hey, I'm Em.

I’m the photographer, stylist and creative mind behind Swell Studios.

Before stepping behind the camera, I spent almost a decade working as a photographic stylist, creating imagery for brands, products and interiors. After styling countless shoots, I’ve learnt that great images are rarely about the camera alone. They're built through thoughtful styling, creative direction, composition, light and all the little decisions that happen before the shutter is even touched.

I've always been drawn to things with a story. I grew up rummaging for curious objects in garage sales with my mum, and spent countless hours renovating and building things in the shed with my dad. Not much has changed. I’m still drawn to things with character, whether it's treasures from my travels, second-hand finds, or a sculptural branch growing on the side of a walking track that has more soul than anything I'd find at a flower market.

Then somewhere along the way, all those interests collided into a career. A love of interiors led me to study interior architecture, styling photoshoots became my world for almost a decade, and photography eventually tied everything together. I'm just as comfortable behind a drill as I am behind a camera, and I believe the best imagery comes from curiosity, resourcefulness and noticing the little things.

Through Swell, I bring all of those creative elements together. From photography, styling and creative direction to videography, prop sourcing, location scouting and production support, I work alongside brands to create imagery that feels thoughtful, authentic and deeply connected to the people behind it.

Based on the Gold Coast and regularly working between Queensland, my home town of Adelaide and beyond, I'm always happy to travel wherever a great project takes me.

Whether you've got a clear vision, just the beginnings of an idea, or absolutely no bloody clue where to start — I'd love to hear from you.