Tessa Ringlein shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Tessa, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Lately, I’ve found myself reflecting on how far I’ve come—not just professionally, but personally too. As a photographer, I have the privilege of watching my clients’ families grow over the years, and in many ways, I’ve been growing alongside them. With every session, I see how much my eye, my art, and my love for this work have deepened.
But what makes me especially proud is knowing that I’ve built this full-time business on my own, as a single mom. For the past eight years, I’ve balanced motherhood and entrepreneurship—often with a camera in one hand and a to-do list in the other. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. I’m proud not just of the work I create, but of the life I’ve built through it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Tessa – a Mom, photographer, and entrepreneur
You can basically call me a professional daydreamer. A little over four years ago, I left my corporate life and launched my business with just my camera and lots of vision. I’m born and raised here in Yuma, Colorado – but a little part of me is on the east coast. As an empath by nature, I feel deeply and see the world through rose colored glasses. You can find me playing with my son and dreaming up ways to elevate lives of those around me. There’s nothing I love more than making genuine connections. As a hopeless romantic at heart, I believe that love is the most beautiful thing in the world – and documenting it on the daily is such an honor.
I’ve photographed hundreds of people in love—but I don’t just see it, I feel it.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Without a doubt, my relationship with my son. Being his mother has taught me to extend the same patience and grace to myself that I naturally give to him. I’ve learned that it’s okay not to get everything right on the first try—that growth takes time, and effort is just as important as outcomes. It’s so easy to teach our children these lessons because we want to watch them succeed while loving themselves, but learning to apply that same kindness and understanding to ourselves is something else entirely. He’s helped me see myself through a softer lens.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that nothing truly meaningful comes easy. It showed me the value of hard work, resilience, and the willingness to fail—and try again. While success is rewarding, it’s the difficult moments that have shaped me the most. I’ve had times where I felt completely lost, but I refused to stay there. I held onto the vision of the person—and the photographer—I wanted to become. Looking back, I realize I wasn’t lost at all. I was growing. And without those challenges, I don’t think I would fully appreciate where I am today or the strength it took to get here.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Imposter syndrome is very real, and it’s something I face more often than I’d like to admit. With so much technology and so many ways to stay connected, it’s easy to fall into comparison—thinking I need better gear, more experience, more confidence, or just more of something to be worthy. But in those moments, I try to ground myself in the truth: it’s not a competition. I am enough, just as I am. Instead of constantly looking outward at what others are doing, I’ve learned to turn inward and reconnect with why I started. What I do is art—it’s not about perfection. It’s about feeling. It’s about capturing emotion and preserving moments in time. That’s what makes it meaningful.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m surrounded by genuine connection—especially when my clients trust me to capture their story just as it is. There’s something sacred about being invited into people’s lives, to witness and document their love in its truest form. Over the years, I’ve photographed hundreds of people in love—but I don’t just see it, I feel it. I feel a mother’s joy as her children run around her. I feel the quiet strength in a husband’s love for his wife. I see generations come together, with grandparents watching their legacy unfold in front of them. I take it all in, and in those moments, I’m fully present. That’s where I find the deepest sense of peace and purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rtphotographybytessa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rtphotographybytessa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rtphotographybytessa/
