emily frazier
photo taken by Love Is a Big Deal
about me
I am a Wedding + Humanitarian photographer based out of Chicago, IL. Few people call me "Em" but I do really love it. I grew up in Izmir, Turkey eating fresh veggies and rollerblading at the skate park along the Mediterranean.
"My element" usually involves exploration, quality food, and enthusiastic people (also 64-degree weather with a slight breeze.) I enjoy making the most of Mondays. Disco ball dance parties in the hallway, late-night baking, spontaneous movie marathons, and other chaotic occurrences are common in my household.
I love history and strength in numbers. I love loud photos that capture emotion, color, and movement. Pursuing this has led me to work with humanitarian organizations and non-profits, as well as find the humanity and history within weddings.
WHY WEDDINGS?
Growing up watching neighbors' weddings on our street from the balcony, I find myself still inspired by the dazed chaos of weddings. I love all the generations of family, the cultural /familial traditions, laughter, dancing, and emotions.
I love the presence of multiple generations and how weddings cross all economic, cultural, and religious boundaries.
I always take the necessary posed photos, but my mission is to reach beyond them. I seek out moments in corners, the moment that might not look special at the time, but on mother’s day, it will be. On the anniversary of a death, it will be. On a birthday, it will be. To a couple’s child, 50 years later, it will be. To the couple on their 70th anniversary, it will be.
I’ve fallen in love with the way photography pauses time. How we can cherish and relive memories through images. I strive to honor the unique aspects of each couple and their families. I love witnessing the beauty and diversity within every wedding, extravagant or simple.
print SHOP
I started taking photos by following my sister around and copying her every move as she completed her online photography class homework.
At age 12 my grandparents delivered my first camera on a trip to see us in 2010.
Just a year later we moved to America.
It wasn’t until 2019 that I got to travel back to turkey, camera in hand, with two of my best friends.
It was just as beautiful as I remembered. I decided, after friends’ encouragement, to sell my photos of turkey as prints.
It’s been such an inspiring experience!
