About — Tiernae Salley

**Hey Friends**,

My name is Tiernae (tea-air-nay) Salley, and if you so happen to be in front of my camera, I will always emphasize that you should be able to feel 100% yourself.
That way your photographs genuinely reflect who you are in that slice of time.
I hope you make the inside jokes, laugh the deep belly laughs, and feel all the feelings together. Because those will be the photographs we all cherish for years to come.

Let's Chat

***My family***

I grew up in Southwest Ohio (fellow midwesterners, where you at?).
My wonderful parents raised my sisters and I to chase adventure, be independent, and make memories. Along the way, I realized how much I wanted to hang on to those memories. Looking at photos gives you the opportunity to recall things you would not normally be able to remember, and that *matters* to me.
**Sometimes, it’s the seemingly simple moments that get you**
and they arrive in grocery store parking lots or on early morning walks. Seeing the way light lands on this wild earth has always moved me. It’s what drew me to fine art and photography.
**Sometimes, it’s moments you don’t see coming**
My love story took me completely by surprise. Bailey and I met in college and could tell from the crazy electricity between us that we were gonna be together for a loooong time. We were long distance for four years, and it wasn’t always easy. Of course, it was well worth it. She was and is the best person ever.
**Sometimes, it’s moments you don’t realize will mean the world to you until they’re gone**.
Looking at old photographs, even ones I have not taken, makes me love what I do. I hope that some of the photographs I have made will be printed, looked at, and cherished in 50 or more years. Most of all, I hope they’ll mean something to you.

I’m am always learning to appreciate the way the light falls in my own life.

Forever Favorites

The midwest.
I will stick up for the midwest forever and ever and ever, even when it drives me crazy in January and February every single year. There’s something about it that’s special, and not having picturesque mountains to fill the background of every photo has made me a better photographer (never opposed to photographing in the mountains though, just saying)

New places.
(and the restaurants and Airbnbs in these places). I do love the midwest, but I’m always planning a trip (or two). I love to explore. It’s what I daydream about in the grocery store line. I even love finding places to stay and eat for my friends when they’re planning their own trips

A good sunrise or sunset.
These make me melt. I strongly believe a beautiful sunrise is always worth waking up for (and that says a lot cause ya girl really loves sleep)

Connection.
I live for deep, meaningful moments I get to share with people I love. Whether they happen during an incredible sunset (did I mention I love beautiful light?) or over a dinner party around my kitchen table, memories with people I love are the most precious to me

Current Favorites

National Park vacations with my SalleyFamBam. Last year we headed to Acadia NP in Maine. The next park I am itching to hike asap is Glacier.

Vanilla Ice Cream with a drizzle of quality olive oil and a sprinkle of salt (trust me, it is delicious if you are into the sweet + savory combo)

Evening walks to the local market with my love. Our little corner of Indianapolis has become my favorite (reach out if you need recommendations on the best places!)

Looking at dogs to adopt! (hopefully we’ll have a furry bff within the next year or so, fingers crossed)

Phew. I’m sweating talking about myself so much. Can we talk about you, now?

My philosophy behind the camera?

You deserve to feel comfortable being yourself

I want you to feel your absolute best when you’re in front of my camera, whatever that looks like for you.
(Luckily, it’s harder to feel self conscious when you’re making silly faces at your baby, petting your dog, or kissing your life partner, all of which I will encourage you to do during our photo shoots.)
I will not prompt you in a way that does not feel true to you

Whatever your gender, religion, sexual orientation, ability, body size, or race, you are welcome in front of my lens, and I want you to have classic, meaningful photos that celebrate your life.
I want you to be able to look at your photos and say, “That is me! That feels like me!”
All you have to do is to show up, exactly as you are

The sleepless nights, the messy kitchen, and the toys strewn around the living room are part of this whole thing
Let’s capture the silly faces you make together, the snuggling on the couch, and the daily, mundane tasks that don’t look like chores anymore when you see them in photos and realize how much love is happening in your home.