by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 18^th of August 2025


Emma Zhao strives to capture true moments as they are fleeting. She says: 'The world is constantly changing, and there are so many precious things around us that could vanish forever soon. I want to be one of the people who record them.' To Emma, a good story can transcend the image and touch or move the viewer's soul, and it is this emotional resonance that truly matters in the end.
Join me while wandering through the work of this fine artist and learn more about her through this interview.

'Kayaks in Morning Fog'

Dear Emma, first, I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer this questionnaire. To begin with, could you please introduce yourself briefly and tell us more about yourself, your hobbies and any other projects you are involved in?
It is a great honour to be invited for the interview.
Thank you so much to Yvette and the 1X team!
I was born in PR China, lived in Japan for ten years, and I am currently based in Toronto, Canada. Photography is now more than just a hobby; it is my greatest passion and an integral part of my everyday life. Aside from photography, I enjoy reading and travelling. I don't have any specific projects planned at the moment, but taking photos with my mobile phone is one of my daily activities.

'Sunrise at Tangle Ridge'

When and how did you first become interested in photography?
Looking back, I realised that I had loved reading books with lots of pictures since a very young age. I am a visual person. Photos help me to understand and pick things up quickly.  After being a full-time homemaker for a long time, I discovered photography when I got my first iPhone 4S in 2014. It opened up a whole new world for me and made it easier for me to take photos. With my first smartphone in hand, my photographic journey officially began. I have been excited by observing my surroundings, seeing things with an extra pair of eyes (the lens) and taking photos ever since.

'Horses in Fence'

'Walking In a Winter Storm'

For many of us, photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you describe your relationship with photography?
As I mentioned earlier, photography is now more than just a hobby for me; it's my passion and my way of life. No matter what I do or where I go, photography always comes first. When it comes to travelling, I always think about what kind of photos I can take there first. Planning the trip, researching local attractions and studying the work of other photographers brings me great joy, happiness and excitement. For me, the enjoyment of photography lies in the process; I am at peace with whatever the outcome may be.

'Hands'

'Girl in White Dress'

What has been the most important experience so far that has influenced your journey in photography?
When I first started out in photography, a friend recommended a landscape photography course by Henry Liu, a famous landscape photographer, even though I had absolutely no knowledge of photography or post-editing. I spent most of the time sleeping in class because I didn’t understand anything the teacher was talking about, and this became a great source of laughter later on. However, the most touching concept that I learned on the course and which has influenced my photography journey is the importance of respecting and protecting Mother Nature, and leaving the shooting location undamaged.  This concept has become embedded in my photography and has extended to my favourite genres, such as street and portrait photography.  For example, we were advised to find a different composition rather than breaking a tree branch to achieve the 'perfect' one. This idea still moves me whenever it pops up in my mind.

'Mexican Dancing'

'Foggy Sun'

You have your own style, but your work is very diverse.  I see splendid landscapes, architectural photography, street photography and photos of animals, among other things. Could you explain why this is?
We live in a diverse world, and I am a free-spirited and curious person. In the early days of my photography, I went out almost every day and took photos of whatever I encountered: animals, trees, shadows, buildings, portraits, landscapes, and so on. This trained my observation skills and taught me how to adjust my camera settings in different scenarios. As I explored different genres, I filtered out my favourites, which are closer to humanity, such as portraits, street photography, architecture, and more. Despite this, I love landscape and animal photography too.  From time to time, I plan trips to the wilderness to listen to the wind rustling through the treetops, birds singing around me and the waves hitting the shore.  This brings me great relaxation and freedom of mind.  Being in nature refreshes my spirit and inspires my creativity.

'Flying Over Tubular Building'

'Yellow Raincoat in the Rain'

Which is more important to you: the mood or story behind your images, or technical perfection?
I think the technical skills are straightforward, which is the easy part – aperture control, exposure balancing, focus calibration, and so on. Many of us, myself included, are captivated by the pursuit of visual poetry in our frames. To me, a good story can transcend the image and touch or move the viewer's soul, and it is this emotional resonance that truly matters in the end. Often, we press the shutter because the moment touches us. Photos that move us are more likely to make an impression on viewers.

'Pine Marten in Snow'

'Listen to me, Hon'

What is your relationship with your subject matter beyond simply observing it?
Do you carefully prepare the locations where you intend to take photographs?
For example, I believe that a successful portrait shoot starts with careful observation and effective communication, and continues with mutual understanding. Locations and timing are well planned, and a plan B is prepared in case of any unforeseen circumstances. I also prepare more details and extra options, even though they might not be adopted. Often, I also trust my instincts, improvise, and make changes to the plans.
For general, casual photography, such as street photography, I prefer a more flexible approach. I can change my pace when something catches my attention. There are always surprises on the street, which is exactly why I love street photography. For landscape and wildlife photography, I usually join a group of friends and go with them for fun.

