4 minute read
Featured Photographer: Toddlewood
Once Upon
a time in Toddlew d
By: Gianna Simonelli
A photoshoot with Tricia Messeroux, CEO of the TMezz Creative Group, is unlike any experience you’ve ever had before. Tricia leveraged her entrepreneurial spirit, natural creativity, and advertising expertise as a former executive to create Toddlewood, Hollywood-grade photography, and videography services for toddlers and children. Scroll down the Toddlewood Instagram page to see beautiful child models styled in the image of some of the most influential pop culture figures, like Vice President Kamala Harris, Grammy-winning artist Beyoncé, actress Reese Witherspoon, or even Disney’s Maleficent! Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, she has brought smiles to her followers’ faces with the innovative “TrailblazHER” photo web series that pays homage to iconic female pioneers across many industries. Photos from her mini-celebrity series are used to compose photo books with a bio of each featured model.
According to Tricia, “This started off as a simple idea to transform kids into red carpet royalty but has now become a message-driven platform. [With the TrailblazHER project,] I can see we’re doing something pretty cool by boosting up the notion of Girl Power. It’s
especially compelling because we are addressing girls of all races, ages, and sizes! I’m interested in inspiring kids to become a positive influence in the world and make a difference.” Toddlewood offers headshots, editorials, fashion photoshoots, and video opportunities, like commercial concepts or recreated commercials, to equip kids with stand-out portfolios that prepare them for a long, successful career in Hollywood.
Stayed tuned for an exciting Toddlewood feature on CBS coming this fall!
Now a wife and mother of 16-year-old Skylar and 10-year-old Sunday, Tricia first discovered her passion for photography and digital media after studying TV and Film Production in college. And, how cool is this? Tricia is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the same sorority as current VP Harris! With her education and professional experience behind her, she never shies away from a challenge and constantly pushes the envelope to grow her brand.
What does a typical day in the life of Tricia Messeroux look like? A primary benefit of being your own boss is the ability to determine your work schedule. If you’re self-aware like Tricia, you’ll be able to tell if you’re an early bird or more of a late riser. As a working mom, Tricia and her husband collaborate on getting her girls to school in the morning before heading to her home office at 9:30 am. Although we love to see her finished projects on social media, we rarely get to see everything that goes on behind the scenes—from replying to email inquiries, scheduling appointments, and editing photos, videos, and content for her feed. She expects full days ahead of her filled with photoshoots or long-term projects, communicating with her team, and most importantly, having fun doing what she loves.
When asked how becoming a mother influenced her career trajectory, Tricia opened up about her position in a demanding advertising agency. After becoming a new mom to her first-born Skylar, she struggled to maintain a healthy work-life balance due to long hours and constant travel. To enjoy a better quality of life with her family while exercising her passions, Tricia knew it was time to reinvent herself, “and this reinvention had to include Skylar… which it did.” Her initial styled shoot involved turning Skylar into Diana Ross, and the rest fell into place!
A self-taught photographer, Tricia went through trial and error to perfect her craft. Today, her unique approach to photography relies solely on trusting herself and her artistic vision. Those in the studio with Tricia when she has a camera in her hand often exclaim, “Let her think!” Once she’s locked in, it’s easy to tell that Tricia means business. Her undeniable drive is just one reason we’re confident the founder of Toddlewood will succeed in any endeavor she pursues. With years of experience, Tricia’s camera lens has captured many influential individuals, delicious food, and scenic places for reputable organizations. Every successful person starts somewhere!
We applaud Tricia for the dedicated wife, mother, business owner, and creative mind she is. Stay updated on all things Toddlewood and Tricia’s upcoming projects by following her accounts @tmezz_creates, @tmezz_the_photographer, and @toddlewood on Instagram.
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