Get To Know Téa Ceresini of Téa Ceresini Photography

I was fortunate enough to connect with Téa Ceresini and get to know her and the business she has built. This Hershey, PA-based photographer is genuine and hard-working. As early as high school, Téa (pronounced Tay-uh) felt a passion for photography and, because of it, she put in the work to be where she is today. Through this interview, potential clients get a glimpse of who Téa is and what it would really be like when you choose to work with Téa Ceresini Photography.

Let’s start with your background. How did you get started? What brought you to where you are professionally?

I started my photography journey back in high school. I was involved in all of my high school’s media programs including yearbook, the school newspaper, and our school news broadcast class where we would film news reports, have news anchors and edit it all together for the students to watch each week. I fell in love with this very hands-on kind of work and my parents got me a camera as a high school graduation gift! After high school, I went to Elizabethtown College to study Mass Communications, which encompasses everything media related including radio broadcasting, news broadcasting, video production, photography, graphic design, web design, etc. I loved all of my classes but I quickly learned that I loved photography the most and I loved the idea of being my own boss! I never pictured myself working in a corporate environment. So while I was in college, I started building my business and doing photography as a side gig. Once I graduated from college (a year early btw!), I was able to put all of my time and effort into my business and things just took off from there!

What locations do you work in/travel to for weddings?

I travel all over Pennsylvania! However, many of my clients are from the Lancaster area but I would love to explore more of northern PA!

Where are some dream destinations that you’d love to shoot for a wedding?

Some in-state locations that I would LOVE to shoot at for a wedding or elopement include Promise Ridge, Pocono Palms and Hickory Run State Park. Some out-of-state places I would love to visit are Acadia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Glacier National Park, anywhere in Texas, Alaska and Vermont! I love the outdoors so any venue that has beautiful views or wildlife is perfect to me!

What do you love about shooting weddings?

I love capturing the genuine emotions between the bride and groom. The excitement, the love, the pure joy, the happy tears, I’m a sucker for it all. I also love the connections that I get to make with the couple. I’ve always been a person who values deep and meaningful relationships so forging that kind of bond with my clients makes me so happy. It honestly just makes it feel like I’m hanging out with friends for the day!

Do you have a favorite wedding you’ve shot or any unique or interesting weddings you’ve experienced?

This is such a hard question! I can’t choose just one so I’ll give a few snippets from some different weddings I shot last year! There was one couple who hired a tattoo artist to come during the reception. It was a huge hit and so much fun! Another couple had a horse and carriage bring them into the ceremony space which was absolutely gorgeous! Some other fun things include bubble exits, pictures in a firetruck, raffles, polaroid cameras, taco bars, and game shows during the reception!

How do you make your clients comfortable, especially those who don’t feel photogenic or feel awkward in front of a camera?

I get so many clients who come to me and say, “We’re so sorry! We’re so awkward in front of the camera!” And I always say it’s 100% okay!! My job is to direct you, help you feel comfortable and get to know you. Your job, as the client, is to just show up and keep an open mind. 

One thing I do to help loosen up my couples and help them feel less awkward during their photoshoot is giving them prompts or actions to do together. One prompt that I absolutely love doing is having them take off their shoes and just run through a field together. Giving the couples a task to do takes a lot of the focus away from “Oh, does my arm look okay? Is my leg in the right spot? What if my hair is messed up?” and allows them to focus more on acting out the prompt and being together. This is also a great way for me to capture genuine laughs and smiles which is honestly my whole goal!

What is your shooting and editing style? How would you describe it?

I always make sure to get a good mixture of prompted (and/or candid) photos and more posed photos when I’m shooting because I want my clients to be able to have a variety of photos that they can use for different things! I also LOVE shooting during golden hour. I always recommend scheduling sessions for either sunrise or sunset to get a beautiful golden glow! I would describe my editing style as warm and moody with dark greens and golden tones. Editing is something I am always experimenting with and tweaking but I feel like I have finally really narrowed down what my style is now!

What is your why?

My why has definitely changed over the years. Before, while I was in college, photography was my creative outlet. I was finding myself and figuring out my life so I was mostly focused on just having fun. Today, I now know the importance and weight that these photographs hold for so many of my clients. As a photographer, I’m capturing so many important milestones in my couples lives whether it’s their wedding day, their first home together, their first newborn, etc. And as my fiance and I have started planning our lives together, my mindset has changed since college and I now put myself into my client’s shoes and think, “What photos would I want from this day? What memories would I want captured so I can look back on them for the rest of my life?” I now look at the photos I take from my clients’ perspective and I’ve literally gotten teary-eyed before while editing a gallery because I captured such a special moment that I know the couple will cherish. Honestly, being able to do this for people everyday makes me so happy. 

What are some tips you would give couples planning a wedding when it comes to searching for and choosing a photographer?

It is so important to find a photographer whose style you like but also someone who you feel comfortable around. You will be spending A LOT of time with your photographer throughout the entire wedding planning process so they should be someone who you click with. And please, reach out to your preferred photographers (and other vendors) as soon as you can! Our calendars can get booked up so fast and we hate when we have to turn down an amazing couple because we are already booked for their wedding day!

Anything else you would like potential clients to know about you or your business?

This isn’t necessarily wedding related, but this year I started something new! I recently jumped into boudoir photography and let’s just say, I instantly fell in love with it! I’ve had so many brides reach out to me to book bridal boudoir sessions so they can give an album to their fiancé! If there are any brides out there who are interested, I would love to chat with you! I’ll help you pick out outfits, create an inspo board, make a playlist and bring snacks! It’s always such a fun time!!

Are there any other Central PA wedding vendors you would like to give a shoutout to?

I would love to give a shoutout to Bodnar Film Co.! Jenn and Ben Bodnar hired me as a second shooter and an associate photographer right as I got done with college and I have learned so much from both of them! They have been in the wedding industry for years and have been wonderful mentors. They are so amazing and kind-hearted! Thank you Bodnars!

I also want to give a shoutout to Ashley Green who owns Captured by Ashley Green LLC. We have been friends for so long and jumped into the photography industry together. We have helped each other so much over the years and I’m so thankful to have her by my side on wedding days!

Share 3 random/fun facts about yourself!

1. My favorite place in the world is Alaska. It is so peaceful and beautiful. It truly feels like home!

2. I love to read! I’m currently reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas and I’m always looking for fellow readers to chat with! Add me on GoodReads!

3. I have 5 tattoos but my favorite one is of a beautiful angel with a vintage camera slung over her shoulder!