My work in the realm of news, PR, editorial and Commercial photography revolves around capturing pivotal moments that tell compelling stories. Each photograph I take is a window into current events, offering insights and perspectives that may otherwise go unnoticed. I strive to portray the human experience authentically, whether it’s documenting significant political rallies, cultural events, or everyday life in bustling urban settings. The challenge lies not only in the technical aspects of photography but also in the need to convey emotion and context through powerful imagery. I aim to engage viewers, prompting them to reflect on the world around them while showcasing the art of visual storytelling in the fast-paced landscape of modern journalism.
Emily Whitfield-Wicks Photography
Editorial, PR, News and Commercial
April
2015
Nepal earthquake
On assignment with ShelterBox
On the 25th April 2015, a devastating 7.8-7.9 magnitude earthquake killed 8,962 people and injured 21,952 across the countries of Nepal, India, China and Bangladesh. It was the worst natural disaster to strike Nepal since 1934. Hundreds of thousands of people were made homeless with entire villages flattened. Just after the earthquake and during the aftershocks, I went on assignment with the charity ShelterBox who provide emergency shelter for victims of disasters. Covering stories along with a Western Morning News journalist, on the disaster and how ShelterBox have helped survivors with ways to build temporary shelters along with cooking equipment. I found the Nepali people to be generous, resilient and inspiring. They had been through so much, yet we could sit and drink tea with them, like their temporary shelter was their kingdom and they shared whatever they had. A reminder that a home is where the heart is, not in riches.
Dec
2007
War in Afghanistan
Front line base Kajaki, Northeast of Helmand Province.
There is no silence in war, but bravery always prevails. On assignment in Afghanistan. Travelling from Kandahar to Camp Bastion and then on to the front line base Kajaki. Along with a reporter, we covered news stories on the troops from the South West of England, for the Western Morning News as a staff Photographer. Experiencing mortars firing off every night, going on patrol with the 42 Commando Royal Marines and walking part way to battle with them and spending some downtime at the base playing battleship during the cold dark evenings. And dining with the kindly District Commissioner who gifted me a pretty seamed hijab (head scarf), which I then wore to replace the light scarf I had been using as head-wear around the Afghans. I will never forget my time there at the front line base, how we nearly spent Christmas there as the war raged on. I will never forget the friends we made, the troops some tragically killed in battle, how brave and respectful they all were. And the dogs Charlie and Tamgye, the dogs gifted to the Marines from a local farmer. They were faithful companions who wondered freely around the camp and always followed the troop on patrol and to battle. I never know what became of the golden Lab Charlie, but Tangye was to my delight, eventually re-homed in the U.K to a loving family there. After living a wonderful life there and becoming quite an internet celebrity, Tangye passed away in 2019. Always known as a Friend of the Troops in Afghanistan as would Charlie.
Aug
2004
Boscastle Flash flood.
Cornwall U.K
The event on Aug 16th 2004 was an experience I'll never forget. As the first professional photographer on scene, I covered one of my earliest major stories for Apex News & Pictures as staff photographer assigned to take pictures for the Cornish Guardian. My initial shoot of the day was in Boscastle. It was a normal Cornish day, sun one minute, rain the next, always changing, but little did I know that I would be returning an hour later through frightening forked lighting and fast flooding roads, farm dogs running around, barking, confused and distressed, back to a scene of pure devastation. The Boscastle flash flood looked like a scene from a movie, except this time I was in it. At the time it was easy to imagine people being swept away as cars floated down towards the sea. Two dogs tragically died that day, but amazingly they were the only fatalities known. The people of Boscastle have the most amazing community spirit and supported each other on their long road to recovering from this freak flash flood. In some ways it put Boscastle on the map and many visitors flocked to Boscastle to see it's recovery. The images appeared in the National and international papers the following day.
Contact me
Have a question or want to discuss a photography project? Get in touch with Emily today. She's here to bring your vision to life. Based in Cornwall, U.K, but also covers Devon and the South West region, London and abroad.
