Questions with Em Marcovecchio | IWD2019

Header Image by Ollee Turl

Here at CLUNK we have a lot of talented female creatives pushing the brand and we wanted to showcase their work whilst getting to know them better. In this article you will get to know more about the brilliant Em Marcovecchio who is one of the hardest working creatives we have ever met. We are incredibly proud of her and hope to continue working with her long into the future.

CLUNK: How did you get into photography?

EM: I don’t think there has ever been a time where a camera wasn’t firmly rooted into my right hand. There are way too many holiday video diaries of 8-year-old Em telling the camera about her dinner and time in the pool haha. Photography became a way to document this element of life in a still way; I was always the one taking group photos at school, I had this urge to document everything. My Mum is the same, we have a running joke where my brother and I have fixed expressions in every photo; she loves to document our lives, which is great to look back on, thanks for that Mum. I went to a very academic secondary school; in the least blunt way, no one cared about the arts, instead the focus was on academics and getting into the best Russell Group University possible. It was really hard to push into a creative field and not feel the size of a teeny tiny ant; I was squished by certain members of staff and my peers, which I thought it was so normal! It was only when I left sixth form and went to art school I realised it definitely wasn’t.

The art department was my favourite place, I spent my lunchtimes and evenings in the darkroom, playing with film photography and having the most wonderful time. I forgot about learning academic subjects and ran away from pressure, instead I could enrich myself in something completely different and new. To Amelia Wallace and Charlotte Bell, if you’re reading this, then thank you for continuing to push my work and believing in my photography when it felt like no one else really cared, I really owe it to you.

CLUNK: Was there any person that inspired you to shoot music?

EM: Anyone who knows me in person knows this story over and over. I had a really low time during my Art Foundation year; I felt incredibly lost with my work and had no idea how my work was seen in the greater scheme of life. I accidentally fell into the music world after seeing a photograph by Matt Goff (@gattmoff), from a gig at Banquet Records in Kingston. I nearly didn’t go and see The Amazons play that day, I’m glad I did because it through me into a new world. As well as Matt Goff, Phoebe Fox (@shotbyphox) and Harriet Brown (@harriet_lnb) showed there was a way to document music that didn’t just fall into the typical Photo Pass and Writer scenario, there was a much more personal side to it, a place I so desperately wanted to be part of. I moved to Falmouth and fell into the best scene, filled with some of the most inspiring and hardworking people that I’ve ever crossed paths with. I wanted to be involved in something much greater and I think I’m finally getting there despite the feeling of being at the beginning every single day!

CLUNK: What has been your experience so far as a female music photographer?

EM: The most common comment I get when I say that I shoot gigs is; “you’re only doing this because you want to get with the band”. It’s possibly one of the most insulting and rude comments someone can make. I shoot gigs and portraits purely because it feels me with joy, I quite frankly don’t care how it’s going to affect my love life. It’s degrading and makes women feel like crap, so yes, please just think before you speak. Women can be friends with men, with anyone, it does not matter what hangs between their legs, a friendship can be found anywhere.

“I shoot gigs and portraits purely because it feels me with joy, I quite frankly don’t care how it’s going to affect my love life”
Em Marcovecchio

CLUNK: How do you get through harder times?

EM: It sounds like a truly glamorous world, shooting gigs and making friends, but the reality of sending countless emails to just be rejected and kicked at the curb can be really crushing. It’s really hard and there are days where I purely don’t want to pick up my camera. When you’ve had a really good couple of weeks shooting and something goes wrong it can be annoying and upsetting, but I’ve learnt to surround myself with the best housemates who make me tea and cheer me up. We also own a 3ft tall teddy bear named Dan; he is the ultimate friend when you’re home alone and need a hug.

CLUNK: Current favourite female photographer?

EM: I have two, is that cheating?! The first is Jay Whitehead (@jay.mov) who I found from her work with Gengahr. Jay’s work is just wonderful; she has the eye of a diamond, she can see colours and tones so beautifully. The flow of her Instagram is inspiring, and is something I often refer back to when I feel really stuck with my own work. Definitely have a look at her feed, you’ll feel energised and full of punch.

The second is Isabella Bull (@isabellabullz), someone I hung out with just last week at home. Our paths have often crossed, but we’d never sat and just chatted before, we met for a picnic and realised we’re actually very similar. Bella’s work is bloody beautiful; being a similar age I feel like we can relate on many levels. Seeing Bella’s work change and grow is something that is so exciting, I am truly thrilled to see where this path takes her. Combining 35mm and digital, there is a real dynamic to her work that incorporates her personal life too. That is something I find about most photographers I follow, I’m a nosy sod and like to know how they spend their days, and Bella’s Instagram stories are perfect for that.