THE TANYA MICHELLE EXPERIENCE
YOU BRING THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE. I'LL TAKE CARE OF THE REST.
You don't need to know how to pose, what to do with your hands, or how to make your kids cooperate perfectly.
That's my job.
I'll give you direction when you need it, fix the little things you don't notice, and probably make a fool of myself at least once if it gets a genuine laugh. But I'll also know when to step back and let a moment happen exactly as it is.
Because the photographs you'll love most aren't always the ones we planned.
They're usually the ones that felt like you.
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK WITH ME
I want the entire experience to feel easy—from that first email to the moment your gallery lands in your inbox.
You won't be left wondering what happens next, what you're supposed to wear, where we're meeting, or whether you should somehow already know how to pose.
You don't. I promise.
I'll help you plan, answer your questions, give you direction and make sure you feel prepared before we ever start taking photographs.
And once we're together? Your only job is to be present.
Love on your people. Laugh too loudly. Chase your babies. Kiss your person. Let the wind mess up your hair.
I'll take care of remembering it.
01. SAY HELLO
Fill out my contact form and tell me what you're dreaming up. Give me the details, the people involved, the vision—or tell me you have absolutely no idea what you want yet. That's okay too.
I'll respond with availability, pricing and everything you need to figure out whether we're the right fit.
02. MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Ready to do this? A signed contract and retainer officially put you on my calendar.
Then the fun begins.
03. WE PLAN
This is where I help take the guesswork out of everything.
Depending on your session, we'll talk about location, outfits, timing, lighting and all the little details that will make your photographs feel like you.
For weddings and events, we'll go deeper into timelines, family combinations, important moments and the things you absolutely don't want me to miss.
04. SHOW UP & BE YOU
This is the part people worry about—and the part I don't want you worrying about at all.
You do not have to be "good at pictures."
I'll tell you where to stand and what to do when you need direction, but I'm not going to spend our entire time forcing you into stiff poses.
We'll move. We'll laugh. We'll probably embrace a little chaos.
And somewhere in between, I'll photograph the good stuff.
05. RELIVE IT
Afterward, I'll carefully edit your images in the warm, true-to-you style you see throughout my work.
Then comes the best email:
Your gallery is ready.
Pour a drink, grab your person, get comfortable and relive it all over again.
THE PROCESS
And that’s why I care so much about the hug, the glance, your child’s hand reaching for yours, the way your mom looks at you on your wedding day, or the first embrace after months apart.
Because one day photographs become more than photographs.
They become proof that we were here. That we loved these people. That we lived this life together.
And that’s why I do what I do.
Me, my oldest daughter, and my dad.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME
This could be a visually different section with 3–4 little headings rather than another wall of text:
DIRECTION WITHOUT THE AWKWARDNESS
I'll guide you enough that you never wonder what you're supposed to be doing—but leave enough room for the real moments to happen.
REAL OVER PERFECT
I want movement, belly laughs, windblown hair, tiny hands, crooked smiles and all the beautifully imperfect things that make your people yours.
HELP FROM BEGINNING TO END
Locations, outfits, timelines, lighting, logistics—you don't have to figure everything out alone.
PHOTOGRAPHS THAT FEEL LIKE YOUR LIFE
Beautiful matters. But feeling something when you look at your photographs years from now matters more.
frequently Asked Questions
YWHAT IF WE'RE AWKWARD IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA?
Perfect. Most of my clients tell me this before we start. You don't need any experience in front of a camera. I'll give you plenty of direction, prompts and things to do so you aren't standing there wondering where to put your hands.
WHAT IF MY KIDS DON'T COOPERATE?
Then we'll photograph that too. 😂
Seriously, kids are kids. They don't need to sit perfectly still and smile at me for an hour. We'll play, move, take breaks when needed and let them warm up in their own time. Some of my favorite photographs happen when things don't go according to plan.
DO YOU HELP WITH LOCATIONS AND OUTFITS?
Absolutely. Once you're booked, I'll help you choose a location that fits the look and feeling you want and provide guidance for outfits so everything photographs beautifully together without looking overly matched.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK?
As early as you can—especially for weddings, military homecomings and popular fall dates. That said, it never hurts to ask. If I have the date available, it's yours.
DO YOU TRAVEL?
Yes! I'm based in Southern California and photograph throughout Southern California and Arizona, and I'm always open to traveling farther for the right story.
WHEN WILL WE RECEIVE OUR PHOTOS?
Here I'd insert your actual turnaround times for regular sessions versus weddings/events rather than giving generic photography-industry numbers.
You don't have to wait for life to look perfect.
If this season matters to you, it's worth remembering.
Tell me what you're planning, who you're bringing and what you never want to forget.
READY TO MAKE SOME MEMORIES?
TELL ME YOUR STORY