'Playing In the Yard'

'3:30pm at Union Station'

Describe your overall photographic vision.
I would like to capture true moments as they are fleeting. It may be a decisive moment. The world is constantly changing, and there are so many precious things around us that could disappear forever soon. I want to be one of the people who record them.

'Hats Vender'

'Tall Book Shelf'

Could you tell us more about your workflow, from idea to final product?
I have two systems for my workflow.
When travelling or doing street photography, I usually use my mobile phone, and I now also use it for portrait photography if the light is good. The advantage of using a mobile phone is that I can select and edit photos on the phone and post or send them right away. I use both the built-in editing functions on my phones and the Snapseed app. Photos that need more extensive retouching in Photoshop have to wait until I get home.
When shooting events, performances and animals with my large mirrorless camera, I usually delete any unwanted photos on the camera before uploading them to Lightroom. In Lightroom, I rate and edit the photos as necessary. Some photos will be exported directly; those that need more detailed retouching will go through Photoshop. I intend to reduce the time I spend on post-production in PS because it’s so time-consuming.

'Walking Up on Stairs'

'Lines on Street'

Where do you look for inspiration, and what inspires you the most?
In the early days of my photography career, I joined various social media sites, such as Instagram and 500px. I followed many great photographers on YouTube and taught myself most of what I know.  I also entered some competitions for fun. Since joining 1x.com a few years ago, it has become my go-to platform every day. I like the site, with its simplified navigation and high-standard images. When I was stuck, browsing the beautiful images, curating photos and reading the magazine really helped and inspired me to move forward.

'P.B.L. Building'

'A Photographer under a Museum'

Many people believe that gear is not very important when you are passionate about photography. However, could you please tell us what equipment you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod, etc.)?
I started out in photography using my iPhone 4S. Over the years, I have used the iPhone 6, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone 12 Pro, and I am currently using the iPhone 16 Pro. iPhones are still my first choice for most of my daily photography, such as street, still, macro, food and portrait photography, as well as video recording. Since starting a mobile photography class with photographer Sean Huang in 2020 to familiarise myself with the Android system, I have also purchased a Vivo X100 Pro. These mobile phones are my most-used cameras. When I go out to take street photographs, I sometimes take a Sony RX100VII with me as a backup. I absolutely prefer travelling light.
As for heavy equipment, I have a Sony a7 III and a Sony a7 IV with Sony 16-35 mm F4, Tamron 35-150 mm F2.8 and Sony G 200-600 mm F6.3 lenses to cover all common uses, from landscapes to wildlife. My tripod is from FLM. I have a few lights for portrait photography, but they are only used indoors. Most of the time, I prefer to use natural light for portraits.  I also have a DJI Mini 2 drone.
I am not particularly interested in equipment, and I try to make the best use of what I have.

Which photo is your favourite? Please tell us the story behind it.
Of all the photos I have taken, there are a few that stand out as my favourites.  Nevertheless, this photo, titled 'Harbor', remains close to my heart.

'Harbor'

This minimalist image was taken during a photography tour in Banff, Canada in December 2021, during the pandemic. It was snowing heavily on the day we went out to Bow Lake, with waist-deep snow and buried roads. Strong winds blew through the trees and blurred our vision. Visibility was so low that the team members had to stay close together.  We walked very slowly in our snowshoes to find our way back. Suddenly, I noticed a tiny tree behind a ditch. The wind had formed a shelter around the tiny tree, embracing it like a safe home. It immediately warmed my heart. It reminded me of the lockdown that year, and it saddened me that we were unable to go back and see our families. It was just before Christmas, so the photo touched my heart every time I looked at it. It took me back to that snowy day, that memorable tour and all the winter 2021 memories.

Which photographers or mentors have influenced you and your photography, and why?
There are so many photographers whose work I love and respect. Landscape photographer Henry Liu had a significant early influence on my photography, teaching me the importance of being true to and respectful of nature, yourself and others. Photographer Larry Deng sparked my interest in post-production; his artistic works are a constant source of inspiration for me. I love Henri Cartier-Bresson's work because it gave me a new perspective on street photography and inspired me. My local photographer friend, Molly Fu, is also a big inspiration to me; her rapid progress has really motivated and encouraged me.

'After Snowing'

'After Raining'

Now that we are almost at the end of this interview, could you please tell us about any photographic projects you would like to be involved in?
I started a portrait collection during the pandemic but then paused it for years. I should probably reopen the file, as there are so many countries and places I would love to explore. Time is ticking; plans must be made. For now, I will focus on local events and keep taking photos.


Is there anything else you would like to add, and what do you think about 1X as a home base for your work?
1X is actually the only platform I visit daily; it has truly become a home to me. The images displayed on 1x are of exceptional quality and deeply motivating.  I have learnt so much from 1x.com over the years.
I would like to thank the 1X community for being a remarkable source of inspiration and a platform for learning and sharing. I would also like to thank Yvette again for providing me with the precious opportunity to share my work and experience.