Emma Bassill

My photography journey began in high school, where a junior-year photo class sparked an unexpected passion. I quickly found myself photographing friends, experimenting, and falling in love with storytelling through images. That passion led me to shift to independent study my senior year so I could pursue a full-time photography internship. The day I graduated, I officially began my career as a photographer.


Born and raised in Los Angeles, I still call it home. I live in the Angeles Mountains with my husband, Nico, our two-year-old son, Leo, two dogs, three chickens, and our rescued mustang, Rosie — our own little corner of the world that fuels my creativity and sense of calm.


With a background in modeling, I bring a unique perspective to my work. While I never fully connected with being in front of the camera, that experience helps me guide and direct my subjects with empathy and ease. I understand what it feels like to be on both sides of the lens, and I think that makes a difference in the images I create.


Over the past 11+ years, my style has evolved into what I now consider my visual signature. I work with both film and digital, though since 2018 I’ve primarily shot on film. There’s an honesty and soulfulness in film that’s hard to replicate — it slows you down, encourages intention, and gives every frame a weight that resonates.


Fashion campaigns and editorials are where my heart is. I’m passionate about storytelling through imagery — creating work that moves beyond aesthetics to evoke a feeling, a mood, a narrative. I believe the most compelling campaigns are the ones that leave an emotional imprint. I love being involved in every stage of the creative process: from location scouting and concept development to casting and production. Every detail matters and contributes to the final story.


In addition to my commercial and editorial work, I started a personal project in 2016 called Humans of the Streets. What began as a desire to understand and document life on Skid Row has since grown into a broader mission — traveling to other cities, collaborating with charities, and using photography as a tool to raise awareness and support for those experiencing homelessness. My goal is to humanize these individuals and help shift public perception, ultimately advocating for solutions that get people off the streets and into safe housing.


Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. If you’d like to connect or inquire about working together, feel free to head to my contact page. I’d love to hear from you

 

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