About Me

Hi, I’m Tracy!

Shay James Photography Tracy Bielenberg

Let Me Explain

The business is named after my daughter Dezy Shay and my son Dawson James. They are my muses, my heart, my everything, so it's only fitting that they're in my business DNA too. Besides, the alternative would've been Tracy Bielenberg Photography. Bleh.

Pull Up a Chair

There's another “James” in the family who has my heart, too — Toby James — my husband/the menschiest of mensches. After battling with fertility challenges, I do not take my dream family for granted -- or any day for that matter. I left the corporate world to do more of what I love every day. So here we are!

My Story

  • Midlife Crisis

    I spent the first 7 years of my career in media sales with Comcast and the next 7 leading talent acquisition at a media marketing agency. Entrepreneurial spirit is really what drove my growth, and yet somehow starting a business was never on my radar — and neither was photography (I didn’t even own a camera until 2022, at age 36). But, we all know life is too short — the years leading up gave me so many reminders of this — and I just couldn’t shake the feeling. I had to do something more creative and artistic, something challenging and rewarding, something that was actually fun. But what?

  • Self-Reflection

    For years, people told me I should do photography. I’ve always been someone who took time to thoughtfully compose a photo. Who anticipated moments. Who cared about the artistry. And who valued photos; they’re my most treasured possessions. I know many of the photos that are in my parent’s albums from 1986 on because I’ve perused them so many times, and have been creating family albums ever since my kids were born (I use Chatbooks, for those curious).

    Seeing photos displayed in our home makes me happy. And it’s not just me — ask the scientists who claim that there are health benefits associated with a photo-filled home. I digress, but Google it on a rainy day.

  • Inspiration

    It wasn’t until catching up with one of my dearest friends that I decided to buy a camera. A real one. She inspired me in sharing that the business she started had ultimately failed. Of course, I was inspired by her boldness and bravery to start something, but I was even more inspired by her failure, since that is always something that has held me back. If anyone could knock a new business out of the park, it would be her. But sometimes things don’t go as planned, and that’s ok. So, after updating me on her life, she turned to me and said “ughh tell me something good… are you happy?” I told her I wasn’t and why. Then she said “I feel like you should go buy a camera.”

    And I did… the very next day.

  • Happy Ending

    (But it’s only the beginning.)

    I feel so fortunate that I came to this realization and took the leap when I did. The experience I gained in the corporate world taught me SO much and I am lucky to have found amazing mentors and partners — in business and photography. I wake up knowing that I’m spending my time in life the way I want, and I do not take that for granted.

    Without you, I couldn’t do that. So thank you from the bottom of my heart.