Meet Tatiana Maximova

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tatiana Maximova. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tatiana below.

Tatiana , so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?

As a photographer, I’ve experienced burnout more than once—but luckily, it never lasted long. During those times, I felt uncomfortable, even hopeless—like nothing I was creating truly mattered. It was a heavy feeling, and it made me question everything.

But what always pulled me out was a new idea. Every time inspiration would strike, I welcomed it with open arms. That spark gave me energy, motivation, and a renewed sense of purpose. I would dive into the project with excitement and the hope that this could be the one to move me forward and bring success.

Looking back, I can say with confidence that new ideas—combined with the courage to act on them—have always been my way to overcome burnout.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

About Me

I’ve always been a creative soul, but everything I dreamed of and planned for changed when I moved from my home country of Moldova to the United States. It took me some time to rediscover what I truly wanted—and what I was capable of doing—in this new chapter of life.

Back in Moldova, my brother was attending a wedding photography course, and he kept sharing his excitement with me. He often told me, “You have to try this too.” That’s where it all began.

At the time, I was living in California with my husband and raising two little boys. I started saving for my first camera—and once I had it, I became completely obsessed with wedding photography. I didn’t care about any other genre. I had chosen one of the most competitive areas in photography, and it was never easy. Nothing in my story happened overnight. There were no shortcuts to success—just small but steady steps. I built my presence on Instagram, focused on developing a unique style, and never stopped learning.

Coming from another country gave me a different perspective, and I believe that’s what made my work feel distinctive.

Three and a half years ago, we moved to Nashville—and I instantly fell in love. The nature, the people, the neighborhood, the school, even the neighbors—I loved it all. I knew I’d have to start over professionally, but I wasn’t afraid. What I didn’t expect was just how challenging it would be to move a creative business to another state.

All at once, everything seemed to fall apart: my Google business account was blocked, my website crashed, and worst of all—my Instagram @maximovaphotography was hacked. At a time when I needed to focus on rebuilding my brand and connecting with a new audience, I was fighting to recover what I’d lost.

But as we know, obstacles don’t come to break us—they come to redirect us. And these challenges led me to something new: I opened my own photography studio, located in the charming Tollgate Village in Thompson’s Station.

For years, I believed I was only meant to shoot weddings. I never imagined studio photography would capture my heart—but it did. Now, my vision has grown: I want to create timeless, elegant portraits for families.

I feel incredibly grateful to have a beautiful space where I can create portraits that will never go out of style, my goal is to capture the true emotions and unique connection within your family. These are the moments that make your story special—and they deserve to be preserved beautifully.

At Focus House, we also offer stunning, high-end wall art that will add warmth and elegance to your home. Each piece is designed to not only decorate your space, but to bring joy every time you walk past it.

We proudly offer handcrafted photo albums and other luxury products, all printed in Italy with exceptional quality and exclusive design. These are not just photo keepsakes—they’re heirlooms to be cherished for generations.

I’d be honored to welcome you to my studio—Focus House.
StudioFocusHouse.com

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three skills that helped me and I recommend to others:
1. Write everything down.
Don’t keep plans and tasks in your head—not even the small ones. Write down your daily and monthly goals. This clears your mind, saves time, and helps you stay focused. Cross things off as you complete them—it’s a powerful habit.
2. Face problems directly.
Never run from obstacles. Instead of avoiding them, take time to think and find a solution. Don’t delay—solve things as they come. This builds confidence and momentum.
3. Change your mindset about money.
Learn to see money as a tool, not a loss. Don’t be afraid to invest in your business. You’re not “losing” money—you’re building something. This mindset shift makes all the difference.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Collaborations I’m Looking For

1. To continue my wedding photography business, I would love to collaborate with venues and wedding planners. The truth is—there are so many photographers out there, and it’s hard for clients to know who they can truly trust. Sadly, I’ve read many stories where couples chose someone inexperienced—or even dishonest—for one of the most important days of their lives.

In any industry, there are two types of professionals: those who know how to sell themselves, and those who focus on doing their job well. I may not be the best at selling myself—but I give everything I have when I photograph a wedding. I’m creative, well-mannered, calm, and respectful. I believe these qualities are essential for a wedding photographer who wants to serve couples with genuine care.

2. For my studio portrait business, I’d love to connect and collaborate with interior designers, real estate agents…. I’m excited to create meaningful, beautiful work for families—and partnering with professionals in these fields could bring even more value to my clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: maximovawedding.com StudioFocusHouse.com
• Instagram: @maximovaphotography @focus.h.o.u.s.e
• Facebook: Nashville Wedding Photographer Tanya Maximova Photographer

Image Credits

Maximova Photography