Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Manwell.
Hi Emily, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Let’s take it back to 2012-2013. I was sitting in my photography elective class with Mr. Menkin. I thought photography was cool, but being a high school softball player, my mind was set on playing college softball. I had no clue what I wanted to do for a major, but softball was it. Mr. Menkin told me that I had an eye for photography, and sparked my interest in continuing into AP Photography the following year.
Fast forward to 2013-2014, we are now in my senior year of high school. I decided to take AP Photography because let’s face it, it was one less class I would have to take in college so I could play more softball. Softball was my driving force behind my grades and classes throughout high school. I walked into Mr. Lindroth’s class, and immediately, my creativity was sparked. Mr. Lindroth was so kind and helpful and helped me form my breadth and concentration for our AP submission (if we decided to submit).
I had no idea what a good concentration would be, but then, it hit me. Western photography. Keep in mind my family and I had NO knowledge of horses or Western life. My dad was a police officer, and my mom was a para-educator. My sister and I were raised on the dirt diamond and never strayed from that. Falling in love with the Western culture, livestock, and making people happy through my art finally hit me that day.
Then college happened. I got accepted to play collegiate softball, and all my dreams came true. I had two a day practices and was with my friends all day every day. Photography fell on the back burner to my hours of studies and softball but was still something I did for friends and family occasionally.
I graduated college in 2018 with my Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice and my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I was pretty lost, knowing I wanted to help kids, so I went and got my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in 2020 and my Master of Education in Teacher Leadership in 2021. I have worked as a teacher for a few years and am continuing to teach now!
I lost much of myself when I stopped playing softball and looked to fill a void with many hobbies… The one that always came back to me was photography. In 2022, I was approached by a family friend to take photos of him roping for Facebook. I was hesitant at first because it had been a while since I had done any action photography. I agreed, and the spark was ignited once again. I feel head over heels for photography and threw myself into it, forming Visual Vaquera.
Visual Vaquera is a labor of love. It is about representing the cowboy and cowgirl ways of life while finding yourself each day. I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to form and create Visual Vaquera while working with all of you!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The formation of Visual Vaquera has not always been an easy road. Being a female in a male-dominated industry can be tough, but I have made such amazing connections and friends along the way.
One of the major struggles I’ve faced is self-doubt. We can be our own worst critics, and that is one of the things I am working on moving into 2023!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Besides being a Western Photographer, I am also a 5th Grade Teacher and dual business owner. I have a tutoring company and my photography company while working full-time as a teacher!
I am proud of my efforts and determination when it comes to being successful at all I do.
What does success mean to you?
Success is reaching your own personal goals. I don’t think success can be defined as a number in the bank or how much “stuff” you own, but rather, success can be defined by how fulfilled you feel in your career and life.
Contact Info:
- Website: Visualvaquera.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualvaquera/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/visualvaquera
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@visual.vaquera?_t=8YoOJ0dkXSU&_r=1
Image Credits
@visualvaquera
