Meet Trisha Harrison

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trisha Harrison.

Hi Trisha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. 
I was born and raised in a household where artistry thrived. My brother and sister both were very into theater where I began to spark an interest in photography in high school. I was immersed in the world of photography from an early age. My mom was a photographer herself. When I was in junior high, I remember our family’s powder room being transformed into a darkroom so she could develop her own film. In high school, I eagerly embraced photography, often recruiting friends to pose as models for impromptu photoshoots, using nothing but a disposable camera and my imagination. Despite this early love for the craft, it wasn’t until a pivotal moment in college that photography truly captured my heart. 

When faced with a choice between psychology, my major at the time, and photography, my dad posed a simple question: “Which subject makes you lose track of time?” Without hesitation, the answer was clear – photography. With unwavering support from family, I made the decision to switch majors, embarking on a path that felt exciting. 

Upon returning to Los Angeles, I encountered the harsh realities of pursuing a career in photography. Despite facing rejection from paid opportunities, I realized I just needed a job to survive before I could follow my passion. Balancing various jobs as a nanny, personal assistant, and eventually an art teacher, I continued to hone my skills, seizing every opportunity to immerse myself in the world of photography. 

My brother introduced me to his incredibly talented friend Rebecca Fishman, who decided to take me under her wing as her second shooter for weddings. She gave me invaluable experience and insight into the industry. It wasn’t long before I decided to take the leap into full-time photography, only to be met with the unexpected challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

I was so incredibly lucky to have my principal, Nadine Zysman, at the school I was previously working, ask me if I would need to stay on the staff because she assumed with the shutdown all of my photoshoots had been canceled. I could never thank her enough for this thoughtful gesture. 

Once the world opened back up, I was able to start my full-time career. Luckily by growing up in Los Angeles, I was able to start my business on just word of mouth. Things started to grow when Liberty from Lady Liberty Events saw some of my work and decided to give me a chance at shooting some of her events. She introduced me into the life of being an event photographer. I can’t thank her enough for trusting me to shoot her stunning events. I am now her go-to photographer, and I thank my lucky stars every day for that opportunity. 

From family portraits to pet photography, maternity shoots to extravagant events/weddings, I approach each project with dedication and the goal of capturing true emotion and memories. I am extremely passionate about my work; I see the world through the lens of my camera, turning fleeting moments into timeless memories. I feel so lucky to work in a field that I created for myself and to do something I feel truly grateful to be doing. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to where I am was not exactly smooth, but I feel grateful for every twist and turn on the path. With covid and people only wanting to offer me unpaid internships at the start, I gave up on my dream for a while. Until my brother, Ryan Harrison, introduced me to Rebecca Fishman. My evenings and weekends started to fill up with photo jobs as her second shooter. She taught me everything. I have felt really lucky, even with the setbacks, that I have such an amazing network and group of people around me who believe in me. Most of the work I have gotten has been just word of mouth, either from friends or past clients, and I cannot thank everyone in my life enough for pushing me along this exciting path. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I don’t just see myself as a photographer; I feel like a storyteller specializing in capturing the essence of humanity and the beauty of everyday life. I tend to lean toward shooting in an editorial style to transforms moments into timeless vignettes that are drenched in emotion. I feel like I have a special way of shooting any moment with a chic and elevated style. I follow my gut as a photographer and adapt to every situation I am in. 

I feel most proud of the fact that I was able to believe in myself enough to take the leap into doing this full-time on my own. It is scary not always knowing you will get a paycheck every other week; however, it is absolutely worth it. I feel that as a photographer, one of the most important things is to make your clients feel safe and comfortable with you. I feel I provide a clean, classic, elegant style of photography while capturing the actual moments that make each individual person who they are. 

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
My advice is to work under another photographer that you respect and like their style. I took many photography classes in my life, but the real learning happens by doing. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.trishaharrisonphotography.com
• Instagram: @trishaharrisonphotography