Meet Emily Van Gorder-Pantig | Photographer, Creative and Mom

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Van Gorder-Pantig and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, why did you pursue a creative career?
The arts have meant everything from as far back as I can remember. It’s where I’ve felt most unlocked and most authentic to my truest self. I grew up as a performing artist and was heavily involved in musical theatre until my late 20s. When I started dating my husband, he purchased me my first digital camera and encouraged the hobby.

While at a series of auditions in New York, I met an individual who I suggested I start working as a photographer on the side to help with bills. I came home with a refreshed outlook on photography and found myself on a beach in San Jose getting ready to photograph a wedding a few short years later. The rest is now history!

I don’t sing as often as I used to but I still love that I get to have involvement with a creative career that is just as fulfilling to me as performing. The arts truly light me up inside and are a big part of what I truly believe to be my purpose while here on this earth.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Creativity and the arts is something that has always been at the forefront of my being. I love providing the inclusive ability to share the story of others through my viewpoint. I hope that when you look at my photography, you are able relive the sense of joy that took place originally as the memory remains on a colorful sheet of paper (or, pixels on a screen in most cases :).

I can honestly say my work took a totally different direction than I thought it ever would have. If you would have asked my 15-year-old self what I assumed I would be doing as a an adult, I would have told you that I was going to be on Broadway, that I planned to be on the Rosie O’Donnell show and everyone was going to know my name.

With a career in the arts, nothing is linear. The lows are very low, the highs are very high and they are over in the blink of an eye. I took up photography as a way to help pay my bills in-between audition seasons. I ended up discovering that I absolutely loved it and the response was quite surprising when I had individuals that consistently wanted to hire me. What had started as a hobby became a real passion and a way to help support my family. In the beginning, I offered free shoots to families and friends. Over time, I remember I couldn’t believe it when someone asked me to photograph their wedding. I hosted styled shoots towards the end of covid as a way to create in a time when everything felt so bleak. From there, I started being asked to TRAVEL to photograph individuals weddings both nationally (and much to my dismay) internationally. I have had the opportunity to photograph complete surprises like engagements to celebrities in their element and incredible couples underneath a waterfall or in the middle of a forest. My photography has been featured in a number of bridal publishing’s and I have been recognized by notable members in the photography community. Never in a million years would I have thought these opportunities would have presented themselves to me and I feel so incredibly grateful to have gotten to do so.

In becoming the photographer I am today, I became a more enriched version of myself because of my past interactions with the different form of art. I didn’t quite make it to Broadway the way I had thought I would. I am however proud to say that a version of my creativity made it in a different way as my work is featured in the “Wicked” playbill. 🙂

I love being a joyful, inclusive photographer who has worked with some of the most kind hearted and beautiful individuals. I love what I what I get to do and it is continually is a wonderful surprise with where I didn’t even know I could head.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Interestingly enough, I JUST had this conversation with another photographer friend of mine and is a native of Finland! Living in Southern California, we are so lucky to have such a rich option of cultures and incredible foods to discover. I am a major foodie, so I would take her EVERYWHERE. If I were to show her around, I would start out by taking her to all my favorite local spots in Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. We’d hit up Volcano Burger for the best avocado cheeseburger and Bonjour Bagel for a breakfast sandwich. I’d take her down to Seal Beach for some boogie boarding and a walk down the pier for a coffee. We would have to check out 2nd street in Long Beach and a paddle board ride in the canals. If we had unlimited funds, there would have to be a trip to Disneyland and Knotts as well as a drive up the 405 to LA . I would want to take her to a Broadway show at the Pantages or Segerstrom and show her around The Source for a Korean hot dog. We’d hit up the Packing District in Anaheim and Sidecar doughnuts for a sweet treat in Costa Mesa followed up by an afternoon to Northgate Market. Basically, my goal would be for her to leave full, enriched and happy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to say my number one support and individual who has encouraged my success has been my husband, Neil. He was the one encouraged me from the jump. He bought me my first camera. He encouraged my trip to NY. He is an incredible father and partner. In addition to my husband, I would like to thank my 3 daughters who have helped me to be the best version of myself.

Website: https://www.emilybethphoto.com

Instagram: @emilybphoto

Facebook: @Emily Beth Photo

Other: *All of my publications/features are listed on my website in the buttons on the bottom of the home page.

Image Credits
Emily Beth Photo