People may know Tezza Barton as a photographer, as she has spent over a decade as a commercial photographer and amassing a loyal following of over 1.2 million on Instagram due to her work with brands such as Longchamp, Chloe, Fendi, Gucci Beauty, David Yurman, and Michael Kors.
However she is also a musician, mother, and entrepreneur. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, the multi-talented creator together with her husband Cole Herrmann created TEZZA, a photo and video editing app that has captured the hearts of content creators and photo enthusiasts since its launch in 2018. With the mantra “The Art of Life”, the app and its vibrant community embrace the belief that everyone can tap into their creative potential and express themselves through visual storytelling. With 25M downloads to date, TEZZA provides users with vintage-inspired editing tools that are user-friendly and intuitive, making it the preferred app for top creators and beyond.
From her residence in California where she shares with her husband, daughter Coco Rose, and another child on the way, Tezza Barton tells us the story of how she got to where she is, how she balances her daily life and her vision for the future.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Firstly, where did the idea for “TEZZA” come from? Why photos, why photo editing, and how did the brand progress into an app?
TEZZA BARTON: Photography has been a significant part of my life since I was 15. Initially drawn to fashion design, I discovered the power of storytelling through photography while capturing images of my own clothing creations. It felt as if I could touch all of the senses at once through a single image.
I began exploring different kinds of work, shooting album covers for bands, working for any fashion or lifestyle brand that would hire me, shooting weddings, portraits, anything and everything, I was captivated. I found early on I had a unique way of storytelling and inspiring others to find their inner artist and push their creativity. This all happened as platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Blogger, and Pinterest were all launching and I immediately started posting my work online. It was such an amazing era, I was able to build an online portfolio while creating a community inspired by my work at the same time.
Many years later I moved to NYC and that’s when things really took off. My work started to explode on Instagram. I was focused on feeding that community of people who shared a love creating and wanting to hone in on their own photography skills and create their own aesthetic.
I did everything from writing a book called InstaStyle which was about how to take better images and work with brands, to selling art prints, to creating online courses for editing mostly catered toward the “pro photographer”. But there was always something missing, a large group of hungry creatives who wanted something easier, something better than what was out there, something they could relate to that was easy to use on their phone.
Luckily my husband, Cole, is an app developer, and so we thought let’s give it a shot and try to build a photo editing app together. We designed and built the whole thing, just the two of us, and launched it out of our tiny little studio NYC apartment. It was red, bold, loud and had a feminine flair that was severely lacking in the photo editing space at the time.
It immediately caught on with the totally new and novel “creator economy”. There were so many people entering the social media space wanting to create and post beautiful content that didn’t need something as professional as what was available during the time. We felt like we could really help people access beautiful, professional tools but in a fun, easy, new way.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: You’ve done a beautiful job showcasing your life through photography and building a business surrounding the art of photography. Why is photography so powerful and important to you, and how has it impacted your life overtime?
TEZZA BARTON: I have always thought about photography like music. Both photography and music are universal, powerful languages that allow humans to connect. They transcend words and speak directly to our emotions, enabling us to feel and experience something intangible yet profoundly real. Photography reminds me of special moments, evokes a sense of nostalgia, and inspires me to see the world in a new way.
It’s about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary and making the impossible feel possible. Through photography, I can tell the stories I’ve always wanted to share. It’s allowed me to merge my love for fashion, storytelling, and creativity into a career that continuously challenges and inspires me. It’s an ever-evolving art form that keeps me passionate and connected to the world around me.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: It’s incredible to see the community you’ve built and the audience you’ve been able to reach. How does it feel knowing the massive, nationwide reach that you have? When was your “I’ve made it” moment?
TEZZA BARTON: Well it feels surreal to say the least! Sometimes I really can’t believe it. I feel incredibly lucky. It really hits me if I’m walking around a city like New York or Paris and somebody comes up to me and says they not only like my work but also use my app to edit and create. It’s a really special experience and something I do not take for granted, it’s an honor to be a little part of so many people’s creative journey. And honestly I don’t know if I’ll feel like “I’ve made it”. There’s still so much I want to do, I find creative inspiration everyday and will always be pursuing something.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Congratulations on your second pregnancy! What has being a mother taught you and how has motherhood impacted and influenced your life and your business?
TEZZA BARTON: Being a mother has taught me countless lessons—it’s truly a beautiful journey. One profound impact it’s had on my life is reigniting that innocent, pure childhood joy within me. Witnessing my little one’s excitement over simple pleasures like blooming flowers, balloons, the beach, or a beautiful bird reminds me daily of life’s preciousness and the beauty all around us.
On a business level, motherhood has made me more mindful of time management and prioritization. It’s inspired me to streamline my work processes and focus on what truly matters, making sure I have quality time for my family.
I remember the fear I used to have when I was first approaching motherhood, how would I find time to be there for my family and feel the space to be creative. I have learned there is no magical answer, it’s challenging yet incredibly rewarding. I aim to set an example to my daughter and future children, showing them the importance of pursuing dreams, working hard, and loving life every single day.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Your California home is stunning. Since creativity is at the forefront of everything you do, would you consider homemaking to be another passion of yours?
TEZZA BARTON: Absolutely. I love creating a beautiful space where people feel comfortable, inspired, and alive. It’s something I’m incredibly passionate about and always working on. My husband and I work from home as well, so not only do we want our space to be a place where we can host and entertain, but it also needs to be a source of creative inspiration. We’re always filling it with new art, music, scents and experiences. It’s a never ending project that I love working on.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Everyone wants to know, what is your day to day life like and how do you handle it all, i.e motherhood, business, etc.?
