Today we’d like to introduce you to Ericka Tisdale.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a photographer, currently as a side passion that I hope to take full time in the next year. I owe my gifts and talents to God. I believe he gave me the talent and the desire to photograph special moments in people’s lives and document important milestones. My photography journey is directly correlated with my personal journey of loss and faith.
My love for photos started in middle school, where I was always the friend with a camera. I would take photos of my friends and with my friends, and print out every single snapshot. In high school I started taking photos of my friends who were graduating for $25 per session. In college I worked for a wedding photographer for a short season, but school got really busy and I had to shift my focus. I still took senior photos as my friends and I were wrapping up college, but when I graduated and started my first job, I didn’t have time for it anymore. On the personal side, I went through a devastating breakup towards the end of college that affected the next several years of my life. Because of the breakup, I walked away from my faith and lived in a way to distract myself from the pain by whatever means necessary. After a few years of this, and moving to Austin in the meantime, I found myself in a really dark place. I was really unhappy in my career (the career that I had gotten my degree in), and I lived to party on the weekends. I had lost sight of my desires and goals, I was depressed and lonely.
It wasn’t until I finally felt like I was at rock bottom that I tried something different. I went to a Bible study that my mom suggested, and that changed everything. I found friends there that truly cared about me. I understood the Bible in context- a magnificent explanation of God’s love, not just a rule book. I healed from the breakup and all the collateral damage that came after. And I found myself picking up my old passions again, such as reading and photography.
I started serving on the photography team at church- capturing Sunday services and church sponsored events. After a couple of years of taking photos at every church event I could, I was asked to lead the photo team and train up the next group of photographers. I also started my side business of photographer in 2024, starting with portraits and engagement sessions and working my way up to capturing full wedding days. I now have a wedding photography business, alongside my fiance, who does wedding videography.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I went for the long explanation in my previous response, so I have already mentioned the struggles. The breakup I went through made me lose my identity and confidence. I made a lot of choices afterwards that led to even more pain.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional wedding photographer dedicated to capturing the raw, authentic emotions of a couple’s most significant day. I specialize in documentary-style storytelling, blending candid, unposed moments with elegant portraits to provide a story-driven gallery that feels both timeless and personal.
I am best known for my ability to blend into the background, allowing me to capture fleeting interactions and genuine laughter that traditional posed photography often misses.
I am most proud of the long-term relationships I have built with my clients, many of whom have trusted me to document their families as they grow long after the wedding day. What truly sets me apart is my focus on “emotional composition.” Rather than just focusing on the aesthetics of a scene, I prioritize the psychological connection between subjects. I spend time getting to know my couples beforehand so that when I pick up the camera, I am documenting their specific dynamic and personalities rather than just executing a shot list.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a high energy child who never met a stranger. I have a loving family and had a very fun and safe childhood.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://estisdalephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e.s.tisdalephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567147727206
