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

Hi Erin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When my son was born in 2015, I was gifted a really nice camera for my birthday so that I could take pictures of my son! I had to learn the ways of the camera and learn how to shoot correctly to be able to produce good quality images. That took me down the rabbit hole of photography. I started to shoot my son, my oldest daughter and my family and I began to realize that I could actually create something beautiful with my camera! It gave me this creative outlet that I didn’t know I needed in my life. As a newly stay at home mom, I wanted to contribute a little bit to the income and decided to turn my hobby into a business, I felt this pull to be able to create beauty for others and to give them the magic and emotions of capturing life and love!

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I think that with my style of photography…it’s more emotional, fun, candid. I don’t strive for perfection and I make sure to tell my clients not to strive for perfection in front of my camera. The best captured moments are when your laughing together, crying together, having a fun moment between each other, I really just love pulling emotion out of my clients during their session!

One really exciting thing is that some of my images ended up on an album for a friend who released her music recently on Spotify ! That was an honor for me!

My journey hasn’t been easy and there have definitely been a lot of setbacks for me but I love what I do, it brings joy to my life and joy to others. No matter the setbacks, I’m always striving to keep putting one foot in front of the other and try not to compare my success to others success!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love the outdoors and I love adventuring, so I would probably take my friend out on my RZR and explore the back roads Arizona has to offer. We would probably take a few days and drive up north to Sedona and check off some of the popular hikes and eat at some of my favorite places like The Pumphouse Station and Indian Gardens Cafe in Oak Creek Canyon, some of the best food in my opinion and the atmosphere is such a vibe!! After getting back in town, I’d show her the Uptown Farmers Market in Phoenix, I love love farmers markets!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband ! Holding down the house when I’m gone on weekends shooting, meeting up with me after work to take our kiddos so I can get to a shoot on time! My family as well, when my husband is unable to take our kids, my mom will step in and care for them so I could book sessions, attend styled shoots, classes. I honestly would have not been able to do some of the things I’ve done with my tribe!

Also my clients!! I’ve been shooting for 6 years now professionally and without the clients that continually return to me, I wouldn’t be where I am without them as well! Take care of your clients like family and they’ll stick by you! I’m so so grateful for them.

Website: https://gracedbylightphotography.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/gracedbylight_photography

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gracedbylightphotography

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