I want to create? What experience do I want clients to have? What feels true to me creatively?
That process took time, and honestly, a lot of internal work.
Another challenge was learning to trust myself and value my work. As a creative entrepreneur, there’s definitely a journey of building confidence — confidence in your talent, your vision, and even in the prices you charge. I had to remind myself that people book me for a reason. Couples are trusting me to document one of the most important days of their lives for a reason. That trust means something.
As I’ve grown more confident in myself and more aligned with who I truly am as an artist, everything has started to blossom naturally. I think people can feel that authenticity now, and that’s been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Today, my primary focus is weddings and family photography, and honestly, my heart is split pretty evenly between the two.
What I love most isn’t necessarily one type of session over another—it’s the opportunity to walk alongside people through different seasons of their lives. Some of my favorite clients are the ones who have invited me to be their “life photographer.” I’ve photographed seniors who later became engaged couples, then newlyweds, and eventually parents welcoming babies into their families. I have one family that I’ve photographed from senior portraits all the way through marriage and now raising four wonderful boys. Being trusted to document those milestones is incredibly meaningful.
The same is true for family photography. I have families I’ve been photographing for five, six, seven, even eight years. I’ve watched children grow up, seen families expand, and witnessed so many beautiful chapters unfold. Now that I’m a mom myself, I understand even more deeply how priceless those photographs become over time. They preserve moments that pass far too quickly.
At the same time, weddings hold a special place in my heart. There’s something truly magical about a wedding day. It’s filled with once-in-a-lifetime moments, genuine emotion, and the people who matter most gathered together in one place. Those images often become family heirlooms—the photographs couples return to again and again throughout their lives.
If I had to choose between weddings and families, I honestly couldn’t. What makes my work so rewarding is that I often get to do both. I have the privilege of documenting not just a single event, but entire stories, and there’s something incredibly special about being trusted to preserve those memories year after year.
I simply want to make a great connection with you and make you feel comfortable. Taking quality, incredible photos is second nature to me at this point but I always say that if you don’t feel comfortable with your photographer then you need to find a different one. Not only do I want you to feel confident and look good, but truly have an amazing experience. I’ve had so many first time clients who at the end of our photo session say, “Wow, that was quick and painless!” I wonder if we all got scarred by those stuffy posed school photos growing up and just think that will be your experience every time you get your photo taken. I have fun with my clients, we move around a lot, I guide you and give prompts. All that together creates the magic. It truly is a collaboration.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Behind the scenes, the people who deserve the most credit are my parents, my husband, and my mentor.
My parents have been my biggest supporters from the very beginning. They’ve always encouraged me to pursue my passions, whether that was art, photography, or any other creative endeavor. They were the first people to believe in me, and even today they’re always excited to hear about my latest sessions, projects, and goals. They’ve consistently been a source of encouragement, confidence, and unwavering support throughout my journey.
My husband has also played an enormous role in my success. He has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and has sacrificed a great deal to help make that possible. He’s been willing to support our family while I invest time and energy into growing my business, and now, as parents, he often holds down the fort with our daughter while I’m out photographing weddings and sessions.
What I appreciate most about him is that he continually challenges me to grow. He encourages me to think bigger, push beyond my comfort zone, and look at things from a different perspective. We are very different people, and that difference has been incredibly valuable. His perspective has helped me become a stronger business owner and creative professional, and I’m deeply grateful for that.
Professionally, the person who has had the greatest impact on my photography career is my mentor, Bryan Rupp. While many people have encouraged me along the way, Bryan is the person who taught me much of the foundation I still use today.
He didn’t just help shape my shooting style and technical skills; he also taught me the behind-the-scenes aspects of running a successful photography business. From client relationships and communication to workflow, professionalism, and the overall client experience, his mentorship has influenced nearly every aspect of my career.
I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today without his generosity, guidance, and willingness to invest his time in me. We’ve known each other for nearly a decade now, and what started as a mentorship has grown into a meaningful professional relationship and friendship. We continue to support one another, share ideas, and help each other grow, and I am incredibly thankful for the role Bryan’s played in my journey.
When I look back on where I started and where I am today, I realize that none of us succeed alone. I’ve been fortunate to have people who believed in me, challenged me, and invested in me, and I’m grateful for every one of them.
Pricing:
- The Signature Wedding Collection — $4,000
- The Essentials Wedding Collection — $3,200
- The Story Session – $500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emilygigoux.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilygigoux/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilygigouxphoto/
