Capturing Creativity: How Emerson Burkhardt Built a Business in Content Creation
Emerson’s Journey to Supporting Creatives Behind the Scenes
Hi friends,
This week on The Founders Society Podcast, we sat down with Emerson Burkhardt, a content creator who has carved out a niche in the wedding and creative industries through her business, The Harmon Edit. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn visual storytelling into a thriving business, or how content creation can support and elevate other creatives, this conversation is for you.
Emerson’s path wasn’t a straight line—she’s explored everything from fashion fibers to interior design, event planning to social media marketing. But through it all, she’s remained deeply connected to the creative world. Today, she helps wedding planners, designers, and creative professionals bring their brands to life through video and photography.
How Emerson Got Started
Emerson's creative journey has always been one of discovery and evolution. From the early days of knitting, crocheting, and sewing through high school to studying design at NC State, she’s always been drawn to the beauty of artistic expression. College was a time for her to dive deeper, with a focus on fashion, fibers, and animation—culminating in her participation in a sustainable fashion show that blended creativity with environmental consciousness.
After college, the digital realm called to her in an unexpected way — a food Instagram account that soon sparked her journey into content creation,
Breaking Into the Wedding Industry
Shortly after graduation, Emerson stepped into the wedding world with an internship for a Raleigh-based planner, which led to a role with Easton Events, one of Charleston’s premier luxury wedding firms.
As she immersed herself in high-end events, she discovered a new fascination—how social media and influencer marketing could shape a brand’s story. That spark led her to pivot into events and marketing, where she saw firsthand the impact of intentional content.
It wasn’t just about capturing beautiful moments; it was about crafting narratives that helped brands grow. And with that realization, The Harmon Edit was born—a blend of artistry, strategy, and a deep appreciation for meaningful storytelling.
Turning Content Creation Into a Business
After an unexpected job loss, Emerson leaned fully into her new calling. She started small—reaching out to a local photographer she admired and offering to create video content for her shoots. That one opportunity set everything in motion.
What followed was a natural evolution:
Capturing behind-the-scenes moments for wedding photographers and designers
Crafting content strategy lists to help clients make the most of their footage
Building a business rooted in genuine relationships with planners, creatives, and brands
Like most good ideas, hers grew with the enthusiasm of those who saw its potential. Now, The Harmon Edit is more than just filming moments—it’s about visually storytelling in a way that resonates, helping creatives share their work with impact and intention.
Top Content Creation Tips from Emerson
If you’re looking to create more impactful content—whether for your brand or someone else’s—Emerson shared some golden rules:
✔️ Always be filming! Capture content even if you’re unsure whether you’ll use it. You never know what might be valuable later.
✔️ Keep the camera still! Instead of panning and moving, let the scene speak for itself.
✔️ Lighting is everything. If the light isn’t right, the content won’t hit the same.
✔️ Edit to the beat. The right soundtrack and pacing make a video feel effortless and engaging.
✔️ Avoid HDR mode. While great in theory, it can cause compatibility issues on social media. (Tune in to the episode for Emerson’s step-by-setp guide to turning HDR off!)
✔️ Use the right tools. Dropbox and Splice are her go-to platforms for delivering and editing content.
Why This Conversation Matters
So many creatives struggle to market themselves visually—they’re incredible at what they do but don’t always have time to capture it. Emerson has built her business by recognizing that need and filling the gap, allowing other creatives to shine while she works behind the scenes.
Her story is a reminder that success often comes from spotting opportunities where others don’t—and that real growth happens when we lean into the things we do effortlessly for others.
Listen to the full episode here for a deep dive into Emerson’s creative journey and insights on building a sustainable, relationship-driven business.
Tidbits for the Week!
We wrapped up the episode with a round of our favorite tidbits—small but mighty tips to elevate your creative process:
Emerson — If you’re struggling with editing your phone footage, it might be your settings. Turning off HDR mode can save you a world of trouble, as it’s the least compatible format for social media. (Skip to minute 47 for her step-by-step guide!)
Meg — The search for the perfect tripod is over—this Bluetooth-enabled option is sturdy, reliable, and a game-changer for content creators. Plus, she shares her go-to express tan lotion for looking effortlessly polished before a shoot.
Hayley: Pinterest, but make it personal—she’s transforming saved pins into curated collages, creating mood boards that feel more intentional and inspiring.
We hope this episode sparks new ideas for your creative journey. If you loved it, hit reply and tell us—what’s one creative skill you’ve leaned into that you never expected would become part of your business?
With gratitude,
Hayley & Meg
Find us online:
The Founders Society on Instagram: @founderssociety
Emerson on Instagram: @theharmonedit