Today’s Member Share comes from Tosha Cole of Tosha Cole Photography.  Check out the 411 below about Tosha and her business!  Thanks for being a Member Tosha!!


How long have you been in business? I’ve been shooting for 10 years and officially in business for 4 years.

What percentage of your business is seniors? Approximately 90% of my business is seniors

What do you think makes a perfect senior session?  I really drill into myself and my staff that an awesome experience is the key to any senior session. Being fun, funny, talkative; asking questions to get to know the seniors; having an excellent consultation ahead of time to narrow down exactly what they’re looking for. All of these are great ways to make the senior’s experience the best. This is not just another day for them, it’s the starting point of their senior year so we try to make it a lasting memory.

What do you love most about photographing seniors?  I absolutely love photographing seniors because they are perfect for my style of photography. I try my best to have a very creative, contemporary and edgy look. Seniors really challenge me to bring out my style and hone in on all of my creativity. Plus, I tell each senior to bring a “wild card” outfit to their session. “Wild card” outfits can be anything from an obsession to a mixture of anything that represents them. Once I had a senior bring all of their jewelry and once I had a senior dress us as Alice from Alice in Wonderland and we had an entirely funky session for both of them.

What would you say is the biggest challenge in your business? I would say that the biggest challenge in my business is also my favorite thing to constantly being working on. It’s the constant need to stay ahead of the curve and offer a completely unique experience for each of my clients. I also currently work at a technical school, am expecting my first child, and growing my business. Those are challenges on their own, but all together they can be overwhelming at times. Then again, I’ve never been someone who could sit still for a long amount of time 🙂

Describe your photography style?  Fun, creative, unique, contemporary, environmental, spontaneous, and ever-changing.

What motivates or inspires you in your photography?  Fashion absolutely motivates and inspires me. Also, some of my favorite photographers from other states are an inspiration as well. I would say that the individuals who inspire me mostly inspire the business side of my company, not only my photography itself.

Twenty Questions Game…Just for fun!

Where are you from/live?  I was born in Memphis, TN and was raised and currently reside in Bay City, MI.

Married?  I am married to my amazing husband, Mike, who has supported me and my business from day one (he actually funded my first camera about 8 years ago).

Kids?  Mike and I are expecting our first child, a boy, in February.

 What are their ages?  N/A

Nikon or Cannon?  I shoot Nikon, but I’m not one of those people who are specific to either one. I actually teach my students with Cannon cameras.

What kind of camera bag do you carry?  I carry a super cute camera bag in teal from Epiphanie Bags. It’s the best one I’ve ever had!

Favorite music to edit to?  Whatever the mood strikes. I am a 90s child so I love to listen to the 90s rock bands mostly.

Favorite Photoshop Action?  I actually use RadLab to do all of my fun and funky editing. It’s a Photoshop plug-in that I could not live without.

A photographer that inspires you?  It changes often, but I recently ran across a photographer by the name of Pasha Belman. I love the way he photographs seniors with so much color and in such beautiful environments.

Favorite Food?  Spaghetti, or anything Italian!!

Favorite place to shop?  I’m an avid Coach Handbag and Banana Republic fan. I also love finding photo props on Etsy.com.

Favorite drink at Starbucks?  I am a local girl all the way. I love this cute little coffee shop (which is where I meet all of my clients) called Brewtopia. Their current special is an amazing hot apple cider. It’s to die for!

Favorite Guilty Pleasure?  I have a very uncontrollable sweet tooth and love any type of sour candy.

Favorite memory from when you were a senior?  I really loved my senior prom! I also loved competing in SkillsUSA for photography. That’s when I first fell in love with photography.

Favorite Quote or Saying?  My favorite quote is actually one that I created to remind myself of my beliefs in this business. “The art of photography is not just creating a photo, but creating the extension of a person or environment the way it was at that exact moment in time.”

Favorite Workshop or photography event you have attended?  I have actually only attended WPPI road trip in Livonia, MI. It was absolutely amazing! I learned so much of the business side of photography. I will be continuing to attend those events and hope to attend WPPI in Las Vegas someday.

Favorite Magazine?  HGTV Magazine and Rangefinder

Favorite Vacation Spot?  That’s a hard one…I would have to say my favorite vacation I’ve been on was when my husband and I went to Beale Street in Memphis. We love local food and jazz so it was the perfect place for us to be.

Favorite Movie?  Any stupid comedy. I have a very strange sense of humor. Some of my favorites are Step Brothers and Super Troopers.

Member Share Monday – {Tosha Cole Photography}

  1. I love this!! Thanks so much for posting 🙂

  2. Anthony says:

    A wonderful Q&A. I always enjoy learning about other photographers.

heck, yes i do!

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