Emily Howe’s street photography is raw and empathetic
Normally, when I discover a photographer, it’s because I see their images first and then learn about their personality after. That wasn’t the case with Emily Howe, as I learned about her through a YouTube interview. I was so drawn to her personality that I hoped her photographic style would match her energy and vibe, she didn’t disappoint.
Film photography made in New York is one of my favorite things to consume, especially when it’s being made in the present time. Howe’s street photography has that classic raw, edgy style that is synonymous with NYC, but it also has plenty of gentle empathy sprinkled over it - she’s getting the balance just right.
Although relatively new to street photography, Howe has been involved with the photo industry for over a decade, and I was eager to learn how she found her transition into creating candid frames. She very kindly took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some of my questions.
Them Frames: You’ve worked for New York Magazine, Refinery29 and Time Magazine. How has all that experience influenced the photographer you are today?
Emily Howe: It’s certainly helped to keep me humbled and inspired by the work of much better photographers than myself. TIME especially was an exciting place to work as we had many living legends contributing to issues regularly, and it was invigorating to be around real, impactful stories being told and worked out by the very talented staff and contract photographers.
Them Frames: Despite being in and around photography for over a decade, you’ve only been shooting street photography for one year…what prompted you to start practicing the medium?
Emily Howe: It was really just about geography and timing, when I was in NY prior it wasn’t ever something that crossed my mind and I was more interested in taking over-edited ‘#lookup’ shots of skyscrapers. We all make mistakes!
It wasn’t until I moved to LA and was pushed to try film, then gifted a Mamiya RB67 for my birthday did my personal photographic practice really change. I shot a lot of portraits at home during the first COVID lockdowns, and then landscapes on weekend road trips. Moving back to NY was really the first time that street photography felt like something that was possible and that I could push myself to work up the nerve and try.
Them Frames: Looking at your website, I see there’s a lot of imagery created in the wilderness. In regards to shooting experience, how have you found the contrast between shooting in nature and shooting amongst the hustle and bustle of the streets?
Emily Howe: I like the reprieve of it, I visit my family often up in Connecticut and have my car there as well. Mentally, it’s a nice escape to wake up in the woods, grab a coffee, and start an early morning drive to chase light on the twisty, turn roads out in farm country. Helps me to momentarily forget about all of the unrelenting filth I’m surrounded by in New York.
Them Frames: Please can you share a street photograph that you made that you’re really fond of, explaining why…
Emily Howe: Man pissing in the middle of SoHo at 1PM on a nice September day as families walk by. I like images that reveal how loosely paper-clipped together and on the brink of collapse this entire thing is.
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Theme Frames: The Leica M6 is your tool of choice, please can you explain what it is about that camera that inspires you to shoot street photography…
Emily Howe: I care about aesthetics and longevity in expensive purchases, similar to a watch, a camera is an extension of my aesthetic choices. If I’m going to spend a lot of time with something on my person it better look good while doing it’s job reliably. I only live once so I’m going to surround myself with as many beautiful things as I can!
No, the all black customized Leica M6 that I kept my eyes out for over the years won’t make me a better shooter, but it makes me want to have the camera around me at all times and I think it’s important (at least for hopelessly shallow people such as myself) to have that relationship with your tools.
Them Frames: I really like your YT content, Street Chronicles is a cool series. What are your plans with the channel and what is your biggest barrier in terms of consistency?
Emily Howe: I find slapping the GoPro on can very quickly take me out of the moment and make it difficult to focus on making photographs that I’d deem acceptable to share, I want to bully myself when I have it on! Most of what I’ve posted on YouTube I'm not thrilled with but it was a nice challenge to learn video editing.
It’s also purely a labor of love as I don’t see it bringing home the bacon in any way, nor do I have any grand plans/delusions for it to do so. All of those factors combine into it being a fairly big lift for little to no return, but I know some people have wanted to see more so I’ll try to make another attempt at getting back on the channel soon! Maybe! Probably!
Them Frames: Street photography can teach us many transferable life skills. If any, what type of impact has practicing street photography had on who you are as a person?
Emily Howe: It’s really just a carrot on a stick that I enjoy. Gives my free time structure and goals, and helps to keep my eye sharp and inform my work in the creative industry as well. Lately I’ve made a few friends and had some interesting opportunities arise from it which has been really satisfying and fun given I’ve mostly toiled by myself over the years.
Them Frames: What song or artist do you feel best compliments your photography?
Emily Howe: Is That All There Is by Peggy Lee
Them Frames: Finally, please finish this sentence: I need photography in my life because…
Emily Howe: “what the hell else do I have going on?”
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