We were lucky to catch up with Tausha Dickinson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tausha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, but it definitely didn’t start that way.

When I first started my photography business, I was working a full-time job and photographing families and weddings on the side. Most of my shoots were happening on nights and weekends, which is pretty typical when you’re first building something creative.

I’m really grateful for that season because it helped me learn how to work with people, how to run sessions, and how to start building a portfolio. But as the business started growing, I began thinking more intentionally about the kind of life I wanted my work to support.

I knew that one day I wanted to have a child, and I realized pretty quickly that working every weekend long term wasn’t the life I wanted. Around that same time, I also noticed that the work I felt most energized by was when I was collaborating with individuals and brands, helping them create images that elevated their presence and told a bigger story.

So I made a really intentional pivot.

I started transitioning my business away from weddings and family sessions and toward commercial and advertising photography. That meant focusing more on branding work, headshots, and campaigns for businesses and entrepreneurs.

Once I made that shift and really leaned into that direction, things actually started moving pretty quickly. I was able to reduce my full-time job down to part-time, and not long after that I made the transition into running my photography business full time.

Looking back, I think one of the biggest things that helped was getting really clear about the type of work I wanted to do and the kind of life I wanted to build around it. Once those two things aligned, the business decisions became a lot easier.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a Nashville-based commercial and headshot photographer, and my work focuses on helping professionals and brands show up with confidence through strong, intentional imagery.

My path into this industry started while I was still working a full-time job and building my photography business on the side. Over time, I realized the work I felt most connected to was collaborating with individuals and businesses to create images that supported their brand and their message. That realization eventually led me to transition my business toward commercial, branding, and professional headshot photography, which is where I focus today.

Through my work as a Nashville Commercial Photographer and Nashville Headshot Photographer, I partner with entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, and growing brands who want imagery that reflects the level of professionalism and personality behind their work. Whether it’s a personal branding session, executive headshots, or a commercial campaign, my goal is always to create photographs that help people visually communicate who they are and what they stand for.

One of the biggest challenges many of my clients face is simply feeling comfortable in front of the camera. A lot of people know they need professional photography for their website, marketing, or media presence, but they worry about looking stiff or not feeling like themselves. A big part of my role is helping people move past that. I guide clients through the process so they feel relaxed, confident, and natural, which ultimately leads to images that feel much more authentic.

What sets my work apart is the experience and intentionality behind the process. I approach every shoot with a blend of creativity and strategy. We think about how the images will actually be used, what story they need to communicate, and how we can create visuals that support a client’s larger brand or business goals.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. Many of the people and brands I work with return again and again as their businesses grow, and it’s incredibly meaningful to be part of that journey with them.

Beyond my client work, I’m also passionate about education and mentorship within the photography industry. As a Photography Educator and Photography Mentor, I enjoy helping other photographers develop both their craft and the business skills needed to build sustainable careers.

At the end of the day, my work is about more than creating beautiful photographs. It’s about helping people feel confident in how they show up and giving brands visuals that truly represent the quality of what they do.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

One of the most rewarding parts of being a creative is the range of impact the work can have.

On one end of the spectrum, I get to collaborate with individuals, entrepreneurs, and large brands to create imagery that helps them show up confidently and communicate their message visually. I’ve had the opportunity to work with companies like Dropbox, Hilton, and Jack Daniel’s, which is incredibly exciting from a creative standpoint because those projects often involve bigger teams, bigger ideas, and the chance to produce work at a really high level.

But what I love about being a creative is that the work doesn’t have to exist in just one lane. I can spend time helping brands create impactful imagery, and I can also step back and use my skills in ways that give back. For example, I’ve had the privilege of donating my photography to organizations like Best Buddies International, which is deeply meaningful because it allows me to support causes and communities that matter.

And then there’s another side of creativity that I think is really important, which is making space for personal projects. Those projects allow me to experiment, explore ideas, and stay connected to why I fell in love with photography in the first place.

For me, the most rewarding part of this career is that it allows me to move between those spaces. I can create work that supports businesses, contribute to organizations doing important work, and still pursue creative ideas that challenge and inspire me. That balance keeps the work meaningful and continually fuels my creativity.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience has played a role in my life long before I ever picked up a camera.

Growing up, there were seasons where life was really unstable for my family. At times we were homeless and living in shelters, and that kind of experience shapes you in ways that stay with you. It teaches you very early how to adapt, how to keep moving forward, and how to work for the life you want to build.

Because of that background, I’ve always carried a strong sense of determination and gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had. When I started my photography business, I was working a full-time job and building it slowly on the side. There were moments where progress felt slow or uncertain, but resilience was something I had already learned long before starting a business.

Over time, that persistence paid off. I was able to grow my work, transition my focus toward commercial and branding photography, and eventually step into running my business full time.

What that journey has taught me is that resilience often looks quiet. It’s showing up consistently, continuing to invest in your vision, and believing in the possibility of something better even when the path isn’t completely clear yet.

Today I feel incredibly grateful that my work allows me to collaborate with individuals and brands at such a meaningful level, but I also carry a deep appreciation for how far the journey has come. Those early experiences shaped my work ethic, my perspective, and the way I approach both life and business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.taushadickinson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taushadickinson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaushaDickinson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taushaann/
• Twitter: https://x.com/TaushaDickinson

Image Credits

Tausha Dickinson