Austin wedding photographer SPECIALIZING IN PHOTOJOURNALISTIC DIGITAL & FILM WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
TESS LESLIE
PHOTOGRAPHY
wedding photos that stand the test of time
Your wedding day is one of the rare moments in life where all of your favorite people gather in one room. Don’t you want to be present for every moment of it?
With Pinterest and countless wedding trends, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters: your experience. That’s why my photography puts you first. I capture authentic emotions and real connections without hijacking your wedding with staged moments. You get beautiful, timeless photos that you'll enjoy for the rest of your life, without losing a second of being fully in the moment with your loved ones.
III. inquire about your date
II. EXPLORE my portfolio
I. learn more about me
I’m an Austin wedding photographer creating artistic and honest images that evoke nostalgia. With a background in photojournalism and 10+ years of experience, I approach every wedding, photo session, and event with an eye for connection and meaning. Using both digital and 35mm film, I take photos that not only show you what happened, but also how you felt.
I'M TESS
NICE TO MEET YOU!
(she/her)
Awarded & Trusted By
press and features
With over 10 years in business and more than 50 five-star Google reviews, I’ve had the honor of documenting countless love stories and milestones with care and intention. I’m proud to be Equally Wed Certified, and my work has been recognized across the wedding industry. I've been voted Best of Zola, and published in outlets like the Wed Society Austin and Texas Monthly. These honors reflect not just experience, but the trust couples and communities place in me to tell their stories with authenticity.
as seen in
- rhea & cody
Not only is Tess absolutely talented as a photographer, she's also such a sweet and friendly person. Even in the sneak peeks (which we got back so quickly!), it is apparent how just so good she is at capturing The Moments, you know? You can see it in what she pays attention to, things that even we, in the midst of being there, would slide right past.
Part of being present is noticing happiness when it rests gently on your shoulder, and Tess is profoundly good at noticing.
- grace + kevin
We didn’t want fabricated poses that would take precious time away from us and our moment with family and friends, or which would make us feel awkward or like our wedding photography was a chore. One of the beauties of documentarian-style photography is that you get to look back at those pictures and relive the moment, laugh at the same thing you were laughing then, and laugh some more at yourself.
We just focused on us... and Tess literally told our wedding day story by the minute photo after photo.
- Sam & christian
Not because of any editing, but because she captured our beauty and love for each other exactly as we are. Though Tess did put in so much time and effort into knowing me and my husband as a couple, it doesn't matter how intimately you know your subject — without talent, without having an eye for precious moments and framing and being able to anticipate a shoot's big moments, there's no way you can do what someone like Tess does.
Tess captured exactly how I felt that day.
Part of being present is noticing happiness when it rests gently on your shoulder, and Tess is profoundly good at noticing.
Not only is Tess absolutely talented as a photographer, she's also such a sweet and friendly person. Even in the sneak peeks (which we got back so quickly!), it is apparent how just so good she is at capturing The Moments, you know? You can see it in what she pays attention to, things that even we, in the midst of being there, would slide right past.
- Rhea & Cody
We just focused on us... and Tess literally told our wedding day story by the minute photo after photo.
We didn’t want fabricated poses that would take precious time away from us and our moment with family and friends, or which would make us feel awkward or like our wedding photography was a chore. One of the beauties of documentarian-style photography is that you get to look back at those pictures and relive the moment, laugh at the same thing you were laughing at then, and laugh some more at yourself.
- Grace & Kevin
I'm a fat woman of color, and I'm often self-conscious of how other people, even friends, photograph me and the effort they lack in taking even casual pictures of myself or of me with my husband... without talent, without having an eye for precious moments and framing and being able to anticipate a shoot's big moments, there's no way you can do what someone like Tess does.
Tess captured exactly how I felt that day... because she captured our beauty and love for each other exactly as we are.
- Sam & Christian
Helping you feel comfortable in your wedding photos
is my superpower
I know being in front of the camera can feel awkward — especially on a day filled with emotion and expectations. That’s why I focus on connection, guiding you just enough so you feel at ease but never forced. (I also come prepared with plenty of dad jokes.)
My goal is always to create a space where you can relax, be present, and actually enjoy your wedding day — so your photos reflect the real you and transport you back to one of the most joyful days of your life for decades to come.