Optomechanics investigates the interaction of light (photons) with the mechanical motion of matter (phonons). The coupling regimes of optomechanical systems are significantly strengthened by introducing emitters able to couple with both photons and phonons. Artificial atoms such as quantum dots, superconducting circuits, or impurities in crystals, as well as dye molecules, are able to fulfill this role, enabling strong coupling regimes and new phenomena. This presentation discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and future prospects of such emitters in the context of optomechanics.