My journey in photography started in high school. Although I was on the path of humanitarian work, I freelanced on the side into college and used the resources and mentors around me to further my technical knowledge in the field. I attended Cal State Fullerton and learned the studio arts in a deeper manner that helped me become a greater creator of light, while simultaneously coordinating collaboration shoots to control the direction of my photography. My passion for post production has excelled during this process and full circles my vision in any given photo collection. I am so happy to be a photo editor now for Tessa Marie Images!

I found I enjoy capturing the small details in the world that may otherwise be overlooked. I love to capture the flow of people and create the perfect light to reveal naturalistic details. I then enhance those original details even further in my retouching practices. Macro details inspire me, and are a constant reminder of how complex our reality truly is. Documenting people and things is the best way for me to communicate my perceptions. I feel there is great responsibility in the art of photography, and that is to allow space for those in front of the camera to feel contentment within themselves, and that is the ultimate intention that drives to create and share.

Some people know exactly what they want to be when they grow up, from an early age. I am not that girl. When I was little I thought I’d be an ice skater (for the uniform), then a designer (but I can’t draw), then a lawyer (I’m an accomplished argument starter), but when I entered college I finally had to choose. So I chose two tracks to hedge my bets; pre-med and business. My junior year I decided I didn’t have the drive to do medicine, even though I had the grades, so I graduated with a degree in international business and marketing. I worked a job in sales for 3 years before deciding I was bored and fed up and I found the job I’m in now as a strategist which opened me up to the world of freelancing. I never thought it’d be the life for me, being in business I always saw myself as a 9-5er or business owner.

Discovering photography has encouraged me further into this freelance lifestyle. By 2020 more than 40% of the workforce will be freelancers, so why not pursue my many interests and make money at the same time? So what do I want to be when I grow up? Anything I want. I’ll strive to be the best I can be and learn something new every day. For now I am a photographer, strategist, Etsy shop runner, blog writer, wedding planner, and cake baker. I’ll wait to see whatever else the future has in store for me.

Growing up in the small state of Delaware I never gave a thought to the big city just thirty minutes away from me. While working on my Associates of Fine Arts in photography from Delaware College of Art and Design, I knew I wanted to continue my education and obtain a Bachelors degree and that is when I found Tyler School of Art at Temple University. Before I had even finished out my first year in Philadelphia I knew I wanted to live the rest of my life in this city.

In my last year of college I was introduced to wedding photography, something I never thought I would find myself doing, but instantly I fell in love. From the small details to the couples love for one another it is always exciting to see how every moment of the day is unique and special to their personalities. My favorite part of the wedding day is our time with just the couple capturing their excitement and love on their wedding day. I am so thankful that I have found my passion at such a young age and look forward to all of the future couples I will have the honor of photographing.