Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Bermeo.
Hi Emma, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, my mom and I wouldn’t go on trips. We would go to concerts, specifically christian music concerts. By the time I was 18, I had seen almost 50 people in concert, with 95% of them being Christian. My sophomore year of university, I was having a mini crisis because I had no clue what I was going to do with my degree. I wasn’t loving my design classes and just felt like I was lost. I spent my whole Christmas break (2024) re-branding my creative business, but still was struggling. My mother and I have a very close relationship, so she knows me better than I know myself. She brought up the idea of concert photography. It was something I hadn’t truly considered before. I had taken photos at a concert before, but it was after a rodeo, and the rodeo was what I was more focused on. I didn’t really like it because the whole area smelled like beer and the atmosphere wasn’t that fun. Thinking about it more, I started to consider what it would be like to work in the Christian music industry. Since then, I started working towards this goal. April of 2025, I was in my portfolio class and decided to send out a bunch of emails to music festivals as a push towards this goal. I sent out 7 emails out. 5 minutes later, I got a response from a festival in Sheldon, IA, called RiseFest. Preparing for this opportunity, I was taking photos at my home church and another local church’s worship nights. Also, this was the first year that I directed a music video at my university, which soon became a tradition. Then June came around and RiseFest was the best experience of my life. Two full days of Christian artists, a huge creative team that was incredibly welcoming, and me. That was the moment I knew that this was the direction I was supposed to be going. If we fast forward to now, I am incredibly grateful for what God has done in my life. God has opened up so many doors. I have now collected 10+ media passes to Christian music concerts, shot 3 music videos and an hour long live recording, and am a solidified member of the RiseFest media team. Going into these next couple of weeks, I am heading down to Nashville to work with an emerging Christian musician with her music video and media for her upcoming EP, while preparing for another festival in Buffalo, NY that I am flying out to. I could not have done this without God. There is no way that any of this would’ve happened without Him. So many long hours, emails, and doubts. I am grateful every day for this creativity and determination that He has given me. If the Creator gave me the power to create, why wouldn’t I do it for HIM?
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a serious learning curve. There is so much that social media or teachers don’t tell you about working as a freelancer. You have to be everything for that one business, whether you want to be or not. I have learned so much about finances, taxes, contracts, and more. It truly is entering into something completely new.
Besides just learning about the business, I’ve learned a lot about myself. Working for yourself, especially while a full-time student, requires a lot of discipline. God has really taught me to look to Him when I doubt or stress. I still struggle every day, but I’m thankful every day for God being with me through all of it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a photographer and videographer in the Christian music industry. Back at my small university, I was known for my photos that evoked emotion and captured moments that other people didn’t notice.
Something that I am proud of is the three music videos that I directed over the past three years. I’d always wanted to shoot a music video, so when I pitched the idea to our chaplain, he was excited to give us the go-ahead. Those music videos were serious labors of love, and I enjoyed every second of it.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
My favorite thing to say when describing this business is, “if the Creator gave me the ability to create, why wouldn’t I do it for HIM?”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illumestudios.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illumestudios.co/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@illumestudios.co?_r=1&_t=ZT-97hbUKZPZhl
