During the week, Emily works as a pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant nurse at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital where she received cancer treatment as an 11-year-old child. On the weekends, Emily has a front-row seat to document some of people’s most important moments as a wedding photographer.
Emily’s medical journey with acute lymphoblastic leukemia along with her Make-A-Wish experience sparked her desire to pursue both career choices. In 2010, Emily wished for the ultimate portable photo studio, which included a DSLR camera and a laptop with editing software.
Because of her wish experience, Emily initially went into college as a declared photography major.
“As I explored options for the future, it was clear that my desire to be at the bedside with kids going through diagnoses and treatment that resembled what I had been through was becoming more real so I did switch to nursing after my first year,” Emily explained. “With that said, I have photographed over 100 weddings and documented countless families and am continuing to do so. Those experiences may not have happened without Make-A-Wish and my first camera.”