Emily Shade Photography
Freelance Photographer based in Edinburgh, Scotland
I'm Emily, a photographer based in Edinburgh and available to travel. My work is primarily focused on nightlife, documenting the energy, people, and atmosphere that shape a city's after-dark culture. Alongside this, I also shoot a wide range of other events, including live music, sports, and portraits, always drawn to real moments and the connections between people. Working across both film and digital photography, I aim to create honest, atmospheric images that feel grounded in the experience of being there, building an archive of contemporary life as it happens.
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Human Impact Awards 2025
Photography is more than an art form; it is a way of understanding and engaging with our world. The work recognised this year moves beyond the headlines to reveal the human reality of displacement, resilience, and the enduring search for connection. These images invite us to slow down, to look again, and to consider experiences far beyond our own.
WITH THANKS TO SONY – JUDGES: ALYS TOMLINSON, PETER DENCH, AND IAN BERRY
Emily Shade – Student Winner
Through the lens of rave culture, Emily captures how young people create spaces of belonging, expression, and community. Her photographs reveal vulnerability, unity, and the power of shared moments - showing how connection and collective joy can help us navigate the world. A thoughtful, human-centred project that celebrates resilience and togetherness.
Beyond The Line-Up:
Female DJ Representation in Edinburgh Underground Music Scene
Beyond the Lineup is a documentary photography project exploring the representation of female DJs within Edinburgh’s nightlife scene. Combining portraiture, event photography, and interviews, the work highlights the women shaping the city’s electronic music culture in both visible and behind-the-scenes spaces. Through personal narratives and visual documentation, the project challenges the male-dominated perceptions of DJing while celebrating the creativity, presence, and impact of female artists within Edinburgh’s club scene.
Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show 2026
Installation view of Beyond the Lineup, exhibited at Edinburgh College of Art from 29 May – 5 June 2026.