Mind Shifts, Super Powers, Self Worth, & Being Seen. Tonya Riggs | Fresno Clovis Brand Photographer
January 9, 2026
“Mind-shift moments have shaped the way I see myself, my business, and the value I bring to my clients. “
“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, I’m possible.” ~Audrey Hepburn
Two years ago, January (2024), my branding coach, Angie McPherson, gave me one of the most transformative assignments of my career: map out my Super Powers. The goal? To define my content pillars and finally name the expertise I had spent years quietly cultivating.
Through Angie’s coaching, I shifted my identity from “I’m only a photographer” to:
“I am a Brand Photographer. A former teacher. A natural light expert. A connector. A champion of body positivity. A problem solver. An organizer. A marketing nerd. A brand strategist. I’m more than just a photographer.”
— Tonya Riggs
That moment wasn’t my first mind-shift on this entrepreneurial path… and it wasn’t the last.
The Backstory: Where It All Began
In early 2008, I was a stay-at-home mom of three little boys with a love for photography and scrapbooking. I’d been reading about small home-based stationery businesses and thought, How fun would that be? I could build something creative that still supported the life I wanted for my family.
But the reality? I had no extra money to start anything. Not even a small venture.
That spring, during a girls’ weekend in Las Vegas, I brought $200 for food and entertainment. I wasn’t a gambler—truly, I’d spent less than $50 on slots in my entire life.
But one afternoon, I put $20 into a penny slot machine… and won $400.
I could have easily spent that money on my boys or on myself—trust me, I was tempted. But something in me whispered to save it. So I did. And that $400 became seed money for Designs By Tonya, my first stationery business… which eventually grew into Designs By Tonya Photography.
If you want to read more about my first photography business journey, I wrote more about it HERE.
The 2012 Shift: Charging My Worth
By 2012, I had transitioned fully into portrait photography. But I was exhausted, burnt out, and charging $150 per session—barely enough to sustain a business, let alone a life.
Digital cameras were everywhere. Clients were prioritizing digital files over printed artwork and I felt lost trying to communicate the value of my art.
Then came a book recommendation that changed everything:
Worth Every Penny by Sarah Petty
The subtitle spoke straight to my heart:
“Build a business that thrills your customers and still charge your worth.”
Sarah laid out a clear, proven path for boutique photographers. For the first time in years, I felt possibility again. I invested deeply in my brand, worked harder than ever before, and slowly reshaped my business into something sustainable and meaningful.
That was my second mind-shift:
“Not paying myself a living wage serves no one—not my business, not my clients, and definitely not my family.”
“Other businesses might try to copy what you sell. But they can’t copy YOU—your ideas, your passion, or your ability to serve.”
— Sarah Petty
The 2024 Shift: Becoming Tonya 2.0
In early 2024, as I transitioned into brand photography, I knew I needed to show up in a new way—more visible, more confident, more me.
That’s when I read Be Seen by Jen Gottlieb, a book that helped me recognize that I wasn’t inventing a new version of myself… I was elevating who I had always been.
“All your past experiences have shaped who you are today. You get to choose which version of yourself you step into next.”
— Jen Gottlieb, Be Seen
This shift—the Tonya 2.0 shift—was powerful. Friends, clients, and family all noticed the change. I finally did too.
Where I Am Today…2026
Today, I work with women and men entering the “autumn” seasons of life—leaders, parents, grandparents, entrepreneurs—people with rich stories and deep expertise.
My role is simple and sacred:
Help them be seen.
Help them show up online with imagery that honors who they are, what they do, and how they serve.
Every mind-shift I’ve had led me here. And every step of my journey uniquely qualifies me to guide others through theirs.
Your Turn
Mind-shift moments change how we see ourselves… and how we show up in the world. I’ve had many. You’ve had them too. And now, I want to help you capture this next chapter—confidently, authentically, beautifully.
If you’re ready for brand photos that reflect the real you—your expertise, your spark, your story—let’s create something powerful together.
👉 Send me a message today, and let’s talk about your own next-level transformation.
Book a consult with me here .
