Emma Colton, an ambitious photographer who launched Emma Annie Colton Photography in August 2023, has been nominated for two prestigious national awards. She is competing in both the Business Woman of the Year (Micro) category and the Best New Business category at the National Business Women's Awards, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in London this October.
Colton specializes in warm and authentic brand portraiture, focusing primarily on female founders and creative businesses, particularly those who are camera-shy. She describes herself as "a friendly neighborhood photographer supporting people who contribute to a kinder world" while encouraging clients to promote their work authentically.
The photographer's journey to entrepreneurship began unexpectedly when she was laid off from her previous job. Initially, Colton had never envisioned owning her own business until she took time to reevaluate her career direction and determine what type of work she truly wanted to pursue. With more than a decade of experience in photography, graphic design, and marketing, she brings extensive industry knowledge to her new venture.
Throughout her career, Colton has worked on both the branding side and within creative agencies for major fashion and beauty brands. She has also made significant contributions to the charity and public sectors through anti-social harassment campaigns and children's safety initiatives, demonstrating her commitment to creating positive social impact through her work.
Beyond traditional photography services, Colton offers branding workshops specifically designed for startup companies and organizes mental health-themed photography walks, incorporating her personal experiences into her professional offerings. This holistic approach reflects her dedication to supporting others while building her business.
"My goal for this year is to be able to say I am an award-winning photographer and business owner," Colton explained. "I'm now one step closer to realizing that goal. I didn't expect it. Obviously I put my name forward and wanted to do that for myself, but I didn't expect to be nominated."
The nomination has strengthened Colton's confidence in achieving her ambitious goals. "Winning an award is starting to feel as though it's achievable. The goal was ambitious and now I want it even more. It still doesn't feel real and it's making me even more determined," she said.
Colton believes that winning an award would not only positively impact her business reputation but would also have a tremendous effect on her self-confidence and personal growth. She sees herself as a potential role model for other women in business, addressing common challenges faced by female entrepreneurs.
"I know as women we don't put ourselves out there as much," Colton observed. "We work hard but we're not confident to talk about it. We earned that right and I want to be a role model in that sense. Talking about things we've done isn't arrogant. We work hard to get recognition, and imposter syndrome and a lack of confidence holds women back."
Colton's strategy of promoting herself and her work is already attracting the right type of clients and opportunities. She is currently collaborating with Northampton Museum and Art Gallery on an upcoming exhibition related to the Women's Rugby World Cup, demonstrating the breadth of her professional interests.
Additionally, Colton recently photographed an exhibition in London that focused on abuse faced by women, which aligns perfectly with her mission and values. "This is exactly the type of place I want to be," she said. "What I'm putting out there seems to be working. If I didn't put myself out there, these people wouldn't know I exist."
The National Business Women's Awards ceremony in October will determine whether Colton achieves her goal of becoming an award-winning photographer and business owner within her first year of operation. Her nominations represent significant recognition for a business that has been operating for just over a year.
