The Heart Behind My Lens: Creative Techniques That Shape My Work

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Sep 10

Photography, for me, has never been about standing still and smiling for the camera. It’s about noticing! The way light lingers on your skin at sunset, how laughter softens your shoulders, or how the ocean mirrors the sparkle of the moment. My approach is inspired by connection and creativity, using techniques that let me capture not just how a moment looks, but how it feels.

Black and white photo of a couple during their wedding in Cozumel, laughing and celebrating with their friends captured by Emmedelmar. — Ammba & Yantar’s beautiful wedding in Cozumel (2025)

Lights and Shadows

I’m endlessly drawn to natural light, especially the golden glow of a late afternoon. Sometimes I’ll let shadows embrace you or create a silhouette against the horizon. Light isn’t just illumination; it carries mood and emotion. A warm glow can whisper tenderness, while shadows bring depth and mystery.

Photo of a couple looking at the golden sunset and ocean glitter captured by Emmedelmar in Cozumel. — Sergio & Nicole, Cozumel. (2025)

Reflections and Frames

Reflections just fascinate me. Whether it’s the glitter of the ocean, reflections on a glass window, or the surface of a quiet pool, they hold a dreamlike quality, showing both what’s seen and what’s hidden. I also love using frames found in nature—branches, doorways, textures; so your story feels intimate, like a secret moment caught between worlds.

Photo of a woman and her baby behind a window, reflections of trees on the window, captured by Emmedelmar in Cozumel. — Valentina & Jos, Cozumel (2025)

Movement over Poses

I don’t want you to worry about standing perfectly still! I’ll always encourage you to move! Walk barefoot along the sand, twirl in your dress, run like drunken buddies hand in hand. Movement carries honesty, and honesty carries emotion. These are the fleeting gestures that show the real you, the moments that breathe life into your story.

photo of a couple splashing water in the ocean, with a golden sunset in the background captured by Emmedelmar in Cozumel. — Nicole & Sergio, Cozumel (2025)

Layers of Artistry

Every so often, I weave multiple layers into a single frame: through double exposures or blending textures of nature with your portrait. These are like visual poems from me to you, merging emotions, places, and memories into one timeless image.

Photo in black in white of a double exposure of a couple's hands touching with flowers overlaying captured by Emmedelmar in Cozumel.

The Beauty of Imperfection

Wind in your hair, a burst of laughter mid-kiss, the sand on your skin; these are not flaws, they are truths! And truths are so beautiful. I treasure imperfections because they hold the raw, unpolished magic of life as it is.

photo in black and white of a mother hugging a baby captured by Emmedelmar in Malibu. — Sofia & Sunny, Malibu (2025)

My Philosophy

At the heart of everything, my creative process is simple: to see you, as you are, and to honor it. The techniques are just brushstrokes; what matters is the story within the frame… The love you share, the joy that explodes naturally, the presence you carry in that exact moment.

Photography, to me, is less about taking a picture and more about creating an experience. One where you can relax, breathe, and simply be, while I hold space for your essence to unfold, and preserve it in photos that will remain long after the moment has passed.

With tons of love,
Emme