And that's a wrap
the end of the 2024 year
Where do I even start? This year has been one for the books. A year of growth, of burnout, of inspiration, of courage, of breakthroughs, breakdowns, and believing in myself.
It was my first full year of having a full-time job, let alone consistently taking photos on top of that. I learned a lot about burnout and creating a work-life balance that is sustainable (still working on that one, honestly). I started this blog, which is honestly surprisingly still going. I started saying “no” to gigs - which led to me saying “yes” to even better gigs. I traveled for my photography, returned to Asheville to work with BANGS, photographed some of my favorite artists, reached 2,000 followers on my photography instagram (now sitting at 2,400), designed and worked on 8 exhibits at the Rock Hall, met some of the most famous people in the world (yes, Cher.), and most importantly — I have made incredible friends and captured some of my favorite moments.
To start out, I took engagement photos for a few friends and photographed a couple of special weddings. I don’t take on many weddings or shoots of this nature because, to be honest, it isn’t my bread and butter. Yes, I can be a hopeless romantic and I love love as much as the next person, but I feel like I can only truly capture the emotion between two people when I have seen it before. When I have spent time in the presence of their bond. Of course, for my friends, I jump at the chance to illustrate this love through photos. It is a very special and sacred thing that I do not want to take for granted. From capturing my aunt helping my cousin into our grandmother’s wedding dress, to a backyard wedding of two friends from the local music scene, and also an outdoor ceremony straight out of a fairytale. These are opportunities I do not take lightly, and therefore tend to not broadcast them with the rest of my work.
I didn’t do nearly as many portrait shoots as I wanted to, but I have found it more rewarding to approach them with more intentionality and planning than the spontaneity I have used in the past. Yes, some of my best work has occurred under the umbrella of spontaneity, but taking the time to curate details within the shoot has brought my photos to a new level. From deeper communication with my models, to in depth moodboards and location scouting, I have somehow managed to increase the storytelling and emotion within my photographs.
This year was a HUGE one for my concert photography. This was the first year I felt like I could legitimately make this my career like I have been dreaming. I shot some of my favorite shows, artists, and venues. I had over 25 concerts and 50 artists added to my personal archive, all acting as doors leading me towards my future. I met some of my favorite people to work with and made plans extending into the new year. My first show was for some local friends Lilieae at the Roxy at Mahall’s in January. I had just gotten over one of the worst respiratory infections of my life and I dragged myself out of my house to make it
My last show of the year was my favorite of all time - Suki Waterhouse playing a sold out show at the Agora in December. An incredible display of artistry and color and that dreams really do come true if you work hard towards them.
In between these two concerts, I photographed artists like All Time Low, Jonah Marais, Games We Play (twice!), Charley Crockett, Sierra Ferrell, Adam Paddock, Boys Like Girls, Sleater-Kinney, COIN, Native Sun, Gina Miles, Alvvays, Portugal. The Man, Coastal Club, Aidan Bissett, Jordan Dean, Juniper, jady, A Beacon School, Wish Queen, Liam Brock, The Rosies, and a bunch of others. I photographed small taverns and large auditoriums. In some cases, I met and befriended some of these artists. I photographed Cher and Mary J. Blige embracing upon seeing each other, Shirley Manson looking at her artifacts in the exhibit I designed at the Rock Hall. I learned that rockstars can be normal people too and that treating them as such will get you in their good graces. I just hope I made even the tiniest of impacts on at least a handful of these individuals I had the honor of meeting. But it definitely would not compare to the giant imprint each one of them has left on me. Like I said, dreams really do come true. You just have to work hard and keep going.
And then, finally, there’s me. Personally, this year was one of growth and continued grief. But, within my grief, learning to live again. I lost my mom 2 years ago, and I am just now beginning to feel like myself. Therapy has been VERY good for that. I played over a dozen shows of my own, sharing the music I have kept to myself for the past few years. I opened for artists like Katy Kirby, Mei Simones, Prinze George, Cavale, Emperor X, and played alongside some of my best friends. I dyed my hair back to pink for the first time in almost 5 years (my og signature color), got really into cooking, spent time reconnecting with my friends, made new friends from all over the world (even Australia!), bought a new car, and just genuinely enjoyed life. It hasn’t been perfect, of course. From getting stuck in the airport for 8 hours and the trip ultimately getting cancelled, tornadoes hitting my hometown (the day after the airport incident), helping friends navigate similar losses to mine, heartbreak, the symptoms of my clinical depression worsening, and feeling so burnt out I thought I may never create again. But, the good definitely outweighs the bad. And I am so incredibly lucky to be alive.
Thank you for being here, for reading my inner monologue, and for supporting my work. 2025 is going to be a big year for creating. And I cannot wait to share it with you.
xx tessa