Conversations with Tesa Ahuna-Turqueza

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tesa Ahuna-Turqueza.

Hi Tesa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My photography journey began about 12 years ago while in middle school. After experimenting with my dad’s camera, I grew to love the beauty of capturing the special moments people have in their lives. During high school, the opportunity to experience first-hand film photography and the developing process furthered my interest in the field of photography. Around my senior year, my passion for storytelling and photography became centered around portrait photography.

Hoping to turn this passion into more of a future business, I took to attending Northern Arizona University where I am currently majoring in Photography while also obtaining minor certificates in Chinese, Japanese, and Asian Studies. Along with my passion for capturing the “now moments” people have my love for communicating with others around the world stemmed from my desire to learn foreign languages in hopes that I will find myself meeting different people from all over the world who will also see my love for photography.

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?
Honestly, it has not been a smooth road. Coming from an area that is heavily saturated with photographers, self-doubt really kicked in. The thought of whether or not I would be able to make an impact with my style of photography. Sometime during high school, there came the thought that maybe I should give up pursuing photography and take up something else for my future.

Rather than having confidence in my skill and ability, I began thinking just how difficult it would be to get support within my community to take the first steps to establish my business. One thing I do want to note though is that I think I was lucky to have the support of my parents who knew how much I loved photography. They supported my decision to continue my passion and major in Photography. With their support, I began to think more seriously and focus on what needed to be done in order to grow this business of mine.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a portrait photographer who is currently working out of Flagstaff, Arizona while pursuing my high education.

While really establishing my business here in Flagstaff, I have come to discover my passion for emphasizing the natural beauty of my clients. Having done a variety of portraits (studio, location, seniors, couples, family, engagements, and weddings), there has not been a genre of portrait photography I haven’t been interested in trying.

Something I am most proud of as an artist is hearing that my clients felt more comfortable and confident while working with me. As someone who loves to communicate with others, my major goal during a session (aside from capturing beautiful photos of the subject) is to bring out the confidence people do not realize they have within themselves. One thing that I think really sets me apart during a session is my confidence to capture the images that people ask for. Whether the idea is difficult or not, my goal during a session is to always be open to the ideas that people come up with and try to execute them in a manner that will have them loving the idea.

So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
Being honest with your emotions. Growing up, my parents always told me that people can tell when you are not being yourself and this can sometimes result in a negative image. Keeping this in mind, I always try to maintain a mindset that there are good and bad times that can happen in life.

Pretending that everything is okay in any situation (especially during a session) when it in fact is not, is something that is easily reflected in the way people communicate with each other as well as becomes visible in their work/creations. As someone who hopes to only give the best to clients and the people in my life, I try to be in a state of mind that is open with others and accepting when I am pushing myself past my own limits.

Pricing:

• Senior Session: 30min, 20images ($150), 1hr, 45images ($210)
• Engagements: 45min, 2oimages ($175) 1.5hr, 45images ($250)
• Families: 30min, 20images ($250) 1hr, 45images ($320)
• Couples: 30min, 20images ($165), 1hr, 45images ($245)
• Solo: 30min,20images ($65), 1hr, 45images ($145)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tesasphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tesas.photo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tesas.photo
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tesasphoto

Image Credits
Bethany Hicks (New Look Photography 101)