TEZZA BARTON: My day-to-day life is a beautiful whirlwind of creativity, family, and business. I have my non-negotiables that I make sure to fit in no matter what and I would say that is what keeps me balanced. Simple things as in finding time for a walk whether it’s 5 miles or 15 minutes, sharing a cup of coffee with my husband or putting my face in the sun for a few minutes. My mornings are dedicated to my daughter, ensuring she feels loved and supported as she starts her day. It’s all about balance and being present in those precious moments.
Running a business and being a creative means no two days are the same. Some days I’m on set for a photoshoot, collaborating with brands I love, or brainstorming new content ideas. Other days are spent behind the scenes, managing the business aspects, working with my incredible team, and planning future projects. It’s a constant juggle, but I thrive on the creativity and the ever-evolving nature of my work.
Balancing motherhood and business requires a great deal of organization and support. I had the privilege of growing up watching my mother build her business from the ground up, and she imparted two invaluable lessons to me.
First, passion is paramount. It is the driving force that sustains you through the most challenging and demanding moments, and it is what you will rely on most to keep your company thriving. Second, the way you treat people and the environment you cultivate around you are crucial. These elements create the foundation for longevity in your career, fostering a nurturing and supportive atmosphere that encourages growth and resilience.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Your husband is your business partner. How important is family to you and how do you navigate being married to your Co-Founder?
TEZZA BARTON: Balancing marriage with being co-founders and business owners has become second nature to us after so many years. We are deeply passionate about what we do, so even discussions about work during date nights feel like an extension of our shared joy and creativity.
Our journey began over 12 years ago when we discovered a mutual creative spark, which has since evolved from blogging and playing in a band to launching several businesses and now, building a family together. It’s incredibly fulfilling to merge our individual passions and create something meaningful.
As our family continues to grow, we’ve learned the importance of setting boundaries. Previously, we dedicated seven days a week to content creation, but now, weekends are sacred for family time. Throughout the week, we also carve out moments to fully disconnect from work and focus solely on each other and our children.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: You are such an empowering figure for women, showing them that they can have it all and do it all as a wife, mother, female founder, and serious business woman. How have you managed to achieve and maintain this balance?
TEZZA BARTON: Thank you, that’s an incredibly kind thing to say and something I don’t take lightly! I’ve met so many amazing women who do it all. I feel lucky to be in such good company.
Balance is so tricky, and it ebbs and flows. There have been chapters in my life where I feel like I’m working 24/7, barely having time for a social life. Then I’ve had moments where I feel like something is missing and I need to take on a new project.
Right now I feel like I’ve been able to balance it all fairly well, and part of that is having kids. It’s really just forced me to be ruthless with my time. I’m more efficient when I’m working and focussed on what matters most so I can spend as much time with my daughter as I can. Another key factor has been surrounding myself with a supportive network—whether it’s uplifting friends, a supportive partner, or an organized assistant. No one can do it all alone, and having the right people around me has made a world of difference.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: As someone who has been in the industry for over a decade, how have you continued to grow and achieve success despite the many trends that come and go? How do you ensure you’re remaining authentic to yourself and in alignment with your core values?
TEZZA BARTON: One question I always try to ask myself is “what am I giving?”. It’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing the latest trend to maintain relevance, but I’ve found if I’m giving something – information, inspiration, a place to learn and grow creatively – then relevancy will follow.
I’ve always cared about creativity, photography, art and self expression, and as long as my presence on social media reflects those values and I’m able to give what I’ve learned back to my community, then I know I’m maintaining my authenticity and the whole reason I got into all of this in the first place.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Your style has undoubtedly contributed to your growth as a creator and you’ve worked with almost every major luxury fashion brand. How do you utilize fashion to express yourself, both in your personal life and professional life?
TEZZA BARTON: I have loved fashion for as long as I can remember. Your clothes are oftentimes the first thing someone notices about you, and being able to play with how I present myself to the world is an art form on its own. I played in a band for many years and I absolutely loved going above and beyond with the outfits I wore on stage, it really helped me step into character and take on the aura of a rockstar.
I take a lot of that with me on the day to day. There are no rules, it’s all about what you feel confident in and what’s speaking to you that day. I can go from bohemian California girl, to city mom on the go, to chic and put together business woman all in the same week. And then what I wear is only half of the story, I love capturing clothes and people and telling stories through photography. Fashion and photography and so intertwined for. Yes fashion is functional, but it’s also a way to tell a story.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: TEZZA is truly a self-made business and empire. With a global fan base, what’s coming in 2024 and 2025 that your community can look forward to?
TEZZA BARTON: Community is everything at TEZZA. We feel so lucky to have such an involved userbase who are with us every step of the way, guiding us in which features we build and supporting us with sharing how they edit and what inspires them. We are working on some really exciting features that will highlight and empower the TEZZA community within the app that we can’t wait to share!
**Team Credits**
MUSE: Tezza Barton @tezza.barton
PHOTOGRAPHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR:
Cole Herrmann @cole_herm
Tezza Barton @tezza.barton
Tyson French @tyfrench
PRODUCTION:
Blue Jeans Public Relations @bluejeanspublicrelations
Rachel Granger @rachgrang
HAIR STYLIST: Luca Burnett @delucaloco
MAKEUP ARTIST: Tezza Barton @tezza.barton
WARDROBE STYLIST: Tezza Barton @tezza.barton
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
