Meet Tianna Trombly

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

Tianna, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

As an artist, specifically a wedding photographer, I think it’s so important to romanticize everything. It’s quite literally my job to witness and anticipate important moments unfolding in-front of me and its vital I do that while looking through a loving lens. Aside from that, I keep my creative juices flowing by indulging in passion projects, participating in and hosting styled shoots, and looking for inspiration in the world around me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Hello! My name is Tianna—a wife, mother, and storyteller. I’m a Michigan-based documentary photographer specializing in weddings and elopements, but I truly love capturing all the milestones in my clients’ lives, including graduations, growing families, and self-love sessions.

I’ve been photographing humans, love, and nature for over ten years, and I’m still in awe that I get to call this my “job,” because it never really feels like work. I was raised in a photography studio as a kid and later pursued filmmaking after high school, so documenting life, stories, and emotion has always been a natural part of who I am.

My approach is very heart-led. I’m a huge empath—so yes, I might cry at your wedding—but that same sensitivity also means I’m really good at reading the room, knowing when to step in, when to step back, and how to catch the quiet, in-between moments that often matter the most. I want my clients to feel seen, comfortable, and genuinely themselves in front of my lens.

What feels most special about my work is the trust people place in me to preserve their memories in an honest, artful way. I focus on real connection over stiff poses, and I’m always looking for the small details.

Right now, I’m continuing to grow my wedding and elopement offerings here in Michigan and beyond, and I’m especially excited about creating more intentional self-love and storytelling sessions—spaces where clients can celebrate who they are in this exact season of life.

At the end of the day, I want my work to feel like a warm memory you can step back into years from now.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say three things have had the biggest impact on my journey: empathy, curiosity, and resilience.

Empathy is at the heart of everything I do. Being a huge feeler means I don’t just show up to take photos—I show up to hold space for people on some of the most important days of their lives. It helps me read the room, anticipate moments, and make my clients feel safe enough to be themselves. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: really listen to people. Ask questions, pay attention to how they’re feeling, and practice being present instead of thinking about the next task. The more you understand people, the more honest and powerful your work becomes.

Curiosity has also been a huge driver. I grew up in a photography studio and later studied filmmaking, and I’ve never stopped wanting to learn—about light, storytelling, human connection, business, you name it. My advice: let yourself be a student forever. Take courses, watch tutorials, assist other creatives, read books outside your field, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Some of my favorite images and ideas came from just playing around and seeing what happens.

And then there’s resilience. Creative work—and running a business—comes with a lot of trial and error, comparison, and moments of doubt. There were times I questioned my style, my pricing, my path. What helped was remembering why I started and allowing myself to grow through the uncomfortable seasons. For those just starting out, give yourself permission to be a beginner. You won’t have everything figured out on day one, and that’s okay. Keep showing up, keep refining, and don’t let perfectionism stop you from sharing your work.

At the end of the day, if you lead with heart, stay curious, and keep going even when it’s hard, you’ll look back and realize you’ve built something really beautiful.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is less about a specific “look” and more about a certain kind of vibe. The people I connect with most are the ones who value memories over perfection, and feeling over formality. They’re not afraid of a little wind in their hair, dirt on their dress, or kids running wild in the background—as long as the photos feel real.

They tend to be sentimental and a bit nostalgic. They care about the in-between moments: the nervous laughter, the teary hugs, the way their partner looks at them when they think no one’s watching. They trust me to document the day as it truly unfolds rather than recreating a Pinterest board shot-for-shot.

An ideal client for me is also someone who sees this as a collaboration rather than a transaction. They’re open, communicative, and willing to share their story with me so I can honor it fully. They’re okay with being a little vulnerable in front of the camera, and they’re excited to be themselves—barefoot, goofy, emotional, whatever feels true.

Most of all, my favorite clients are the ones who value the art of storytelling. They understand that these images will live on as part of their family’s history, and they want them to feel honest, soulful, and deeply them. If you’re someone who wants to make some magic, embrace the imperfect, and maybe cry happy tears together—I’m probably your photographer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tiannasamone.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiannasamonecreatives/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiannasamonecreatives
• Other: https://www.threads.com/@tiannasamonecreatives