Meet Emma Bahrton | Photographer

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

Hi Emma, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from Sweden and grew up on a smaller island outside of Stockholm, a place where everyone knows everyone. I think growing up in that kind of close knit community and feeling like you don’t really fit in really shapes you and that’s why I got so connected to photography when I was so young. When I got my first camera at age 10 I became absolutely obsessed with everything that had to do with photography to do and it was truly an escape for me. I was absolutely the weird shy kid that brought a big dslr to school but looking back it helped me enormously when it came to connecting with my classmates. The camera worked great as emotional support and I’m so happy it helped me feel safer.
I think growing up in a small place where everyone looked and acted the same also made me curious about the opposite and even if I was shy as a kid I always knew I wanted to move somewhere bigger. I always knew that the feeling of not fitting in was because I was meant for something bigger and not because there was something wrong with me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My photography work is focused on shooting campaigns and social media content for influencers and brands. My work contains everything from bigger in-store campaign jobs for different clothing stores to shooting more simple social media content for different bigger influencers. I think that’s what I love so much about what I’ve built in my work – the variety of work I do within photography! I love that every job is so different. And, if I could describe my photos I would describe them as timeless and minimalistic with a huge focus on complementary lighting. Basically, Scandinavian design but photography version!
I think what sets me aside from others as a photographer is that I am extremely collaborative and communicative with the model during the shoot. I’m a strong believer that 50% of how the shot is gonna turn out is based on the model and how comfortable they are with the theme and the idea that we are shooting. You can always tell when someone is not comfortable in the image and I think my biggest accomplishment has been that I have build that confidence in people during my career – the people I’ve shot several times trust me that they will like the end result. Otherwise, I think a lot of photographers can be very set in certain their way and their creative way of doing things without catering to each specific client.
Oh no, getting to where I am today has been anything else than a smooth ride! I think any creative person can agree on that this profession comes with a lot of doubt – you’re always scared your work isn’t creative, good or new thinking enough. However, I got very lucky as a young photographer in Stockholm and got scooped up by amazing companies & people that hired me and that until this day are incredibly supportive of my journey. I’m also incredibly lucky that the people I attended photography school with is still my absolute best friends and anytime I’m unsure about my craft I always call them to get feedback. I truly have great people around me!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a huge nature person and think one of the highlights of the city is all the hikes! So I would start with a hike at my favorite place to hike, which is Bronson Canyon, it’s so pretty and calm, and if you’re lucky, you can see some of the trail horses walking by. I would then take them to get lunch & some Swedish cardamom buns at Clark Street in Larchmont because Larchmont is such an oasis of calmness, and everyone loves some Swedish pastries. I would end the day by grabbing a cider at All Seasons Brewery in Miracle Mile and some Swedish candy at Sockerbit on 3rd street!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh, that’s so easy for me! Definitely Sophie Angner! She was one of the first people I shot with when I moved to Los Angeles and is today one of my best friends and biggest supporters. I remember when I reached out to her to shoot her in LA for the first time and I was so nervous as I had watched her on Swedish television (Top Model Sweden) and thought she was so cool – who could’ve thought she would become a great friend! She is also the most driven person I know who not only models but also is an actress and recently launched her own Tennis clothing brand called “Pommier Tennis” which is another Swedish-inspired brand. We also get to shoot and work together for a lot of different brands, which is such a blessing! When you work with people you like it does not feel like work at all.

Another local company that I would love to shout out is Sockerbit, which is a Swedish candy store & online shop. I’ve been working as a photographer for them for the past year, and both the owners and everyone working there are so incredibly sweet & supportive. If you’re by the grove, you need to go and try their Swedish candy!

Website: https://www.bahrton.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma.bahrton

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-bahrton