The Dreamers - Banabae x Emma Wand

1 day ago

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Written by

1 day ago

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Written by

We're thrilled to welcome Emma Wand, our collaborator in the Dreamers blog series. Usually behind the lens, this time Emma steps in front of the camera as we explore her own story.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and who is in your family?

I’m a mother to Cash (named after Johnny for any musicians out there), wife to Benny K (we have been together 20 years this year) and dog mama to Betty girl (our Frenchie and my first fur baby). I’m a lover of living simply and minimalistic. Ben and I met over our mutual love for punk/rock music, going to gigs every weekend. These days, we live quieter as Cash is only three, but music is a huge part of our lives. We live for the beach, beers in the sun, mindfulness and family time.

The other huge part of me is my photography business, which captures beautiful families all over. I also educate family photographers through an online course and in-person workshops that help them run their businesses. It’s been a dream of mine to help others succeed and make their goals come true.

Where do you live, and how has the local environment and community shaped your daily life?

We live a minimalistic life in our 1960’s redbrick apartment in South Cronulla. We love spending more time outside at the beach but also take ourselves into the inner west often for art, culture and good food. Marrickville and Newtown are some of our favourite places to hang out. We will always live near the sea. The ocean is everything!

Your photography captures such an honest, earthy beauty—especially in family life and motherhood. What drew you to this kind of storytelling?

I have nostalgia and adventure in my heart. I’m unafraid of vulnerability. A bringer of joy, good times and a free spirited mama who just “gets it”. I need to capture imperfect moments and real stories more than posed pics. I absolutely love getting to know my clients and the storytelling part of my job. I’ve always loved taking photos, and my dad has documented my whole life through videos and photos. I want to do this for others, especially mothers, as so many of them don’t have a dad like mine and are never in photos.

You have been a long-time collaborator with us here at Banabae; we have a very similar vibe and energy. What drew you to working with us?

Your morals and values are the same as mine, the colours and style are similar to my branding, my obsession with 60’s and 70’s prints, and you scream that Alana & Jas’s energy and vibe is so frickin wonderful. I love feeding off your creativity and love for running a small business. It’s also amazing to support a local business too! You girls are killing it, and I knew from the moment I met you both that I had a dream of working with you one day. I always feel grateful our lives crossed paths.

Many creatives talk about a moment of alignment—a project or shoot where everything just clicked. Has there been a recent session that reminded you why you do what you do?

YES! 100 per cent Mel Griffith and her family. (Insta @thegoodlifegriffiths) They were just so present and wild. It was full of craziness and curiosity and, most importantly, LOVE! I want to continue educating my clients on how to let go of perfect moments and just be with their families at their sessions. An excuse to slow down and explore.

As someone who documents so many tender family memories for others, how do you approach memory-making in your own life? Do you find yourself behind the lens at home, or are you learning to step in front of it, too?

Sometimes, I do self-portraits with Cash; I pop my camera on a tripod and set where it takes around 30 frames every 10 seconds. I love documenting random moments at home like this. (The photos from today were like this). I do book photographers every year to photograph my own family. I think investing back into my own industry is really important, and I love how every photographer views the world differently.

Photography is both an art form and an act of preservation. What emotions or truths are you most hoping to capture for the families you work with?

Kindness, love and presence. Put that phone away, disconnect for a while and JUST BE! We are all too overstimulated. I want to give families a chance to reconnect. To find beauty in simple moments.

Nature plays a huge role in your work—it’s often a backdrop but also a character. How does your connection to land and place shape the way you create?

Firstly, I love finding locations that actually mean something to my client. That way it’s already showing and telling a story. I always get to shoots early. I love walking around and grounding myself prior and I feed off new locations as it’s so inspiring and creative to see different landscapes and light.

You often photograph other people’s most meaningful milestones. What are some rituals or quiet practices you have to reconnect with your own creativity between shoots?

A perfect day starts with all five of us snuggled in bed, a hot coffee in my hand, Meditation, breath work, silent beach walks, podcasts, swimming in the oceans. I could go on and on with this list. I think it’s important to do this daily.

And finally - you happen to own the majority of the Banabae range, so instead of asking you about your favourite pieces, maybe you can tell us about some products you wish we would make!?

Oh my goodness, I just LOVE everything you do. My home is basically a Banabae catalogue, haha. Some 1960’s/1970’s style mini dresses with women with matchee kids clothes. I have a memory of my mum dressing my sister in the same dress. The fabric was floral and looked like an old curtain print. AND a camera bag for photographers!!! I would love to design one basically like your backpack but with camera pockets. I think we should do this together for sure!! I’m just putting it out there, haha.

Shop Emma's family favourites: