Tanja Pleis moved to Chicago 10 years ago and launched her photography business. What makes her photography business stand out is that it highlights and empowers women! Keep reading to learn more about Tanja and her amazing business!

Tell us a bit about yourself before you became a mom, and also how you changed when you had kids.

I am originally from Hamburg, Germany and moved to Chicago in 2012. My husband had been sent here by his company for a one year consulting project. After his assignment got extended, we decided that one and a half year of long distance relationship was enough and I would follow him to Chicago. I gave up my career as an HR executive in Hamburg and had no idea how hard it would be to find a job in that or any other field here. 

I was finally lucky and life was good. My husband and I enjoyed exploring Chicago and the US, going on road trips and discovering the US wine regions. Children were not really on our, well my, agenda, especially since we were only supposed to stay for maybe 2 years in Chicago. Life had other plans, and in 2015 we welcomed our daughter Milla - 3 days prior to my 40th birthday. She was (and still is) a strong willed child who rarely napped, cried a lot and took over my life while my husband went back to his business travels. Getting adjusted to my new “mom life” wasn’t easy. Handling the “mom guilt” when I went back to work was even harder. 

My daughter is now 7 years old and the mom guilt still exists. I launched my photography business when she was 3 years old and parenting while running a business is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I am working on giving myself grace and spending as much time as possible with my daughter. 

How would you describe what you do and what inspired you?

I am the owner of Tanja Pleis Photography and my work focuses on women portraiture (glamour and boudoir photography), headshots and branding. 

Photography has always been a part of my life from a very young age on and when the company I worked for in Chicago was shut down, my first thought was “it’s now or never”. I launched my photography business in 2018 and my mission is to empower women through the experience of a photoshoot and authentic portraits. We as women are often our worst own critics, all we see are the extra pounds, the wrinkles, the grey hair. We don’t give ourselves credit for who we are at this stage in life and how far we have come. I want to help women to see themselves through the eyes of someone else, my lens, and realize how strong, confident, fearless and beautiful they are. Because every woman is beautiful as she is. It’s not the outside, it’s coming from the inside. Seeing a woman’s transformation and how she leaves the studio empowered and confident is what inspires me every single day. 

What has been a highlight of your business/project? What’s been a highlight of being a mom?

A highlight of my business has been my “Fearless over 40” campaign. I photographed 40 women over 40 and every single one had a unique story to tell. We laughed together, we cried together, and it was a very rewarding experience to connect with so many inspiring women and share their stories through my photography. 

A highlight of being a mom is seeing my daughter find her way and place in her own world. She is smart, strong, silly, feisty and loves to socialize. I was very different as a child, shy and quiet for the most part, and I admire her for her unique personality. 

How do you take time to focus on yourself while balancing parenting?

I honestly don’t. Is that bad to say, lol? Well, I am trying to get better but I often feel there aren’t enough hours in my day to focus on anything else besides running a business and being a mom, especially with a constantly traveling husband. I will say though that my studio is my happy place and most photo sessions leave me energize and fill my cup. My husband and I also try to make time for regular parent nights out, enjoying time in our wine club and go on trips when we are in Germany and can leave our daughter with the grandparents. 

What tips would you give to other moms to feel successful or empowered?

Follow your passion, there is no such thing as being too old to pursue your dreams. Also, don’t ever think you are alone. Do what works for you and your family. Social media is all over us but it doesn't always reflect the reality. Cry if you feel like crying but don’t feel guilty. You are not a superhero and don’t have to be. Take it one day at a time.

How can people learn more about you & what you do?

The best way to get to know me is through my instagram account @tanjapleisphotography and my website www.tanjapleisphotography.com. I also have an all female VIP group on Facebook which is a place to connect with amazing women, get inspired and inspire others. That’s also where I post VIP exclusive sales & specials: https://www.facebook.com/groups/780322889640291