Pretty As A Picture
Body-positive photographer Emma Wood believes we are all beautiful in our own way.
Interview by Paul Rouse…
Emma Wood’s story doesn’t follow along conventional lines. Yet it certainly has parallels with the great storyteller Hans Christian Andersen.
“I guess you could say I was the proverbial ugly duckling,” she admits. “I was raised on a pig farm in West Yorkshire. I was bullied in school by everyone and anyone, including some so-called ‘friends.’ I was laughed at for the clothes I wore, and the way I spoke. I was called fat and ugly. I was often left by myself at lunch. My confidence was stripped away. So I retreated to the shadows. I knew I would rather be real and alone, than fake for the sake of popularity. In the shadows, I could be me, quietly.”
So it’s quite a leap to come across the Emma of today: vivacious, happy, fulfilled and running a very successful photography business in… Alberta.
“Don’t ask me why,” she says, “but at a very young age, about seven or eight, I had a strong desire to become a police officer. I also had a passion for photography, but that would only ever be a hobby (or so I thought). At the age of 21, I became a police officer for West Yorkshire Police, where I met my hubby. It was a relatively short-lived career of about six years before we decided to emigrate to Canada…and we’re still here.
“By this time, I had realised policing wasn’t the career for me, so I took moving to another country as an opportunity to start afresh. The thought of becoming a professional photographer kept entering my head, which I would quickly dismiss and laugh at: because how do you make money taking pictures? But I’m also the type of person to give things a go, and see what happens…so I did. I started my photography business just a few months after landing on Canadian soil. That was just over 13 years ago, and it is now my full-time career.”
Free
An intrinsic part of Emma’s success can be put down to her attitude and approach to nudity. And in particular, body positivity.
“There was a time in my life that I was shy about my body, and wanted to keep it to myself. I’ve never been embarrassed by nudity as such, since my parents were often naked at home. It was normal. It was more due to my own self-confidence – or lack of.
“However, a combination of my upbringing, and then becoming a creative photographer, means I have always had a healthy interest and appreciation for the naked body. I love that we are all different, and all beautiful in our own way. And I am no longer insecure or shy about being naked. I actually love being free of uncomfortable clothes and the weight of fabric. I have very sensitive skin, and can usually feel every waistband or seam. It’s such a relief to discard that irritation. We’re often naked at home, and frequently visit our local nudist riverside beach.
“The first time was with a friend as a bucket-list item for both of us, but since then I’ve been back for several naked photoshoots. I usually take off my clothes even though I am behind the camera, because it feels respectful to lead by example, and give my clients the added comfort and courage to ditch their own clothes. They appreciate it a lot.”
Evolved
Emma’s business has evolved over the years, but the name – Pretty as a Picture – explains almost everything you need to know.
“I photograph women,” she explains matter-of-factly. “Boudoir, glamour, beauty portraits, branding for business. I didn’t start out by specialising, however. I used to photograph anything and everything: weddings, babies, families, events. But after experiencing boudoir for the first time in front of the camera, I slowly but surely let go of everything else.”
Being photographed naked was a nerve-wracking experience for Emma, but one that became a defining moment. “After being pampered by the makeup artist and hairstylist,” she relates, “I was relaxed and ready. My nerves disappeared completely, and I felt the most beautiful and confident I had ever felt: something I wasn’t expecting at all. I knew then that I wanted to pay those feelings forward to other women.”
It's been a career move that she finds intensely rewarding. “Over the years, I have met so many brave and beautiful women. Many of my clients have become friends, and they just keep coming back for more, because these experiences – either within a group or one-on-one with me – is their therapy. I never expected that to happen, but I am so glad it has.”
Mission
She is also quick to dismiss critics of her chosen style of photography. “The definition of boudoir, to me, is capturing the raw and sensual beauty of a woman. That doesn’t necessarily mean being naked if you don’t want it to; it’s more about being brave enough to see, and show, the real you. Boudoir is about discovering who you are.
“I’m on a mission to create a community of confident women, and photography is my tool for doing that. I don’t just take their pictures, however. I coach them through any insecurities they may have. Sometimes it takes a couple of visits, but most of my clients are willing and eager to return, and they are braver each time. I often start their day with a meditation session too, so they can truly relax into their experience.”
The weather in Canada for much of the year might not be that suitable for the naturist lifestyle, but Emma isn’t unduly bothered. “I do love being outside in nature. It’s one of my favourite things to do. I usually start my morning walking through the trees with my cats. We live in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by fields and forest. It’s the perfect outdoor studio, especially for nude or part-nude shoots.”
Mix
Emma explains that the majority of her ‘models’ are everyday women, most of them aged between late thirties to early sixties, and occasionally older. The photoshoots meanwhile take place in a mix of indoor and outdoor locations.
“My indoor studio is in my home, and my outdoor studio is my ten acres of land. I always encourage clients to try a mixture of both, even in the snowy winters. And if they are comfortable enough to go naked, I am always drawn to capturing their bravery outside, natural in nature. Since I’m on a mission to encourage women to embrace exactly who they are, I’m all about being natural. I think that’s why I love the outdoors so much, and why hair and makeup is not mandatory.
“If we do choose to venture away from the studio, I like to find somewhat private and quiet, often with a body of water. I love going on adventures, and if I can incorporate that into my work, even better.”
Vision
She also has nothing but admiration for the subjects of her photographs.
“More and more women are becoming comfortable with being naked in their photos, even for their first experience. Perhaps it’s because they are drawn to the bravery of the other women who have already been there and done that? They see these women on my socials and website, and can relate to their body shape and size, and it gives them the courage to give it a try.
“I will never pressure my clients into doing anything they don’t want to do, of course. I usually wait for them to give me the nod that they are comfortable and ready. It’s these photos that they are usually the most in love with. The only time I dictate that nudity is a must is for my annual Bare Your Bum event. This is a nude shoot that I have hosted since 2020.
“Before I even became a professional photographer, I had this nude photo idea: a group of different people (men, women, children, babies) all standing in one long line, bums to the camera. One day I decided to give it a go. My original vision didn’t come to fruition, but a few years later, I decided to host my first Bare Your Bum event, which is when I first created the photo I had envisioned. The event has become one of my favourite parts of my business, something I look forward to every year.”
Showcase
When it comes to promotion, Emma tends to use Facebook and Instagram to showcase her work, and any upcoming events. “I’m pretty active and consistent with my posting,” she says. “Google seems to like it, as I’m ranking high in my area, and I’m lucky enough to have a team of ‘ambassadors’ – my clients – who post their own pictures and then tag me.”
She explains that not only are clients’ photos never posted without their consent, but that she feels she doesn’t even need to ask them if she can use their photos: she waits until they are comfortable enough to ask her.
“I find on the whole that clients are becoming more courageous when it comes to social media exposure, because they are seeing more and more real bodies on social media in general. It encourages them to do the same.”
In addition to her current activities, Emma is also keen to collaborate with other female entrepreneurs to create empowering events for women. She is also in the process of writing her second book, which will be a collection of confidence stories and activities to help others to create confidence in their lives.
“I firmly believe that by doing my own ‘thing,’ this will hopefully inspire others to do theirs. That will create a butterfly effect and a trend of body positivity and self-confidence. It’s happening already, slowly but surely. We just have to be brave enough to be ourselves, which will give others ‘permission’ to do the same. There will always be naysayers and people who are not willing to change, but there are plenty of people out there who want to change. Hopefully they will become part of this movement, inspiring others in the same way that they were inspired.”
