Meet Tess Elizabeth | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tess Elizabeth and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tess, what would you tell others who are questioning whether to give up or keep going?

Hey! Thanks for having me again.

I’ve had my share of doubt and uncertainty, and have questioned my trajectory in this for sure. I’d tell anyone to keep going! Don’t worry about the big questions – just keep shooting. The questions will answer themselves as you go. That’s been my experience.

Let’s talk shop! Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community? What are you most excited about?

I do mostly portrait, documentary, and fashion work with small brands, artists, and nonprofits.

When I’m shooting I love to create and follow a vision but stay true to the moment. I love the experience of making images with people. I am genuinely fascinated by what comes through – hopefully in the photos, but also on a personal level, when people really feel allowed to be themselves. Because I shoot this way, when I walk away I know what we made was authentic to the subject and to the moment.

I love how one occupation can lend itself to many different types of experiences. While shooting is the common denominator, I find myself in different types of spaces, environments, events, situations, etc. It keeps it exciting, and photographing suits my demeanor – I feel equal parts a fly on the wall and collaborative.

I am most excited about the evolution this whole thing has taken. When I started, I was doing everything for my shoots on my own (except modeling and makeup), and now I work with full teams and collaborate with really inspiring people and clients. I am so excited to continue on this train and see where it goes. I feel truly lucky to know what I love doing more than anything. My life felt totally different before I started working as a photographer.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
What I love about LA is that, even though I am from here and have lived here for a long time, I could never say I completely know it. It’s just too vast. I think wandering around LA is the way to go. Every neighborhood has its own feel and history. But some of the places I love are: the mountains (on the west and east sides), Stories Books for hanging out and reading (there are so many amazing independent bookstores in LA including Esowon, Skylight, The Last Bookstore, Sideshow), The Punchbowl for smoothies, Triple Beam Pizza (their acorn squash pizza is insane), Lakers games, going to shows, flea markets, Reparations Club has really enlightening events, The New Beverly Theater (owned by Quentin Tarantino, shows films only in 35mm). I love all the one of a kind small businesses all over LA! I try to stick with small businesses for my needs and wants.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are an overwhelming amount of influences I could talk about, but two women who provided me with formative experiences in photography come to mind.

When I was seventeen and in high school, I met underwater photographer Gisele Lubsen through a family friend. She was in graduate school at the time, and asked me to model in the project that was her Otis thesis. We spent the next few weeks talking about life, laughing, dragging heavy seaweed across the beach (to use for the shoots), making experimental videos, and enjoying the water, which Gisele’s connection to was [and is still] palpable. I had already been photographing at this point, but Gisele opened me to the experience of working as a photographer, and having connective experiences with others on the job. I was really impacted by her process. Over the years I got to both model for and also assist her on various projects. She opened up my world at a time when I needed it.

In 2015, an odd series of events led me to The BlaNk Studio, a vintage wonderland in Los Feliz (sadly no longer there). I met Melissa Simpson, the store’s owner (and amazingly talented designer), and after talking with her and being transported into her fun, slightly chaotic world, I begged her to give me a job at the studio. She said yes! This led to some of my favorite years – Melissa had me managing the store but also photographing people in our vintage. I loved creating little scenes and stories. I fell in love with shooting all over again, and in a new way.

Website: www.tesselizabeth.com

Instagram: tesselizabethw

Image Credits
IMAGE 1: Self Portrait – Photographer and Model – Tess Elizabeth, HMU – Ashlee Nicole Jordan, IMAGE 2: Model – Michelle Estrella, Stylist – Joanie Marie, IMAGE 3: Model – Elliot Evans, Stylist – Aya Zacharias, IMAGE 4: Model – Margaret Boe, Stylist – Aya Zacharias, IMAGE 5: Model: Danielle Burgess, MUA: Daphne Chantell, Stylist – Janet Lopez, Hair – Erik Jon, IMAGE 6: Model – Raven Jamison, IMAGE 7: Models: Mya Richardson and Morgan Skeries, Stylist – Tess Elizabeth, IMAGE 8: Model – Ashlee Nicole Jordan, IMAGE 9: Model – Darren Pitts