Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Solis
Hi Theresa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My love of photography started with my parents. Both had a love of amateur portrait photography and my dad, as his senior yearbook quote, was remembered as “sweeping up the darkroom every day”. He had a close relationship with his high school photography teacher and I was fortunate enough to also have Mr. Nelson at El Capitan High School as my first photography teacher. He nurtured my budding passion and taught me all the basics. I attended San Diego State University after and received a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and had the pleasure of taking one of Walt Cotten’s photography classes while there. He helped foster my confidence and taught me how to “see” with a lens. My fondest memories are working away, late through the night, in the SDSU darkroom. I photographed my first wedding while in college and have never looked back. Photography is my love language. It is my greatest hobby. I am so lucky that I get to do this and I am so endlessly grateful for the clients that trust me to capture their memories.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The largest struggle has always been finding a balance between wife, mother, employee, and entrepreneur. My children were both conceived through IVF and in 2014 I had to step away from photography to focus on that process. I had my daughter in 2016 and my son in 2018. After my son turned one, I relaunched my business and have been rebuilding it since then. My husband is also in the Air National Guard and gets activated frequently, so it takes a village to keep moving! Wearing all the hats can be challenging at times, but thankfully my family is very supportive.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a photographer, I’m all about telling stories through images—capturing those little moments that often get overlooked but are so full of life and emotion. I specialize in portraiture and lifestyle shoots (families, newborns, maternity, weddings, etc.) all while keeping things super chill, fun, and real. I’m the kind of photographer who’s always looking for that authentic, unposed shot—whether it’s a spontaneous laugh, a quiet glance, or someone just being their awesome self.
I’m most proud of the relationships I build with my clients. I love getting to know the people I photograph—it’s like we’re all in this creative little bubble together, and that energy shows in the final images. I am so grateful for folks that let me be a part of their memories year after year! Plus, let’s be honest, there’s something magical about capturing someone’s true essence and making them look amazing while doing it! I’m particularly proud of my support and work with the San Diego Make-a-Wish chapter. Every year I host kids b&w mini sessions and “you choose” mini sessions and 100% of proceeds are donated directly to San Diego Make-a-Wish to help grant wishes for kids with critical illnesses. The Make-a-Wish foundation grants the wish of hope and I am so grateful to be a part, even in a small way, of granting those wishes.
Ultimately, what sets me apart is my passion for capturing the real moments—those fleeting, authentic slices of life that might otherwise go unnoticed. Those magical “in-between” moments are what I live for. There’s beauty in the imperfect and messy, and I love finding it, while chasing perfect light, and showcasing it in my work.
What matters most to you? Why?
My family is my number one. My husband Franklin, my step-daughter Sofia, and my two children Wylie and Crosby. They are my reason for taking every step forward. I hope to instill in them an intrinsic drive to express themselves, to work creatively, and to pursue their passions, as I have been lucky enough to do. I also hope to bring awareness to the incredible work San Diego Make-a-Wish does for local kids with critical illnesses through my annual mini-session offerings.
Pricing:
- Weddings: starting at $2500
- Local Elopements: starting at $800
- Family Sessions: starting at $375
- In-home Newborn Sessions: starting at $400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theresasolis.com
- Instagram: @tsolisphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tsolisphotography
