SHED VOL 1
AT HOME
IN THE
COMPLEXITY
WITH
EMMA
It’s always a fascinating social experiment—like stepping into a gallery after studying the sketches—to meet someone in real life after first piecing together their aesthetic from the fragments of their socials. With Emma, that experiment turned into something far more luminous.
We had the honor of spending a spring day with her on location in Minneapolis, MN in 2025. From the very first moment, she carried with her a warmth that didn’t just fill the room, but seemed to bend the light toward her.
Her sense of self wasn’t brittle or rehearsed; it was alive, layered, and beautifully unguarded—like a song you recognize instantly but hear in a new way each time.
Collaborating with Emma on these photos reminded us that behind every curated image is a human landscape: warm, intelligent, and infinitely more intricate than pixels can ever tell.
GRAVEL It’s nice meeting you, Emma.
Emma Nice meeting you, as well.
G How did you get into modeling?
E I slipped into modeling almost by accident—someone saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself.
G And now you see it in yourself, fully?
E Once I was in front of the camera, I realized it wasn’t just about being seen—it was about translating emotion without words.
G What has been your favorite part, so far?
E What I love most is that modeling lets me express all the parts of myself that don’t fit neatly into conversation: the soft, the sharp, the shadowy, the divine. It’s a visual language, and I’m fluent in juxtaposition.
G When you’re not on screen, what do you like to do for fun?
E I love immersing myself in new experiences—traveling, exploring unfamiliar cities, and trying dishes I’ve never had before.
G Do new experiences translate into inspiration?
E For sure, I’m always chasing inspiration, whether that’s through discovering a hidden restaurant or cooking a recipe I’ve never attempted. I spend a lot of time researching nutrition, psychology, and behavioral science—anything that helps me understand people and the human condition. I also read philosophy, both classical and contemporary, not just for answers, but to ask better questions. I love interpreting dreams, and understanding subconscious & even the unconscious. I love working out, going to house concerts, meeting new people, and getting lost in deep conversations with unexpected strangers. I’m equal parts curiosity and intensity—I don’t do anything halfway.
G What do you turn that inspiration in to?
E I am almost always writing.
G How do you hope people see you when they look at your images?
E Physically, I hold contrast—soft features, sharp presence. A certain gravity in my expression that feels both familiar and untouchable. That’s the energy I want to give.
G What is something about you that gets lost beyond the aesthetic?
E I feel things deeper than most, but I don’t run from it—I’ve made a home in the complexity. There’s a kind of quiet resilience I carry; I’ve learned how to alchemize pain into perspective, to turn endings into something sacred. I don’t fear the shadows—I study them. I ask the questions most people avoid and listen for the answers that arrive in silence.
I’ve always noticed what slips beneath the surface—energy shifts, unspoken dynamics, the way someone’s eyes betray their smile. I think that’s why people say I’m hard to forget. I reflect something back they didn’t know was there. Not in a loud way, but in a way that lingers.
G When you walk into a room, how do you find the confidence to be that version of yourself?
E Before I walk into a room, I imagine all four corners pulling toward me—like the energy is naturally folding in. I tell myself everyone’s happy to see me, even if they don’t know why yet. It’s not about ego, it’s about presence. That quiet inner narrative builds my confidence and lets me move with ease.
G Is there anything that can rattles your self confidence?
E If I’m ever self-conscious, it’s not about how I look—it’s about whether the space invites depth or just performance. I sometimes wonder if I’ll be misunderstood. But I’ve learned not to contort myself to be palatable. I’d rather be felt than liked.
G Are you a private person?
E I’m socially selective, but an open book amongst my close ones.
G If you could go back to someplace you’ve already been, where would it be?
E England feels like a second heartbeat. Most of my family is from there, so there’s something deeply familiar in the fog, the comforting simplicity of the food, and the way even strangers feel like they’ve known you forever. I love the moss-covered stone buildings, & the quiet majesty of old cathedrals. It’s not just beautiful. It’s soulful.
G Is there somewhere you’ve not been or something you’ve not tried that calls to you?
E Somewhere I’ve always wanted to go: Greece. Not just for the coastline or the architecture—but for the weight of thought that still lingers in the air. It’s the birthplace of philosophy, a place where questions were once more valuable than answers. I imagine standing where minds like Plato and Heraclitus once stood, looking out at that stark contrast between white stone and deep blue water—and feeling how small, and human, and curious I really am.
…and I’ve always wanted to try skydiving!!!
