Today we’d like to introduce you to Tessah Wells.
Hi Tessah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up surrounded by family members who always had a camera in hand or were recording video. It was just a natural part of life. Whether it was a camcorder at a birthday party or a camera at every holiday gathering, I was raised around valuing capturing memories. That foundation planted a seed in me early on, but it wasn’t until high school that I truly realized how much I loved what the world had to offer through a lens. Me taking the photos myself rather than being in them!
I became captivated by the way light danced across everyday moments, and how expressions and emotions could be frozen in time. I never wanted to miss those reactions from the laughter, the connection, to the beauty of real life. That passion grew deeper when I took a photography class in my junior year. From then on, I knew this was what I was meant to do.
After graduating, I entered college in 2009 with the dream of becoming a photojournalist or documentary photographer for a major magazine in a big city. But life had different plans. In 2011, I graduated with soon to have a newborn baby girl in my arms and had just married my high school sweetheart, who deployed to Afghanistan that same year as well. With so much change and responsibility, I made the decision to pause my photography journey until he completed his military service.
Tessah Y Wells Photo officially launched in 2014. The camera had been put away long enough, and I felt the pull back into the world I loved so much. We were finally settled back in Ohio, my husband was home, and I knew it was time. Since then, I’ve been telling stories for 11 years, stories full of emotion, raw beauty, vibrant color, and real life!
I’m deeply faith based, and I know I am nothing without the gifts God has placed in me. It’s my prayer that I continue to glorify Him through my work and that His goodness shines in everything I create. To all the clients who have supported me from the very beginning, thank you. Your love and encouragement have been such a blessing and the reason I get to do what I love every single day.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. The rising cost of living, the impact of COVID-19 in 2020, and the lack of consistent community support for small business owners have all been difficult to navigate. On top of that, balancing the daily hustle of being a mom and wife, from making sure the homestead is taken care of while managing the demands of running a business, has required constant juggling. There are seasons where it feels like everything is happening all at once, but through it all, I’ve learned to lean on faith, stay grounded, and keep showing up with purpose.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in storytelling through rich, emotional imagery. I capture real life, raw moments, genuine connection, and beautiful color. Whether I’m photographing a wedding, a family session, or a personal milestone, my goal is always to create honest, heartfelt work that reflects the unique beauty of each person’s story.
What sets me apart is not just my eye for emotion and color, but the way I build relationships with the people I photograph. I don’t take it lightly when someone trusts me to tell their story.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Something special I carry into every session is the belief that photography is more than just a job. I truly see it as a way to serve others. I’ve prayed over sessions, cried with clients during life’s hardest moments, and celebrated right alongside them during their greatest joys. It’s not lost on me how sacred it is to be invited into people’s lives in such an intimate way.
One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been watching families grow! Capturing their engagement, their wedding, their first baby, and then years later, their growing kids. I don’t just take their photos, I walk with them through seasons. That’s the heart of what I do!
Pricing:
- My pricing can all be found on my site at: https://unscriptedphotographers.com/tywphoto
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unscriptedphotographers.com/tywphoto
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessahywells_photo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AaxDjYZRw/
