Meet Chaise Tinsley of The Tinsley Co.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chaise Helaine Tinsley.

Chaise Helaine, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a designer turned photographer, I’ve explored many corners of creative. What I’ve found along the way is that I adore photography. It speaks to my heart in the same way a good song can speak to our souls. I’ve always had a fascination with memories and the way they shape our feelings and decisions for years to come.

I’ve got a degree in Hospitality Management, with minors in both Advertising and Tourism + Events. I’m also certified in Wedding Planning (yes, that’s a real thing). I’ve enjoyed everything from event coordination for an award-winning restaurant, to Graphic Design at several Atlanta ad agencies. Having an interesting background gives me a really unique view as a photographer. Not only can I capture images, I can make sure the shoot goes off without a hitch and stays on schedule. It’s like having multiple experts in one.

My husband and I are champions of an adventurous lifestyle. We eloped to Iceland and are big fans of the less traditional. Our weekends are spent exploring the city (okay mostly just eating) or hiking in the mountains. We’ve been here for a little over two years now and are thankful to have landed in ATL.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not a smooth road. More like one full of potholes, bumps, cracks, unexpected turns and even some roadkill. Nonetheless, it is a road that has taught me a lot and carried me to where I needed to go. That road is still being paved, by the way, having no real end in sight. I guess that’s part of the beauty.

One of my main struggles, one that likely plagues many creatives, is settling. How dare we ever settle? The world is our oyster?! That is why you will see a variety of outlets along my road. Some call it indecisiveness, I call it exploration and ambition. Who knows. It took me a while to figure out that photography was something I could get cozy with a stay a while.

It was also difficult to do design and photography being completely self-taught. Not that the act was all that challenging with the right eye and dedication, but I always felt like a fraud. Imposter syndrome, am I right? Starting up a small business and believing in yourself enough to say ‘Yes I can’ and then making other people believe is tough stuff! I would tell you though, find your tribe and just go for it.

Please tell us about The Tinsley Co.
I started The Tinsley Co. when I arrived home from Iceland in November of 2017. I had just left my job, gotten married, fell in love with a new country and was ready to tackle the next chapter. Bookings were picking up steam and it seemed like the perfect time to dive head first into photography.

In my eyes, my job as a photographer is to facilitate and capture memories, create lasting relationships and serve my audience. My style leans towards deep rich tones with an overall darker look. I love to combine landscapes and couples when possible. I prefer intimate settings over extravagant events. I want my clients to feel like I am their friend and not their vendor. I am most proud of my ability to really connect with those that I work with and convert them into raving fans. If I didn’t make you wildly happy at the end of the day then I didn’t do my job.

What sets me apart from others is my versatile background. I think its rather rare to find a photographer that also has skills in design, styling and event planning. These are extremely helpful in understanding how an event works, how to keep things on track and the attention to detail that I have. I’m a firm believer in the jack-of-all-trades mentality.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have tried to settle sooner. What I mean by that is that I wish I would have found photography sooner.

However, I believe that we each have our own unique plan and everything falls in to place when its meant to. I think that photography found me when I needed it to. Not too soon and not too late.

If I could go back, I would have done more from what I wanted and not tried so hard to fit into the mold of what everyone else wanted. I would encourage everyone to do exactly what it is that makes you happy. If that is taking a while to search and explore and try new things. Do that. You’ll arrive eventually.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thetinsleyco.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaise_helaine/

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