Henry

On February 15th, I gave birth to my son Henry. This time has been a roller coaster of emotions, a lesson in grace for myself as I navigate becoming a mom. I’m happy to begin to turn the camera inward and get back to creating personal work as I take on this new journey. I am so in love and so in awe of him. Currently, taking the workshop the “The Experiences of Womanhood" with Elinor Carucci and excited to share photos as I go along.

'All Things Pink'

Excited for this image to be part of 💖'All Things Pink'💖in The Luupe. Living in LA was an emotional and weird time for me. Happy to have gone back into all the photos I was taking at the time, and have this one be part of something special.

Portrait of Fed Muyshondt for CEO Magazine

This was such a fun shoot for CEO Magazine, a portrait of Fed Muyshondt of BODYARMOR. I loved these natural light images I took of him, in the parking lot! There was a beautiful textured black wall that was totally in the shade. Fed was open to a few spots, and it shows in the diversity of images the editor ended up choosing.

Embracing that Flash⚡

Many moons ago, when I first started on my photography career, I had quite the aversion to using flash or external lights. It came partly from fear of using them incorrectly, and partly from fear of getting electrocuted….yes. When in college, the external lights we had were operated solely by power outlets and when the professor went over the safety of the lights, I shut down. For a few very brief years, I chose jobs solely based on lighting situations that I was comfortable with. Thankfully, that all changed with years of challenging on location situations. There was no way to continue being a photographer, without embracing the SCARY flash⚡

I stand before you today, proud to say that I have embraced all sorts of external lighting and have welcomed many a dark, shadowy room on set. Recently, I photographed Heidi Merris in her beautiful Dumbo office. The office had wonderful natural light, but we decided to play with my Canon Speedlite and create something a bit more interesting. I love these photos for many reasons, but particularly for a timestamp in my career as a reminder of where I once was a decade ago.

May you all embrace your external lights, whatever that may be ⚡

Lately

I recently had the opportunity to spend an hour with Sophie Anna Everhard while renting out a Hasselblad. This camera has always felt like magic, and when I used it on my recent trip to Japan, I knew I had to touch base with it again. Here’s a few dreamy shots taken in Central Park right around that pretty 5pm light. I had trouble with a bit of the focusing while having her stand in front of the sunlight, but ultimately a few of those turned out lovely.

Hope your Spring, is feeling like this ✨

120 film Hasselblad photograph by Emily Frances Olson

Japan & Hawaii, A Dream on 120

Ryan and I took a four week trip where we took a very quick stop in Hawaii to visit his cousin who is on deployment there. He graciously showed us around for five days. If you visit Hawaii, I highly recommend taking a very committed stop to The Bishop Museum to learn seriously about the history of Hawaii. Then we headed to Japan, a destination that has been on our minds individually and collectively for a long time.

I decided to rent a Hasselblad to take with me, for the hopes of slowing down my time. Over the last few years in visiting places, I will take out the notes app on my phone and quickly type in what I do that day because time is WEIRD! On my notes from Thursday April 6th: Did a film tour with David, who introduced me to Shinjuku. I am overwhelmed with happiness to be here. I hope to not regret taking this camera, because I want to shoot everything, all of it, and all at once.

The camera did fail on me about half way through the trip with a busted shutter (bah!) I still managed to take a few rolls which I was so happy to do. Even in having the camera fail on me and even in writing about how much I wanted to ‘shoot shoot shoot’, there was something so profoundly mechanical about the whole experience. It truly slowed me down. If you cannot rent or have no interest in having a medium format with you on your trips, may I recommend the next best thing— phone on airplane mode. Just for a few fleeting moments.

Here’s a few of my favorites from both Hawaii and Japan. If you need any recommendations, please reach out. Happy May and happy adventures <3

120 film Hasselblad photograph of cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Japan by Emily Frances Olson
120 film Hasselblad photograph in Tokyo Japan by Emily Frances Olson

Winter with Danny Brown


It is feeling like January lately in NY. I wanted to pop in and share just two photos that also ‘feel’ like this month.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Chef Danny Brown on his first ever cookbook.

I greatly admire food photographers who work specifically with intricate/complex lighting setups, but personally I enjoy shooting very simply. Sometimes it works, sometimes I need more lights. This portrait of Danny, and this winter scene of ingredients, connects me to this season.

Published in the New York Times!

This was a lovely surprise this morning Carlene Bauer is an awesome author I’ve had the pleasure of recently photographing for her newly released book ‘Girls They Write Songs About’ Her portrait and review was just featured in The New York Times.

Here’s a fitting excerpt:

‘When Rose and I moved to the city, living in Brooklyn meant you had to commute to Manhattan in order to have a good time. Tokens were still the only currency accepted by the subway. The New York Times printed their photos in black and white, and there was no such thing as the Style section.’

First Cover of CEO Magazine!

CEO Magazine was one of the first magazines to have reached out to me when I started my career. I remember the first shoot was a quick portrait done in a hotel lobby in Manhattan. The CEO (as expected) I met was rushed for time. We chose a corner of the hotel bar to photograph him. There was just enough window light to allow for me to capture some moodiness, and just enough time for me to get the job done. I’d like to think the art directors have trusted me since that quick, quick shoot.

Fast forward 5-6 years, and I am photographing the cover of CEO Magazine! Thankful for this opportunity, and for meeting Micheal T. Pugh, CEO of Carver Federal Bank, an institution dedicated to inclusivity in their home base of Harlem. You can read the inspiring article here.

CEO Magazine Cover of Micheal T. Pugh of Carver Federal Bank by Emily Frances Olson

2021 ------> 2022

Happy New Year! Sent out my first newsletter of the year, here's a quick recap of my 2021, let's collaborate in 2022! Want to stay connected, subscribe here!

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2021

Accepted as a member of #TheLuupe, an awesome platform connecting women and non-binary photographers to brands.

Worked with clients including Target, Costco Japan, Jeffries Financial, Fortune Magazine, HarperCollins.

Booked and shot my first cover shoot to be published in March and booked my first author portrait for a book coming out in May!

Most excitedly, I spent most of August and September throughout Spain and Mexico. Still working through getting those photos out, as well as giving out the 4 pounds of dried mole to friends ;)

Day Dreaming

Day dreaming in Holga land. These images were taken about 6 months ago in Venice, California. It is always fun to get back developed film <3

A PR Pro's Garden in the Catskills Is Meant To Sustain- and Inspire

This was such a special story to photograph for @archdigestpro Not only for the publication but it was alongside my sister who wrote it, and I made a new friend @therealandrewjoseph I am in love with his backyard in the Catskills of New York. Thank you @thegabgram for the opportunity 🥬🥕🌿 Garden designed by @maryline_damour

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