About the Artist: Maryland Nature Photographer

Emma (Matheu) Bailey is a Maryland nature photographer based in Annapolis. She studied graphic design and photography at Salisbury University and graduated in May 2020.  

Her passion for nature photography stems from being raised on Kent Island and learning about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem as a child. Emma focuses on photographing wildlife and plants with the hope that her photographs will inspire people to learn about protecting nature’s creatures and the environment. The more inspired people are about nature, the more they will want to improve our current environmental status.

She aims to create colorful, intricate and enchanting images of nature that make the viewer disappear into the image. For some subjects, such as insects and animals, she attempts to capture their personalities. Emma often searches for subjects that are missable to the average passerby. 

Emma's mission through nature photography is to locate and capture beautiful moments in nature that will inspire people to enjoy the outdoors and protect it. She wants people to see the various creatures and plants that she finds and inspire them to learn more about them. Emma also aims to encourage people to slow down and observe nature more. It is so rewarding to witness and experience engagements in nature, whether it is between an animal and yourself or the sunlight dancing in the trees.

There is so much beauty in nature that is overlooked or destroyed due to our fast paced world. Emma hopes that her photographs will encourage people to do what they can to protect our natural future from environmental disaster. Nature is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered and the reward of finding them is indescribable.  

Emma spent a summer working with Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD. At Brookside, she photographed their locally famous butterfly show, the wild animals within the gardens, and the plants and flowers. 

Emma also volunteered with the Salisbury Zoo to photograph some of their animals to provide stock photos for their social media.

Most recently, Emma has done freelance work with the National Aquarium of Baltimore.