The Accidental Storyteller: Tess Cagle

Meet the wedding photographer behind the lens! I am so excited to introduce you to this week's guest, Tess of Tess Leslie Photography. Tess is a photojournalist and documentation photographer based in Austin, Texas. After quitting her first 9-5 job, she pursued a career in NY which led to her experiencing work-related panic attacks. Through this gig, she discovered that she needed to find a better work/life balance. This decision to walk away led her on a path to evolve from journalist to full-time photography - which was always her original passion. I am so excited for you to dive into our raw, vulnerable conversation about trying to balance it all and when you should ultimately choose to walk away.

In this episode, Tess and I discuss:

• Where she finds her confidence
• How her photography style differs from others
• What it's like being a photographer in the height of Tik Tok and Instagram
• What happens when you allow the wrong people to speak into your dreams
• Why you should pay more attention to what comes naturally to you
• Breaking societal norms if it means improving your mental health
• How getting fired was the lowest point of her life but ended up being a blessing
• Why photographers shouldn't be afraid to ditch the shot list

About the Guest:

Tess has been documenting the lives of her community since she was 13-years-old with a point-and-shoot camera. She graduated from UT Austin with a degree in journalism and cultural anthropology, and is now happily pursuing her dream career as a family and wedding photographer with a documentarian approach. She is most passionate photographing authentic moments as they happen.

Connect with Tess:

If you're interested in inquiring about Tess's travel availability, her services, or simply want to give this incredible human a follow, you can do so on her Instagram! You can also subscribe to her newsletter Behind The Lens, visit her blog, and check out her website!

Resources Mentioned: 

• Stand Unshaken Collective - a Christian app jam packed with 300+ Christian yoga, barre & pilates videos. Get 30 days for free when you sign up with my code KAYLIE1240 or clicking HERE.
• Big Magic
• The Artist Way
• .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}