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

Hi Emily, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I would love to and strive to be remembered for being a good friend. Someone who was there for you, did what they could to help you out and make you feel loved and valued always. I love being able to incorporate this in my business and utilize it when working with my clients. I work to have them feel like their special memories and moments are being captured by someone who truly cares about who they are- like a best friend. Also being able to be the one that creates something for them that lasts forever and can be revisited and enjoyed over and over is a pretty great thing to be trusted with.

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.
I am a lifestyle and portrait photographer based in Portland, OR (but dual located in Portland and LA). I love getting to document special moments in people’s lives whether that be their engagement, wedding, or even their growing family. I love doing this because it’s playing a small part in giving my clients a way to remember- how they looked, how they interacted, how they FELT. Getting to where I am today sometimes feels like the longest road but also feels like I just began yesterday! I of course have had all of the typical struggles that entrepreneurs have to overcome when jumping out of the corporate world and into the self employment arena. I am extremely thankful for the mentors that have come into my life and the fellowship of vendors that I’ve gotten to meet and work alongside. I also believe my strong faith and extremely encouraging and supportive family have gotten me through all the dark days of running my business (because there will definitely be those days). I want to be known and trusted as a friend to my clients!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well since I’ve moved to Portland, my itinerary would look a bit different than when I was living in San Diego (not to mention navigating a global pandemic). But for Portland, I would say that a perfect day would consist of grabbing a coffee or tea from one of the many coffee stands available, driving up to see a few waterfalls or enjoy a nice hike in the Columbia Gorge, spending the afternoon trying out a food truck or two, and finishing it up with some thrift shopping (and maybe another coffee)!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My good friend Jackie Tricerri, owner of Honor Design Co! She is the gal behind my logos and branding and her and her husband were also my first wedding clients who trusted me to document their elopement! That is almost singlehandedly the wedding that got me to fall in love with becoming a wedding and elopement photographer. Fast forward almost two years later and we still have weekly virtual work sessions and are each others biggest cheerleaders and supporters. She is truly my entrepreneurial bestie!

Website: simplywanderingphoto.com
Instagram: instagram.com/simplywanderingphoto
Facebook: facebook.com/simplywanderingphoto

Image Credits
all my images and edits!

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.