Let's start this off with I’m terrible with writing so bear with me. Hi I’m Tori, owner of Tori Belle Photography. I'm originally from a town in San Diego, California called Lakeside, it's a small town but in a big city feel. I was only 30 minutes away from the beach. We had a small rodeo which I would make sure to go every year. I grew up horseback riding, my mom's best friend had horses and would take me trail riding which then lead me to doing lessons for barrel racing. I then became a teenager and liking horses in California wasn't “cool" so I lost touch with riding but the love for rodeos and horses always remained. I then found myself in the vet assisting field after high school and cosmetology school and instead of doing my internship at a vet office I worked at a farm with goats and horses and found that passion again. I then got married and we found a ranch that helped veterans and first responders and I started riding a little bit after hours and working for the owner in the office. I took a step back when I found out I was pregnant. We then we lived for a short time in Tennessee where I was very lost and had an infant. I moved back to California with my mom and son and that's when all 3 moved to Texas. I now live in a small town Abilene, Texas and love it! Texas is exactly where I'm supposed to be. 

In my everyday life I'm a single mama to a wild and feral little cowboy. Being a single mama was definitely not on my bingo card but I wouldn't trade it for the world! He is hell on wheels and definitely keeps me young! In Abilene there's not a whole lot to do but there is a zoo and we love to go and feed the giraffes. He also comes to rodeos when they are local. He's a big animal guy!

Growing up a 90’s kid there was always a video camera any time there was a major life accomplishment. My mom was an avid scrapbooker so most early memories my mom had a camera in her hand. It really started with her dad though, my papa, he was a wildlife photographer and wood worker. My papa was my best friend and always the cheerleader in my corner. We are both very artistic so we had that in common. He would teach me everything when it came to editing and using his camera which I still have. 

I really am grateful that my path in life has led me here! When you become a mom you become very invested in the needs of your baby and everyone around you that you forget about yourself. I also went through postpartum and really lost who I was; photography has given me that back and it really has become my therapy. 

If you are still reading this thank you! If you want or need to know anything else feel free to ask! I have big goals and rodeos on my list! I look forward to working with you, I put my heart and soul into each and every session I shoot and each one of my clients mean more to me than they will ever know. Without you, my dreams wouldn’t be coming true!

Thank You Again!

Xoxo Tori Belle