Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanisha Clay.
Hi Tanisha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
When I was 18 years old, I began modeling for photographers in Chicago, Kansas City, and Saint Louis. I loved the creative aspect, and went on for around a year- traveling + diving into the wealth of opportunity in the industry. It was around the age of 19 when I realized that I felt stifled in my position; I loved being able to create, but you only have so much freedom as a model. I remember asking a friend, “Can I borrow your camera for a little bit?”; that is when the epiphany hit- I was on the wrong side of the lens. I started small and simple, as we all do.
I photographed anybody who would let me, focusing on portraits primarily, much like what I’d come from. I dabbled in families and couples a bit, but my mind was set on agency work, which was hard to come by in my southern hometown of Cape Girardeau. My husband and I moved to Saint Louis in 2017, and I remember being over the moon at the thought of all the possibilities that were ahead. I dove headfirst into agency work.
I connected with West Model Management, Mother Model; I even flew to California to work with ‘bigger-name’ models at Wilhelmina Agency. It was on the flight home that I remember thinking to myself, “There has to be more than this. There has to be something more intimate than wardrobe stylists and hair and makeup”. And there was- this is when I started getting into weddings.
I second shot with local wedding photographers whenever I could, and took my first wedding later that year. It started slow, just putting my name out there and digging deep to find all the learning experiences that I could. I invested heaps into improving client experience, perfecting my craft (which is a constant), and ensuring that I am always providing the best outcome for all of my clients. 5 years of growth, and I am now shooting 1-3 weddings per week during wedding season.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing good ever comes easy, but I have to say that I have been incredibly blessed through my journey. The wedding industry is inarguably one of the most demanding, and is equally the most rewarding. Finding the balance between wanting to be capable of providing an abundance of happiness to every couple, and wanting to ensure you’re not overworked is something that I think almost all of us in this industry struggle with.
This is my fifth year, and I am just now to the point where I have realized that I can’t give 150% to 40 couples a year; learning to limit bookings despite my desire to celebrate love at every opportunity that I get has been an ongoing battle. Of course, navigating COVID was a huge learning curve, but I was very fortunate to be in a situation where all of my couples were able to re-schedule, and I was able to accommodate each and every one of them. I really haven’t hit any huge roadblocks in my career, but to say that it doesn’t require hard work would be completely false.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I confidently say that photograph “All Things Love”. This primarily focuses on weddings + couples, but I also offer family sessions; there is beauty in knowing that families started with a love story, too. I would self-proclaim that I am most known for my work within the wedding industry, and for my “love of love”, as one bride coined. It truly is an honor to be considered, much less hired, to participate in a day as important as a wedding day.
I am most proud of my dedication to my couples, and the experience that I cultivate for each one. These are not just pictures; I am not just a photographer. By providing a luxury experience from start to finish, I commit to creating beautiful imagery and pairing it with a lasting relationship.
My role doesn’t begin on their wedding day; I spend hours helping them create wedding day timelines to maximize their time with me, provide an abundance of wedding day preparation guidance, and genuinely just ensure that they feel as confident about their wedding day as I feel in my ability to make it special. I am the bobby pin-fixer, the dress-fluffer, the one fanning them when they feel too warm; I often-times am referred to as a “built-in bridesmaid”, because I simply want to ensure that if there is a way to make my couples feel more comfortable or less stressed, that I go that extra mile to make it happen. This day only happens once, and it’s our job to make it as magical as possible.
While I feel as though we have so many talented photographers in our area, I would say the thing that sets me apart from others is my approach to weddings as a whole. I wouldn’t say that I am a classic, by-the-book, Pinterest kind of photographer. Of course, I capture timeless and frame-worthy images, and my process is very streamlined. However, I also encourage my couples to break out of their shells, have fun in their time with me, and live for the in-between moments. I’m a hopeless romantic, and that shows in my posing and imagery, but I am also one to live for a memorable experience, not just a memorable photo.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Grace- lots of grace on all fronts. I personally got married in May, and was IN the shoes of so many of my brides. Learning to adapt, accommodate, and accept things as they came was crucial during that time. I also think the world learned a lot about what they thought they knew about weddings; our industry saw a huge influx of ‘micro -weddings’; smaller guest counts, which still allowed for all of the beautiful details of a wedding day with only half of the stress. This shifted perspective a bit, and really encouraged me to be more intentional in my artistry, seeing how quickly things can change in a day.
Pricing:
- Weddings start at $2,000.00
- Family Sessions start at $300.00
Contact Info:
- Email: tanisha@photographybytw.com
- Website: www.photographybytw.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanishashootslove
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/phbytw
Image Credits
Joan Fisher
BTS Wedding
Shot by Antonio Harris
