meet tyler

Hey there, I’m Tyler.

the photographer and creative soul behind The Girl Tyler. Let’s get to know each other a little bit!

I’ve been behind the camera professionally since 2010, and had a camera in my hands since developing film was the standard. I earned my BFA from James Madison University, with a concentration in Graphic Design and Photography - of course. I also scored a minor in Marketing and my K-12 Art Education License while I was there too.

After exploring the world of design from websites to clothing, I decided to brave starting my own business creating wedding invitations and branding pieces for small businesses along with portrait and wedding photography. The latter stuck and has been my heart and happy place for over a decade!

Now I live in Williamsburg, with my husband and our rescue dog Apache (a tri-colored Sheltie). Spending my days behind the camera brings me so much joy. I get to do what I only dreamed about taking pictures with my Polaroid when I was five, documenting life and human connection.

long hugs, paperback fiction books, hammock naps, black and white images, disco balls, lavender-smelling anything, online shopping, animated movies, midcentury design, house plants, staying in PJs all day, historical dramas, dark chocolate, girl bands, audiobooks, black clothing

GUILTY PLEASURES:

other things to know

I believe cheese is a food group. It’s the main reason I can’t go vegan though I am vegetarian.
My coffee shop order will almost always be a Chai Latte. Almond or soy milk please, or sub apple juice for an off-menu win!
I’m a Sagittarius and total moon child (crystals, tarot cards, candles… I’m even Reiki 1 certified).
Kinda cuss like a sailor (but can censor myself, don’t worry).

I've got one tattoo (so far). It's a pineapple, the symbol of my hometown.
Mountains over beach, but honestly I’ll take any kind of travel (especially a road trip).
I love beer… from Miller Lite to Youngs Double Chocolate Stout, unless it’s an IPA.

Music

Outside of capturing real moments for clients, you’ll find me at a concert or grooving at a music festival. I’ve jammed out at 19 Phish shows and been going to Bonnaroo Music Fest every year they’ve had it since in 2009, even got engaged there during a Flaming Lips show in 2010!

travel

While I’ve lived in Virginia my whole life, I love to travel, especially with my adventure buddy (and husband) Martin. Road trips, long hikes, exploring new cities… give me a camelbak and my camera, and I’m ready to go! I’ve visited 10 countries and 29 US states (and photographed weddings in 7, but always looking to add more).

apache

Doesn’t this floof melt your heart? Apache was 2-1/2 when I found him in 2016 through a Collie & Sheltie Rescue. He goes to the office with me almost every day, loves to play fetch and go on hikes, can’t get enough scritches and couch snuggles, and lives for food. While he still struggles with some stranger danger and anxiety, once you win him over, he’s your friend for life!

meet our other

businesses

In addition to photographing stories for couples and families, I spend my weeks working as a producer, photographer, and so many other roles for the two businesses I co-own with my husband (Martin) and his brother (Graham). We’ve braved working together since May of 2012!

While the company is over 40 years old, my crew became the 3rd owners in 2015. We brought it into the streaming era by building channels on Roku and Amazon Prime TV that have nationwide reach and still broadcast it in select hotels and resorts across Hampton Roads too. Under The Vacation Channel, we offer tourism-based businesses and destinations production work as well as airtime on our channels.

vacationchannels.com

Also known as “creative freqs” (catch our wordplay there?) – this is the company name my team does all non-tourism work under, so if you’re a business looking for video production, photography, and digital marketing, we’ve got you covered!

creativefreqs.com