Today we’d like to introduce you to Lis Tyroler.
Hi Lis, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Photography chose me before I fully chose it. While I learned how to develop film at the Carrboro Artscenter in middle school, I have been a professional photographer in Durham for fifteen years. The ethos behind Little Wild Light grew deeply out of my own life experiences. I have a background in theater, psychology, art design, psychology, and somatic work, and I have been a strident feminist since I was twelve.
In theory, I have always been body-positive. I experienced a true shift in my twenties while working as an art model. Seeing myself in photographs again and again helped me view my body as form, light, and shadow. I began to see it as art, completely separate from the pressure to look “flattering.”
Then I had kids, and my body changed faster than I could track. I started asking myself what it would mean to simply accept feeling exactly as I am in the moment.
I realized there are two kinds of beauty. There is capital-B Beauty, like a sunset or a child’s face mid-laugh. That is the kind of beauty that stops you in your tracks. And then there is little-b beauty, which focuses on fitting in, looking pleasing, and meeting a standard. The photos I treasure most capture the unposed, true moments. One of my favorites is an image of my dad gazing at me while brushing my hair. Those images witness life exactly as it happens.
That realization became the foundation of Little Wild Light. I wanted to create a photography practice that affirms everyone’s inherent right to be documented and celebrated. Today, I offer portrait sessions, Embodied Portrait experiences, and boutique school photography rooted in authenticity and delight. I work with families, schools, and the quietly brave who are ready to be seen exactly as they are. This space is especially for people who have spent too long stepping out of the frame. My work centers entirely on witnessing you in your element. Wild light finds you where you are. You do not have to be ready. You just have to show up.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building a business is rarely a perfectly smooth road. For me, the journey has been full of beautiful learning curves. One of the primary challenges was learning to balance the deep, creative heart of the work with the very real demands of running a business. Managing the operational side, like keeping up with massive editing backlogs or handling administrative paperwork, takes a completely different kind of energy than photographing a client. As a mother balancing my kids’ schedules and our family life, finding a sustainable rhythm took time and deep intentionality.
Another meaningful challenge was learning to trust my unique approach. The photography industry heavily emphasizes perfectly curated and highly directed images. Stepping away from that standard felt like a risk. I had to build a deep sense of trust that people would value a sensory-friendly, truly authentic experience. I had to believe that my clients wanted to be witnessed exactly as they are.
Over time, I learned to embrace systems that support my energy. I implemented strict two-week turnaround times and began utilizing tools to streamline my workflow. Most importantly, I learned that leaning fully into my core philosophy attracts exactly the right people. When you offer a space built on witnessing and delight, people step into it with immense relief and joy. The struggles along the way have ultimately clarified my vision and made the work so much stronger.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Through Little Wild Light, I specialize in family portrait sessions, high school senior photography, boutique school portraits, and unique Embodied Portrait experiences. My work is deeply rooted in a sensory-friendly, highly personalized approach. I focus on capturing the authentic energy of families, students, and individuals across the Durham area.
What sets my practice apart is the core philosophy of witnessing. My approach creates a space where you are invited to simply exist and be celebrated exactly as you are. I guide my clients through natural movement and gentle, engaging prompts, allowing their true personalities to effortlessly surface. By prioritizing a sensory-friendly (and often a sensory-delight) environment, I ensure that everyone feels safe, comfortable, and completely at ease in front of the lens.
I am most proud of the moments when a client sees their final gallery and experiences a deep sense of joy and personal recognition. I especially love working with people who are finally giving themselves permission to take up space in the frame. These are individuals who are making the beautiful choice to step into the light and document this season of their lives. Creating a welcoming environment where people feel truly seen and delivering images they will treasure for a lifetime is the most rewarding part of my work.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding the right support system completely changed the trajectory of my business. When I first started out, I tried to figure out every single detail on my own. I eventually realized that community and mentorship are just as vital as creativity.
For finding a mentor, I highly recommend looking into local SCORE chapters. Connecting with my SCORE mentor helped me clarify the operational side of my business and build a roadmap that felt sustainable. Having an experienced, objective person review your systems is invaluable.
For networking, the best advice I can offer is to find groups aligned with your specific values. Joining a dedicated photography mastermind cohort that focuses on running a heart-led business provided me with a safe space to share resources, brainstorm solutions, and connect with people who truly understand the industry. I also prioritize making genuine connections with local vendors and other creative professionals in Durham.
The approach that works best for me is treating networking as relationship-building. Instead of focusing on pitching my services, I focus on finding ways we can support each other. Whether it is collaborating with a local school PTA or referring clients to another trusted photographer, leading with generosity always creates the strongest connections.
Pricing:
- – **Family Portrait Sessions:** $825. This includes up to 90 minutes of relaxed, documentary-style photography at a park or in your home. You receive a minimum of 70 fully edited, high-resolution images delivered in a private online gallery within two weeks.
- – **Newborn Sessions and Fresh-48** $1,075. This allows for up to two hours in your home, ensuring plenty of time for feeding, soothing, and capturing the quietest, most tender moments at a comfortable pace.
- – **Seasonal Mini Sessions:** $195. Offered on specific dates throughout the year, these are 30-minute, volume-based sessions perfect for a quick annual update.
- – **Special Events:** Starting at $1,250 for a half day. This is ideal for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs or other intimate family celebrations where you want the true moments beautifully documented.
- The Embodied Portrait Experience: $1,200. This is a longer, deeply guided session for anyone ready to experience body neutrality and be celebrated exactly as they are right now. We co-create a completely safe, sensory-friendly environment—often utilizing music, gentle movement, and a location of your choice—to help you feel grounded and powerful. The focus is entirely on capturing the authentic, felt experience of living in your body and translating your unique presence into art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.littlewildlight.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_wild_light/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlewildlight
