Meet Calli Tansa | Arizona Based Portrait and Wedding Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Calli Tansa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Calli, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
One of the coolest parts of photography is training your mind to turn the ordinary into art. As Elliot Erwitt says, “Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” Through photography, I have been able to find beauty in even the smallest things. I never would have looked at the side of an old post office and thought that it was cute before my business. Now, I am constantly looking for ways to create and find goodness in everything. Photography has helped me develop a greater love for the earth and for people. Even if I quit tomorrow and never picked up a camera again, I would still be so grateful for the opportunity it has given me to search for beauty all around me. There is truly so much to be found in life, and I love that I am able to discover it and capture it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Something I really treasure about my business; is that I do what I do because of my true love for photography and people. I told myself from the very beginning that I never wanted to do photography simply to make money. I only wanted to create because I loved it, and I adored capturing feelings and memories. As my business has grown, this has only become truer. I try to be very reasonable with my clients and collaborate with them to help give them exactly what they are wanting and more. I try to do more than just the basics. I try to truly get to know my clients and understand their story. It’s never just a photoshoot; it is years of schooling and hard work coming to an end, it is two individuals finally coming together, it is celebrating life. While it is definitely easy to get caught up in the business side of things, I try to remember why I started. When I go above and beyond for my clients, I am reminded of the passion I have for my business, and why I enjoy capturing heartwarming images so much.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Arizona will be my forever home. If you are new here, or visiting, I would highly recommend just exploring. One of my favorite spots is along the salt river, and I frequently drive there to go enjoy the mountains and beautiful nature landscapes. I would also suggest downtown Gilbert. There are a lot of really good places to eat, and it is overall just a very fun and different atmosphere.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In all honesty, I think my biggest shoutouts go to my clients. From the very first person who asked me to take their pictures, thank you. I will admit that when I originally started my business it was never something I wanted to do long-term or full time. It was the people, and the joy I found creating with them, that made me want to stick with photography. Everyone I meet is so sweet and supportive of my goals, creativity, and artistic vision. I want to thank each of you who have trusted the process and worked with me to capture memories that will last a lifetime. I am lucky enough to have returning clients who love what I do and choose to work with me again. Shooting with them is truly an honor, and I love all of the new friendships I have made through my business. You all mean the world to me!

Website: https://callitansaphotography.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: callitansaphoto

Facebook: Calli Peterson

Other: Tiktok: callitansaphoto