about emma:
Emma Lenhart is a Chicago-based lifestyle blogger and digital marketing agency owner.
Emma got her start blogging back in 2015 as a freshman in college, sharing tips for freelancing and working for yourself online. She quickly grew a readership in the Chicago-land area and beyond after pivoting her site to share more lifestyle, fashion, and wellness content.
In early 2020, Emma Lenhart launched her own digital marketing agency, Avira Media, to help brands of all sizes achieve similar levels of success online. Today, Emma runs Avira Media with her team and also continues to partner with top tier brands creating content for her popular lifestyle blog and social media platforms.
Emma Lenhart has been featured in HerCampus, The Huffington Post, Voyage Chicago, Our Chicago Stories, and more. You can usually find her taking an indoor cycling class, reading, writing, or checking out the latest Chicago brunch spot.
frequently asked questions:
How do you edit your photos?
I used to heavily edit and process my photos in order to fit my Instagram feed aesthetic. So, if you're referring to an older image, I typically would:
1) Open the image in Adobe Photoshop (desktop.)
2) Use the selective tool to select parts of the image that don't fit my feed.
3) Desaturate the selection by dragging the Master saturation slider all the way down.
However, I don't edit my photos this way anymore and simply throw them in VSCO Cam. I like to use a small amount of the "M5" filter, adjust highlights/shadows, and add a bit of grain.
How do you bleach your hair?
I don't bleach my hair anymore and if I do, I get it professionally done. However, there was a time (during college, of course) where I used to bleach my hair platinum blonde myself. There's a whole blog post on how I used to do it + the products I recommend here.
How long have you lived in Chicago?
I've lived in Chicago for almost 5 years now. I moved to Chicago in August 2015 after choosing to attend college in Lincoln Park.
What are your favorite parts of Chicago?
Such a hard question to answer because Chicago is so vast and each area in the city has such a different vibe to it.
I love living in Lakeview or Lincoln Park because it feels neighborhood-y and isn't far from the lake. I love spending the summer in Wrigleyville because the city is so excited for the Cubs season and the bars are the best. I love brunching or shopping downtown/in Gold Coast.
Follow my Instagram for more detailed recommendations or feel free to DM me, too.
How can we collaborate?
To maintain the integrity of my personal brand, I only collaborate with brands that I truly believe in and fit into my lifestyle seamlessly. In the past, I've worked closely with brands such as Google, Movado, SoulCycle, Sephora Collection, JustFab, etc. which all align with my brand and I feel comfortable recommending to my readers.
I do not accept free product in exchange for posting. That being said, if you think your brand or product might be a good fit for a collaboration, I'd be happy to discuss. You can contact me directly here or by emailing hello@emmalenhart.com.
Can I hire you to run my brand’s Instagram account?
If you are interested in hiring me for any digital marketing services, head over to my digital marketing agency's site, Avira Media. My team and I would love to discuss your digital marketing needs and share how we can possibly be of service.
Where else are you online?
I am on all major social media platforms under the username @emmaklenhart. Click here to follow my Instagram, my Pinterest profile, my Facebook page, and my Twitter.