For as long as I can recall, Emily Lab has been a force of positive energy in my life. As my family’s beloved childhood summer babysitter, she taught me the invaluable lessons of creativity and believing in myself. First, with simple things, like how to draw mermaids and perfect my dive into the pool, and later with the fundamentals of photography and the importance of trusting my creative eye.

Although there is a decade between us, Emily always treated me as if I were much older, asking me thoughtful questions at the age of eleven, like, “What is your dream career?” and “Who do you admire?”. One summer she even invited me, on a whim, to St. Barts to assist on her photoshoots, including a staged picnic in the middle of the ocean. Last fall, though we hadn’t seen each other in two years, Emily asked me to write for the inaugural issue of her magazine, Zion, and from my bedroom in Miami, I did just that.

Here’s the point: Emily always took the time to foster my creativity, even as her photography career took off. Seventeen years later, Emily Lab is still the carefree, adventurous, and fun-loving Emily I adored as a three-year-old. 

Today, with a following of 50k, thirty year-old Emily Lab is making a name for herself in the photography world, traveling wherever the light takes her. What a privilege it is to be able to say, “I know her!”

On an unconventional and inspiring childhood 

As a child my family moved a lot, we lived between St. Barts, Santa Fe New Mexico, and France. Three very different cultures so I understood from a young age that there are different ways of living and you don’t have to conform to a certain set of ideas.

On choosing a career in photography

We had a lot of art and photography books in the house, and I loved looking at the beautiful images. When I was in 9th grade, my older sister and her friends came home one day to find me lying on the floor in the living room photographing the legs of our dining table (lol), so she introduced me to her friends as « my sister the photographer » and that’s when it hit me that taking pictures was an actual profession. That was the exact moment I decided I would be a photographer. 

Who were you at twenty?

I was a student in Paris working part time in a production company and going to photo-school where I was majoring in photo-journalism. After 2 years I transferred to Savannah College of Art and Design where I majored in photography. What’s interesting is that in France our professors were really focused on technique whereas in the US, creativity was most valued. So it was great to have and understand both teachings and methods. Back then I think I was a bit naive and anxious to finish school and start working as a photographer as soon as possible.

How have you evolved since? 

I have become more patient and have learned to trust myself and my intuition when it comes to work and creativity. 

On living and working in St. Barts year round

Living and working in St Barts is great, I can’t complain! Island life is more laid back and relaxed, which is a great pace for me. St. Barts is so beautiful, every day I’m amazed by the island’s beauty.

On finding inspiration for her work

I think light it what mostly inspires my work. I’m obsessed with light. When I see a beautifully lit scene it gives me ideas of how I could shoot something or someone. 

I also try to make positive and happy images. I love an image that conveys serenity and harmony. We are exposed to so much stress in everyday life, I think it’s important to show beautiful moments - images that will make people think ‘Life is actually pretty beautiful!’.

On the art of nude photography

Yes, I like doing nudes. Female nudes are such a huge part of art history, we have always celebrated the human body since ancient Greece, and it’s important to keep celebrating it, especially today when there is so much controversy around nudity. In my work I am trying to convey a beautiful image of the woman’s body in an inoffensive and almost naive way. Nudity is just the basic human condition, we were all born naked, we all have the same bodies, we all have arms and legs and nipples and butts, so the idea that nudity could be offensive is actually really disturbing to me. I think it’s important that we learn to disassociate nudity from sexuality. 

On launching Zion Magazine

I created Zion magazine in St. Barts 2 years ago. The magazine is a tribute to the island and I collaborate with other artists each year to celebrate St. Barts in an artistic way. 

Financially it was definitely a risk though because launching a magazine is expensive so I had to make sure I had the funding I needed. It’s also a challenge because right now I’m doing this alone, the creative part and the commercial part, which can sometimes be difficult, but I love it. 

What advice would you give to yourself at twenty? 

I would tell myself not to worry or stress so much, and to stay focused on my goals. 

What would you say to a twenty-something year old about finding her place in the world, especially someone with a passion for a creative industry?

I would tell them to trust themselves and their creativity. To me, the beauty of creativity is the sharing of one’s sentiments with others, there is an intimate quality to art and all creative entities. You need to be honest and generous in your work if you want it to truly touch people and have an impact on them.

View Emily Lab’s work here

Image by Christophe Panepinto