Tonjanika Smith Photography

07/30/2020

My sister and I decided to engage in making "hard decisions" by playing "Would You Rather" Wedding Edition. Welcome to our shenanigans.

Which would you choose?

Full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDj3hv32j6Q&t=116s

07/15/2020

Hey y'all! We have a lot of new faces on instagram and a few here, so I wanted to welcome folks to the family! I'm Tonjanika, and I'm a multicultural wedding and lifestyle photographer!🙌🏾 I'm also a dang good teacher, a middle school crush confidante, and a dance coach to the BADDEST dance team, Major Legacy. I know a thing or two about a thing or two. 😏

Many of you caught me during a difficult season of incredible highs and heartbreaking lows, and that's okay. That's life. That's what makes us all human. I've suffered many losses but also experienced many wins, and I'm glad to add you to my family while we enjoy the ride.🙏🏾

I'm incredibly proud to have a Black-owned and woman-owned business, and to be part of the push for inclusivity in this industry, and I hope you're proud of me too. ✊🏾🖤

Throwback to when the world was open, and I could dance on sidewalks in West Philly freely. (Also, I definitely fell after this. 😭😂)

Now, let's play a game: With the color shirt you're wearing + last thing you ate, what would be the name of your dance crew?😅 On insta, we had some poppin ones, too! I wonder if we can do better than Blue Espresso, Charcoal Shake, and Black Jollof...🤔

07/08/2020

Earlier this week, I was featured by Philadelphia Wedding Magazine along with some of best Black Wedding Photographers and Videographers in our area.

Being the new kid on the block, it feels slightly surreal. I'm honored and humbled. I'm also overwhelmed because we still have such a long way to go to ensure the liberation of all of us.

In many ways, choosing to love and choosing to celebrate our love--loudly and unashamed--is a protest in itself. I find joy in being part of those moments in the lives of many.

I'm thankful to be seen and part of the push for change within the wedding industry. The article is below if you want to check and support myself and others.

Take a peek at some of the talents you need to know.

07/07/2020

First session since quarantine! Mike and Morriah LOVE surprising and pranking each other, so it only seemed fitting to have a surprise anniversary session! Mike didn't know what was happening until I made my mysterious "I'm here" call and came around the corner to park 😂. I live for these moments!! In a beautiful gesture, we met at the location where they first met, full of vibrant murals in true Philly fashion. Shooting in this setting was a nice change of pace from my normal "greens" and an amazing way to social distancing style love on my people and capture them loving on each other. I'm so happy to be part of this moment and this milestone in y'all love story. ❤🖤❤

To many more days living in color.

🌈 Happy Anniversary! 🌈

07/02/2020

I'm so excited to be starting July with exciting news! Enongo and Lanre's wedding was published in magazine! Y'all, I've been wanting to say something for so long, and now, I can tell everybody! I am truly blessed to have this beautiful couple showcased in this special issue dedicated to featuring real couples who did weddings in their own special (and best) way. There's so much talent in Philadelphia, and I'm humbled by the incredible team of vendors I worked alongside to bring their wedding to reality! Grab your copy when it hits the newsstands next week to see all of the other love stories! Shout out to Black Love and Black Joy! 🖤✊🏾
•
Couple:
Venue:
Photographer:
Videographer: Kevin Schreck of
Coordinator:
Officiant:
Lead Hair Stylist:
Braiding Assistant:
Creative Bead Designer:
MUA:
Attire:
Cake:
Florist:
DJ:
Drinks:
Photobooth:

01/01/2020

Thankful for all the amazing clients, couples, and creatives who made 2019 special for me. Ready to see what's in store for 2020.

08/12/2019

I originally started my business because everyone told me I had an eye for photography (and a camera was always found in hand), but this reason has evolved over time.

I show up on the good and bad days because my clients deserve having those special moments documented for them to reflect on decades from now. THIS is why I do what I do.

08/02/2019

My summer officially closed yesterday as I finished to my first day of teacher professional development for the upcoming school year. That evening, I'm reflected on all of the wins: working with fantastic photographers, filming amazing industry creatives, and photographing sweet spirits like Samelle Arhin. I even got a lil tan and hung out with my favorite little cousin! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Yes, summer has been good to me!

What are you celebrating so far? What do you look forward to celebrating in these last weeks of summer?

05/15/2019

It was everyone's first time at Longwood Gardens, and it did not disappoint.Beautiful flowers and flora everywhere! Despite the crowds, I was able to create images that I am proud of and that are true to the love and life that Sebastian and Hannah bring. Click to see this sweet couple's engagement.

Engaged, Love Sweet Spring Engagement Session at Longwood Gardens May 14, 2019 RELATED POSTS We’re on Philly In Love! Philadelphia Maternity Session – Roxanne Love is Like Pi(e) Orchids, daisies, tulips—they all know when it is exact time to bloom, to stretch open their beautiful petals and gr...

05/15/2019

When I’m sad, it is easy for me to disconnect from my business social media. In a world where everything has to be picture perfect on a social media, we miss out on the real ebbs and flows of life. Everything isn't always great, and I didn’t feel like faking it for you. I’ve experienced great loss and am grappling with being at peace so far away from home.

This past weekend – Mother’s Day Weekend – we honored the legacy and life of my grandmother. She was a sassy, raw, and sweet-spirited woman. She had an open door policy, raising not only her 10 biological children, but countless others in her community. She told me the adventures of the past while helping me make my senior prom dress. She giggled like a teenager when around her sister, Aunt Nanny, but wasn’t afraid to chastise us if we were being foolish (If y’all don’t close that door!). She called me her “college girl” and never forgot to tell me how pretty I was (even when I felt ugly) and how proud she was of me (even when I felt like a failure). She made the only cornbread I’d eat (accompanied with lima beans and rice). She bought me a sewing machine for my birthday and always gave me her fabric scraps for my creations. Most of my creative spirit and love of technology stems from her. She always wanted the latest and greatest…even if she couldn’t use it.

I’ve lost family while away from home before. This one is different though. One goal was to always have my business get to a peak, comfortable level so I could go full time and visit family more often. That day will still come…but it won’t be the same.

Grief is weird. One minute you’re doing great and the next you’re in deep reflection or sadness. But I know my grandma wouldn’t want me to sit around and mourn for too long. Being around family I’ve not seen in years was refreshing and encouraging. And as my cousin preached, “There’s still work to be done.” Grandma started it and it is now time for us to finish it.

So…this is the first step in moving forward. Posting my face.

Hi world. I look forward to getting back to work to show you what I've been working on.

Photo taken by Juliana Tomlinson Photography

04/15/2019

I've been working and working for the past few weeks, but I am thankful for moments of rest and moments to enjoy the present with my favorite humans under the cherry blossoms.

04/05/2019

My season officially kicks off tomorrow (even though I've had sessions throughout the winter), and I'm so excited to capture beautiful stories for amazing people in warmer weather!

Fun fact: I chose my wedding work shoes based on the shoes I teach in. If you know anything about teachers, we are constantly moving quickly, up on our feet, and corralling large groups of people. I was adamantly against flats until I found my dream shoe that didn't leave my feet crying after the reception! *insert angelic choir here* If a shoe can handle a 10-12 hour school day with my middle schoolers, I know it can handle any wedding thrown at it. 💪🏾