Emily Drazen was born in New York City and was given her first SLR camera at the age of eight. She has been immersed in photography ever since. After receiving her Bachelor in Arts from the State University of New York at New Paltz, Emily ventured off on a solo trip through Europe where she developed her passion for travel photography—including landscapes, seascapes and environmental portraits.

Emily landed her first job shooting for the San Francisco Bay Guardian, but in time found that working as a local photojournalist wasn’t enough to keep her curious mind and insatiable eye at rest. Which led to ten years living and traveling in a variety of countries and cities, teaching and dedicating herself to her craft all the while.

After 20 years of shooting 35mm film, Emily made the switch to Medium Format photography. Her passion for the organic process of film continues despite the onslaught of digital. She most commonly uses Fujichrome, Ilford black and white and cross-processes slide film. Emily embraced digital photography when she began freelancing for The Martha's Vineyard Times in 2015. After realizing just how different the two mediums are, she took digital photography courses at Rhode Island School of Design and joined an Alison Shaw Workshop to strengthen her skills in the digital darkroom. She now works as a freelance photographer - photographing weddings, events and portraits - while raising her two kids on Martha's Vineyard. Emily is a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts.