Tessa Newton is a Dallas-based motherhood photographer known for her deeply intentional work that blends softness, authenticity, and emotional storytelling. Her sessions are centered around light, connection, and a calming presence that helps families slow down and truly feel their memories. At the heart of her visual style is a gentle editing approach—elevated by her use of light and natural presets from Mandy Ford.

These presets give her the consistency and glow she needs across different lighting situations, while still allowing for emotional depth and a true-to-life feel that resonates with the families she serves.

Table of Contents

• Why Tessa Switched to Light and Natural Presets
• Creating Emotionally Honest Edits With Ease
• A Flexible Preset System That Supports Growth
• Support and Community That Evolve With You
• Inside Tessa Newton Photography
• Try the Light and Natural Presets Tessa Trusts

Why Tessa Switched to Light and Natural Presets

Before finding Mandy Ford Presets, Tessa tried just about everything the motherhood photography world had to offer. But nothing ever felt like hers.

“I was at that point where I had tried a bunch of presets that other motherhood photographers were using,” she shares. “They looked nice on their work, but I never felt like they really fit mine.”

She wasn’t looking for trendy or overly edited. She wanted something that felt like real light. Something soft, clean, and natural—but still refined enough to elevate the emotional impact of her sessions.

When she discovered Mandy Ford’s light and natural presets, everything clicked.

“They had this beautiful warmth and calmness to them,” she says. “I applied one to a session and thought, ‘Okay… this is it.’”

Creating Emotionally Honest Edits With Ease

Tessa’s work is deeply rooted in emotion. She isn’t just capturing faces—she’s capturing presence, connection, and the way motherhood feels in a specific moment. That kind of storytelling requires editing that doesn’t distract or overpower the image.

“I like my work to feel soft and peaceful—not blown out or overly bright,” she explains. “These presets help me get that consistent look without stripping away the emotion.”

With light and natural presets, she’s able to maintain the integrity of each scene. Skin tones stay true, and highlights never feel harsh. The edits don’t feel forced—they flow.

It’s exactly what she was looking for: consistency without rigidity. Lightness without loss. A refined finish that still feels real.

A Flexible Preset System That Supports Growth

One of Tessa’s biggest hesitations was the idea of a full preset system. In the past, she had only worked with one-click solutions that didn’t offer much room for adjustment.

But the Mandy Ford system surprised her.

“Honestly, I was a little nervous at first,” she says. “But it ended up being really straightforward.”

With step-by-step workflow guidance, lighting-specific options, and nuanced adjustments, the presets are built to grow with you—not box you in.

“I’m shooting in different lighting constantly,” she adds. “Having that flexibility is huge.”

Tessa found that once she understood how the system worked, editing became significantly faster and more enjoyable. “It’s not just a one-click preset or a few generic choices,” she says. “You can really hone in on your unique editing style.”

Support and Community That Evolve With You

For Tessa, the ongoing support and community access was just as impactful as the presets themselves.

“The Facebook group is full of helpful, encouraging photographers,” she says. “It’s inspiring to see how others use the presets in their own way.”

What she loves most is that there’s no one-size-fits-all outcome. Everyone customizes the system in their own way. It creates a supportive ecosystem of shared learning without comparison.

She also submitted early work for review—something that helped her tailor the presets even more closely to her style. “It was so helpful to see how the presets worked with my specific lighting and approach.”

As updates have rolled out, including the launch of V3 with added depth control, Tessa’s confidence in the system has only grown. “It’s so nice to know the system keeps evolving,” she shares. “You’re investing in something that continues to grow with you.”

Inside Tessa Newton Photography

Tessa Newton Photography is a motherhood and family portrait brand based in Dallas, Texas, serving the DFW area—from McKinney to Fort Worth and beyond. Her work is defined by its softness, honesty, and a deep emotional connection to the families she photographs.

With a BFA in Photography from the Art Institute and nearly a decade of experience working closely with families as a nanny, Tessa’s understanding of motherhood runs deep. She doesn’t just document—it’s her calling to see the beauty in the in-between.

TNP offers a full-service, luxury experience that still feels relaxed and approachable. From helping mamas style their sessions with a curated wardrobe to guiding them through locations and studio options, Tessa’s process is built to remove stress and make space for presence.

Her mission is simple: to create timeless images that remind mothers how deeply loved and seen they are.

To view her work or inquire about a session, visit tessanewton.com or follow along at @tessanewtonphoto.

Try the Light and Natural Presets Tessa Trusts

If you’ve been searching for a preset that reflects your light-filled, honest, and elevated editing style, Mandy Ford’s light and natural presets may be the missing piece.

Tessa Newton uses them for every session—from sun-drenched outdoor family portraits to cozy studio newborn shoots. They give her the ability to work quickly and stay consistent, while keeping her unique perspective intact.

“I get DMs all the time asking what I use to edit,” she says. “And I’m not a gatekeeper—I love raving about Mandy Ford presets.”

Use Tessa’s affiliate code TESSANEWTON at checkout to try the same preset system she relies on—and fall back in love with editing all over again.