Cromford Mills is proud to host a series of Meet the Maker events as part of Derbyshire Makes 2026, in partnership with Haarlem Artspace. Taking place in the atmospheric Gothic Warehouse, these relaxed evening talks invite you to hear directly from an inspiring line-up of local artists, designers and craftspeople. Discover the stories behind their work, explore their creative processes and gain insight into the realities of life as a maker, with opportunities to see work up close and enjoy live demonstrations.
Emma Croman – Storytelling portrait and brand photography
Emma Croman is a nationwide photographer based in the beautiful Derbyshire Dales in the East Midlands, offering a modern take on portrait and lifestyle photography.
A lover of nature and conscious, considered living, Emma is particularly keen to collaborate with people and organisations working to make the planet a better place. Her connection to photography began at around eight years old when her aunt first gave her a camera. It quickly became her way of seeing the world — a source of escapism and a means of understanding it.
Much of her childhood was also spent outdoors in her grandad’s rambling garden, helping to grow vegetables, tending to his owl box and joining him on walks to the wildlife hides he had built around the town. This early love of the natural world — and a strong sense of responsibility to care for it — has remained woven throughout her life and work.
Now with over 15 years’ experience as a freelance photographer, Emma has created imagery for books and magazines, primarily working with natural light. A former picture editor, she combines her editorial insight with her distinctive style to produce imagery that feels peaceful and calm, with an emphasis on observing the everyday and capturing moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed.