READING TIME: 3 min 42 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/13/2024
UPDATED: 09/13/2024
Tess Gearhart's journey into photography began with the innocent curiosity of a 12-year-old girl, armed with her mother's point-and-shoot camera. "I would spend all summer taking photos of the flowers in her garden!" Gearhart reminisces, her eyes sparkling with the memory. This early fascination with capturing the world's beauty blossomed into a full-fledged passion, nurtured through four years of high school photography classes.
Despite initially pursuing a teaching degree in college, Gearhart's true calling couldn't be ignored. "I ultimately decided I wanted to pursue photography full time!" she explains, her voice brimming with the excitement of that pivotal decision. This leap of faith has led to an impressive eight-year tenure in the wedding photography industry, a journey that began when she was just 18.
Tess Gearhart Photo & Film has carved out a unique niche in the crowded wedding photography market with what Gearhart calls "structured authenticity." She elaborates on this distinctive approach: "I take a very candid, and documentary approach to weddings, while still heavily focusing on maintaining a solid compositional value. I want my work to come across as refined and messy at the same time so the emotional element, that naturally comes with wedding photography, is never lost."
This philosophy manifests in images that are simultaneously polished and raw, much like the emotions of a wedding day itself. Gearhart's photographs capture stolen glances, bursts of laughter, and quiet moments of reflection, all framed with an artist's eye for composition and light.
In an era dominated by digital technology, Tess Gearhart Photo & Film stands out for its embrace of both traditional and modern photographic methods. Gearhart's eyes light up as she describes her favorite camera: "My favorite camera is my Pentax 645N, which I mainly shoot with Kodak gold." This medium format film camera lends a timeless quality to her images, evoking the warmth and nostalgia of bygone eras.
But Gearhart is equally at home with cutting-edge digital equipment. "For digital, I mainly use the Canon R5 and the 28-70mm f 2.0 lens," she explains, detailing the high-end tools that allow her to capture fast-moving moments with crystal clarity. This dual approach gives clients the best of both worlds - the romantic softness of film and the crisp precision of digital.
"I shoot pretty evenly film and digital throughout a wedding day!" Gearhart adds, highlighting how she seamlessly blends these two mediums to tell a complete visual story.
For Tess Gearhart, wedding photography is far more than just a job - it's a deeply emotional experience. "It's so cliche, but I love connecting with people the most," she admits, her voice softening. "I love getting to be a part of the most important day of my clients life. I have cried at so many weddings like they were my own long time friends, because my clients genuinely mean that much to me."
This emotional investment shines through in Gearhart's work. Her images are infused with a palpable sense of joy, love, and celebration, capturing not just how the day looked, but how it felt.
Tess Gearhart Photo & Film's unique methodology sets her apart in an industry often criticized for over-staging and artificiality. Gearhart describes her approach: "I communicate to my clients that I am very hands-off the day of. If they are searching for more guidance, I tell them to just let me know and I will provide that! Mainly though, I tell my clients that I am there to observe their natural movements and emotions, and create art from that."
This philosophy allows couples to be fully present on their special day, without the constant interruption of a photographer demanding poses or setups. "I want their wedding photos to come back feeling like they can really see themselves in the final gallery, and the best way to do that is to document them naturally," Gearhart explains.
While based in Arizona, Tess Gearhart Photo & Film's reach extends far beyond the Southwest. Gearhart's eyes sparkle as she talks about destination weddings: "Yes!!! Within the US, I love traveling to socal and the northeast, but will pretty much go anywhere. Internationally, I do a bit of work in Mexico and love it! I also just love Europe in general and would love to someday photograph a wedding in the UK!"
This willingness to travel allows the company to bring its unique style to diverse locations, from sun-drenched beaches to historic European streets. Each new setting provides fresh inspiration for Gearhart's artistic vision.
In an era of large-scale wedding photography operations, Tess Gearhart Photo & Film maintains a boutique approach. "I usually like to take on 15-20 weddings a year!" Gearhart shares, emphasizing the personal attention each couple receives. This limited client list allows her to fully invest in each wedding, ensuring that every couple gets the best of her creativity and emotional engagement.
Gearhart's advice to couples preparing for their photo shoot reveals much about her empathetic approach: "Know that your photographer is just as nervous to meet you as you are to meet us! Never forget that love is at the core of all of this and that's exactly as it should be. Just be who you are unapologetically and I promise you'll love your photos."
This gentle reassurance encapsulates the Tess Gearhart Photo & Film experience - a blend of professional expertise and human warmth that results in truly authentic wedding photography.
