A Beautiful Vessel

A Beautiful Vessel – An Interview with Emily Anne Hesse

Emily Anne Hesse is a photographer and mother with a heart for growth, giving and God.  While she spends her days capturing memories for others on camera, she lives her life inspired by the simple things and enjoying the things that she loves. She wants to extend the grace extended to her to others and live a life worthy of any photo album. Let’s chat with her now.

You originally started your photography business in 2013 and changed the name and revamped this year. What did the “refresh” represent to you?

The refresh was really way to put my business in a new light and officially enter into my full time photography career. This was my time to show people what this business means to me and what my work represents as a creative.  For me it was like saying “Hello World. This is who I am and this is why I do what I do.” You can check out more about our name change and what it means to me at our website www.bellanavi.com

What did you do before photography?

I was a Team Leader at Tractor Supply and I also worked at a portrait studio for about 3 years before I started my own business.

You have an online community of photographers  as well as serving as mentor to other presenting editing techniques and more. How do you envision that community growing and did you have a mentor when you first ventured into photography?

The purpose of our community is solely to provide a comfortable and loving environment for photographers to ask for CC (Constructive Criticism) or to just share their work that they are proud of. There are a lot of photographers that aren’t encouraged enough when they are in the beginning stages of their journey as a creative and I really feel they just need support and encouragement. My vision for our group is to continue to expand and reach other photographers that want to learn and grow with love.

I had a few mentors when I started. My friend Angel from Angel Grace Photography has been such a blessing to me throughout the entire process of revamping my business. Amy Craig from Amy Craig Photography was a huge help when I decided I wanted to take my camera off auto mode. There have also been a few other photographers that have really helped me as well. I am very blessed to have had their encouragement and guidance. 

Tell us about your partnership with Light Africa, a ministry in Uganda that is dedicated to providing education to children in its native area.  Can you give us an example where you have seen their work come to life?

Light Africa is such an amazing organization. Last year I was able to watch the Amani Children’s Choir perform in Maryland and meet some of the children. Let me just say they stole my heart from the moment I walked into the room. I knew I had to support these children and this ministry. After their visit I had contacted Pastor James to ask if we could partner with them and support their cause. We currently support a beautiful little girl from Uganda and we have been able to talk to her via letters and learn a lot about her, her schooling, and her family. It is such a blessing to know we are making a difference in the lives of others.

In your desire to reflect the beauty of God through your business you not only chose the name for your business (which means “Beautiful Vessels”) you also set the tone for your business as well. Tell us about what your faith means to you and how important it is that you honor it in every area of your life?

I have always loved Jesus since I was little but as I grew I developed this longing to know Him more and live closer to Him. Walking with Jesus every day is such an intimate and transforming journey and my faith is just that, a journey with this amazing Father that loves me so tenderly and mercifully. Every day is new to me, it is a chance to forgive, love, and live in grace. His love has won my heart and I try my best to honor him and glorify Him in my everyday life. When you love someone so deeply you can’t help but share the beauty of who they are, the love that you share for one another and the amazing things that they do for you!

Tell us about your family?

I love my family dearly! I have a beautiful son, Kaiden, and I couldn’t image a day without his precious, sweet, and funny spirit. I have a wonderful boyfriend who is an amazing man of God and has stolen my heart. He has really shown me what true love looks likes. I am a big sister! I have 3 amazing little sisters and 1 awesome little brother. My mom is so generous and loving and has taught me to be the respectful woman I am today. I have the best aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins a girl could ask for! We have a pretty large family so Holidays and family gatherings can be pretty interesting and fun!

Did you grow up in Pennsylvania?

I did! I grew up in South Western PA and I love it here! Pittsburgh Fan all day!!!

I know you like horses. When did you first discover your love for horses?

I first discovered my love for horses when I was about 6 years old. For my 7th birthday my Grandmother took me to my first horse lesson and I was hooked from there! I showed horses from the time I was 8 until I became pregnant with my son and couldn’t show anymore. Horses represent power and beauty to me. They have been a huge part of my life. I think I would be lost in this world if it wasn’t for Jesus and horses!

You mention in your bio that one of your favorite things is Journals. Tell us what you write about and if journaling has been a cathartic process for you or just another extension of capturing memories?

I take a journal with me almost everywhere I go. You never know when you will need it! I like to capture memories through my journaling but I also really like to use it to express my deepest thoughts and feelings. I also use journaling for writing music, writing letters for my child to read someday and letting go of all my emotions. I hope to someday write a book or a devotional. I am very passionate about writing.

How does Emily like her coffee?

I love Chocolate Covered Banana Mocha’s or Caramel Mocha’s!

 

What is your overall goal for every photography project?

Overall I would have to say I have two goals. On a personal level I want to grow and be better than I was the day before. On a creative level my goal is to capture the essence of who God created every person to be and to give every client 110% of my heart and creativity. I want to really get to know my clients and understand who they are as individuals, couples, and families, so I can capture that in every image. When they come to view their final products I want to induce smiles, laughs, and tears of joy.

What inspires you?

I have always found that singing worship music has always helped to lift me up and fill my soul. There isn’t a day that goes by that I am not singing and listening to music. When I am feeling down, happy, sad, scared, hopeless, fearless I pick a song I feel relates to me in the moment and I just sing like no one is watching me. I like to close my eyes and image myself in a field full of tall grass and wild flowers, rays of sun illuminating my face and Jesus in His white robe taking my hand as He runs with me through the field and dances with me. While I am working lyrics will pop into my head to remind me that He is with me and guiding me. When I am confronting my fears I know I can sing a song to restore my faith. Worship music is my life line.

I am also inspired by nature. I am a free spirit so I absolutely love that the only thing nature can be tamed by is its Master. The colors, the smells, the variety of nature is so fascinating to me. I like to take walks and look up at the sky to remind myself just how big and beautiful this world I live in is. The sky is never the same from moment to moment. There is always something beautiful to find when I look up. I love watching the sun set and rise and the clouds float across the sky. It just really puts life back into perspective for me.

I am also inspired by long periods of time to myself. I am an extreme introvert so being around a lot of people really drains me some days. I really need most of the day to myself to renew my mind and get to a peaceful place with the Lord. Sometimes that isn’t possible so I sing worship music to myself instead .

What inspires you on your journey through life? Share in the comments.

For more information on Emily and her photography services please visit www.bellanavi.com.