Poetry & powerlifting
When Emma reached out for an author's portrait ahead of their second book release I had that haunting feeling - 'don't we know each other?'. I realised poetry was the connection. Photographing literary festival Verb Wellington for a number of years I had photographed Emma reading on stage, and we'd both been at the inauguration for our mutual friend, Poet Laureate Chris Tse. That feeling of familiarity made me want to get to know Emma better. Their online presence is honest and multi-faceted. I knew they'd be a wonderful subject for my Five Minutes with series. Emma's 'difficult second album' is published by AUP, titled If We Know How We Would and is a collection of poetry that covers breakups and a pandemic, health issues and deaths, described as 'a riveting, overflowing and grief-stricken reckoning with the ordinary'.
How would you describe yourself and your mahi in the world in 2025?
I often do a list to cover my bases: I live in Aro Valley. I love Powerlifting and feelings. I’m Pākehā. I think of myself as a fatty (compliment). I’m queer + non-binary + sometimes femme. I’m a they/them. I usually can remember at least one (bad) good joke.
My work is largely poetry, which I think of as translating experience into feelings into words so that others can transform the words back into feelings to experience. I also often meet people as they are about to go through a big thing in their life and sometimes I feel like a bit of a midwife for the transitions people are seeking in themselves.
what brings you joy on a regular basis (big or small)?
Again, I love lists: deadlifts, coffee in bed, a walk, small birds in my garden, hearing people read poetry, dancing, gigs, laughing. I’m a big believer in many small joys and there are so many once you start looking for them. This week I got a bit unexpectedly upset and a friend was just silent with me for a few minutes as we walked somewhere and that felt joyful to me!
Emma Barnes photographed at Goldings in 2025
What's been a recent rewarding work experience you've had?
When we launched my book recently I asked some performers and friends to read my poems. There is nothing quite as good as hearing an experienced performer reading a poem you’ve written. It’s like seeing yourself in a new light!
What's one favourite thing about living in Wellington?
That I mostly just walk everywhere. What a gift!
What was your experience of being photographed by me?
I don’t really like being the centre of attention so it wasn’t something I felt was going to be easy. I think the thing I liked most was how great you were at giving me instructions or directions and making me laugh. We got some really great candids in part because of how you set me at ease and tried so many different angles and shots. The weather was completely crap but we made it work! A+ would portrait again!
Emma Barnes photographed at Goldings Bar in 2025
bonus question: any recommendations for podcasts / books / music that you’ve enjoyed recently that I should make time for
I’ve read quite a lot of good books this year! I really, really love Underland by Robert Macfarlane. I’ve been getting into non-fiction and this one is really beautiful. I also read How Minds Change by David McRaney which is a really interesting book that’s really relevant for these times. Both outside my usual reading! I’m mostly a fiction, memoir or poetry reader. Two memoirs I enjoyed this year were In the Rhododendrons by Heather Christle (you might remember The Crying Book??) and I would read anything by Melissa Febos as I’ve read two this year: Girlhood and The Dry Season. Both excellent. I also really enjoyed Salman Rushdie’s memoir Knife about his recovery from a very brutal attack on him.
Emma Barnes, photographed at Goldings Bar, has their hair and makeup adjusted by makeup artist Natalee Fisher
