Meet Emma Jarvis | Family & Children’s Portrait Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emma Jarvis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emma, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I believe that good portrait photography needs a side of affordability and access. It shouldn’t cost a fortune to get quality images of your children that you will cherish forever. By starting Smyrna Studios, I was able to create that affordable option so that more people could have those photos.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
One of the main things that sets me apart is that I have short, easy, comfortable sessions. I am a mom of three boys so I know how short a child’s attention span is. My goal is always quick, fun, and quality photos. Managing everything that comes with a portrait company has been difficult. It’s included late-night editing sessions fueled by Dr. Pepper and runs to the photo supply store in a summer downpour with all three children in tow because I ran out of background paper. I’ve learned to set up early and test everything way before clients come so that I’m not last minute panicking. But along the way, I’ve learned that most people have immense amounts of grace for parents and businesses and that’s been comforting. Luckily, I have a supportive husband, three kids who are, generally, willing to be my test subjects, and a community of people who were essentially my guinea pigs but cheered me on and praised my work as I expanded my business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, I’m a big fan of Smyrna. I think it’s a pretty under-rated town but the community here is the top. Ideally, they would visit during the Smyrna annual celebration so we would have a rockin’ concert to attend one night. Other than that, I would definitely take them to my favorite eateries: The Corner Taqueria in downtown Smyrna, Chick’n Wok in Marietta, and Twin Kookies and Sweets in the Williams Park neighborhood of Smyrna. We’d also have to get some Davinci’s Pizza to enjoy at home one night. I love taking visitors to Piedmont Park and the botanical gardens, and my family always loves a good outdoor adventure like Poole’s Mill Bridge. We’d probably go play at Chastain Park one day and spend a good while driving around those neighborhoods in awe of the houses. We also always have a great time at the Fernbank. It’s rarely crowded and has such a variety of things to do.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my Shoutout to my husband, who without his help and support, and especially time dedicated to corraling our own three crazy boys, this business wouldn’t be able to exist. I also owe a shoutout to the photographer in Arizona who took my family’s photos for years, Katie Boyd. She inspired me to start a similar business out here in Atlanta and was only ever encouraging with the million questions I asked.

Website: https://smyrnastudios.com

Instagram: @smyrnastudios

Facebook: Smyrna Studios

Image Credits
Emma Jarvis, Smyrna Studios