People, Stories, and the Camera’s Focus
Emily Arndt’s background with research for her documentary carries over to client photography work for her business, Em’s Lens.
Leading the work on the documentary The Space Between is an undertaking that is a unique, challenging, and time-consuming pursuit. It also impacts Emily Arndt's other business, Em's Lens, and will likely be reflected in the finished works for her clients. (A portfolio of work can be found here.)
In a previous Culture On The Line article, Emily Arndt on Reducing the Divide, we noted that "her experiences as a political science major (minor in photography) at York College, an AmeriCorps volunteer for the United Way, a Peace Corps volunteer in Azerbaijan, a federal government employee, a 14-hour-long day spent on political campaigns, and a Master's in Political Communication from American University" would impact her perspective on the world around us. As it turns out, these life opportunities also see their way into photography and videography work, both technically and emotively.
When it comes down to it, Emily's philosophy, expressed in the declaration, "I'm a communicator," is the unifying element of her work. Having also professionally created verbal content for local businesses, Arndt understands the importance of research in projects large and small. For clients looking for family photography, she'll take the same in-depth look at the goal of the end product.
“Words matter. A single word can change an entire sentence’s meaning. In my work and in my life, I strive to communicate precisely to ensure whomever I’m communicating with fully understands the message.”
Photography and videography are "means of communication," which Emily has always been interested in. She shares that her family life as a child did "not have a strong structure of communication." Now, she stresses the importance of communication in personal and professional relations. As a communicator, Arndt looks for and works for precision in language.
Arndt explains, “Even if it takes a minute, even if there's a break in conversation, I take the time to find the word that best describes what I want to convey. Words matter. A single word can change an entire sentence's meaning. In my work and in my life, I strive to communicate precisely to ensure whomever I'm communicating with fully understands the message. There's no doubt communication is so important to me because it was so lacking growing up.”
As the strategic communication specialist at a local university, she creates interactions between the school and the public on social media platforms and uses her technical skills and knowledge of how we relate to each other when initializing communications.
Promotional image for the documentary The Space Between
Arndt's work on the years-long documentary project brought with it the skill of not just creating a visual product but instead using a visual medium as a storyteller. There's credibility in following through on "long-haul" projects, creating multiple trailers. Consistency and reliability are necessary for any professional, serious filmmaker.
Her statement that "every video has a narrative" plays out in her documentary and other professional works, like her anniversary video for Community Connections for Children, emphasizing their impact on their own and the greater community.
The business world is a tough one, but Emily is quick to note that south-central Pennsylvania has been supportive of her efforts and successes. A 2022 video for Valley Youth House won a Give Local York award even before her business was up and running. The York County Economic Alliance and the Women's Business Center Organization awarded her a BLOOM grant, and the Cultural Alliance of York County provided a Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator grant. She notes her competitors but feels she's been given a fair shot at moving forward as a business owner. (Her one concern is the need for more women-centered support.)
“If you focus on people, the stories tell themselves.”
The Em's Lens business began in 2023 and grew quickly as the year progressed. It provides everything from business video projects to family portraiture. She's prepared video work for organizations like Arrow Child and Family Ministries, which has northern Maryland homes for young women moving out of the foster care system. The stories told were seen in the faces of the youth as they became their own storytellers. As a small business, Emily sees her one-person team as a strength, meaning clients will be more easily booked, fewer coordination issues, and high-quality work will result.
Emily Arndt prepares promotional photographs for the DreamWrights Center for Community Arts.
Today, clients looking for photography work will find set pricing, while videography typically will be set up with hourly rates. Noting support for nonprofits, they are afforded their own pricing. More information can be found on the business' Thumbtack page.
Strong reviews on Thumbtack and elsewhere note the ease of working with Em's Lens. Emily strives to create projects and photographs that communicate with emotion and share the intended story. The work is thought-provoking, with authenticity as the centering goal.
“I try to live as authentically as possible, and that authenticity shines through in my work for clients. Along with clear communication, I'm told I have a way of helping subjects feel at ease so they can truly be themselves. I'm a very open person, and my business reflects that. I create a warm, inclusive space where everyone feels valued, celebrated, and seen for who they are. Diversity enriches our connections and storytelling.”
Emily's firm belief that "common humanity will unite us" appears in the printed photograph or screen. She is a people-focused creator.
"If you focus on people, the stories tell themselves."
All works copyright
Emily Arndt, The Space Between, and/or Andrew T. Smith