The Faces Nashville Trusts: Photographing the WSMV 4 News Team
Day in and day out, Nashville wakes up, checks in, and turns to these faces. Not just during storms, but during breaking news, major events, and all those everyday moments that matter.
I’ve been a huge fan of WSMV 4 for nearly 17 years. They are the only news team I watch. So getting the opportunity to work with them again to update their anchor photos, headshots, and marketing imagery was such a joy. Photographing a team you already trust and admire adds a whole other layer of meaning to the work.
Photographing a newsroom is never just about standing still and smiling. It’s about capturing trust, chemistry, and the kind of confidence viewers feel the moment they turn on the TV.
Planning with Purpose: Confidence, Credibility, and Warmth
Before the team ever steps in front of the camera, a lot of intentional planning happens behind the scenes. We arrived early to walk through the space, think through the shots, and test lighting so that once everyone stepped out, we were ready to move efficiently and respectfully with their time.
As a Nashville Commercial Photographer, I am always thinking about how images will live beyond one moment on set. These photos need to work across platforms, seasons, and stories, while still feeling timeless and authentic.
For lighting, I used my Profoto D2 and Profoto B10X paired with large umbrellas to create a soft, flattering look that could shift depending on the moment. Some images leaned brighter and more open, while others carried a bit more depth and mood, all while maintaining consistency across the set. Using large umbrellas allowed the light to wrap softly while still holding structure, which is especially important for teams who need to look polished but approachable on camera.
The goal is always balance. News teams must project confidence and credibility, but they also need to feel human and relatable. With this team, that balance came naturally. They genuinely embody all of it, which made the process seamless.
One Studio, Many Teams, One Tight Timeline
From there, we moved throughout the studio capturing the different teams that bring news to Nashville at various times of day. The morning team, the 4 p.m. team, the weather team, and others throughout the newsroom.
Because this is an active, on air studio, timing was everything. We had roughly an hour and a half to capture a large volume of images before the space needed to transition back to live broadcasts.
I cannot say enough about how professional and efficient this team was. They moved quickly, stayed flexible, and worked with us seamlessly so we could capture what we needed while respecting the demands of a working newsroom. That level of teamwork is what makes a shoot like this possible.
Individual Headshots and Portraits Built for Versatility
In addition to the group images, we also created updated individual headshots and full body portraits. These images serve as their primary headshots, while the full body portraits can be used either as full length images or cropped down for half body needs in group composites and marketing layouts.
As a Nashville Headshot Photographer, my goal with images like these is always versatility and longevity. Capturing clean, confident headshots alongside full body portraits gives teams flexibility across platforms, uses, and future design needs.
To keep the process efficient, I designed the lighting so we could quickly move between headshots and full body portraits. The only adjustment between setups was adding or removing the Westcott Eyelighter for the tighter headshots. For the full body portraits, we used two umbrellas along with a reflector to bounce light back in and ensure everything stayed evenly lit from head to toe.
You can see this setup clearly in the behind the scenes footage, which shows just how streamlined the process was.
Behind the Scenes: The Humans Behind the Headlines
Some of my favorite moments from the day happened between the posed shots. Laughter at the anchor desk, quick resets, inside jokes, and those in between moments where everyone relaxed just enough to be themselves.
These behind the scenes moments matter. They show the humanity behind the professionalism and the relationships that allow a newsroom to function smoothly under pressure.
One of those moments includes me stepping in front of the camera with the team, which felt full circle after years of watching them and then getting to create alongside them. These are the moments that remind me why I love what I do, because great photos come from people feeling comfortable, trusted, and seen.
A Full Circle Moment
Working with the entire WSMV 4 news team again was truly an honor. From planning through execution, this shoot was a reminder of why I love working with Nashville based teams who show up every single day to serve their community.
These images are just one part of a much bigger story that continues daily on air, and I am incredibly grateful to have played a role in capturing this chapter.
Photographer: Tausha Dickinson // @taushadickinson
Photographer Assistant: Anthony Romano // @anthonyromanocreative
HMUA: Madison Hardy Dennis for Lydia, Tracy, Jasmine
HMUA: Jessica Candage for Lauren and Lisa
HMU Touchups on set: Nissi Lee
GEAR USED FOR THIS PHOTO SHOOT:
Canon R5
Canon RF 24-105
Photek 46” Umbrella
Photek 60” Umbrella
Godox AD200
Profoto D2
Profoto B10x Plus
Kupo Stand
Godox S-Bracket
***affiliate disclosure***
FAQ SECTION: WSMV 4 News Team Photoshoot in Nashville
1) What is commercial photography for a news team?
Commercial photography for a news team focuses on creating brand-consistent images used for on air promotions, digital platforms, press features, and marketing. The photos need to communicate credibility and confidence while still feeling human and relatable.
2) What types of photos does a TV news team need?
Most news teams need updated group images, individual headshots, and full body portraits for marketing layouts and composite group designs. These assets are used across web, social media, broadcast graphics, and station promotions.
1) Why capture both headshots and full body portraits?
Headshots are the primary “hello” image for each person, while full body portraits provide flexible options for marketing design and group composites. Full body images can also be cropped for half body use, giving the station more versatility without additional shoot time.
4) How do you photograph a large team in an active studio?
It starts with pre-production and arriving early to test lighting and map out shots before the studio gets busy. During the shoot, everything is structured to move quickly so the space can return to live broadcast use on schedule.
5) How long does a newsroom team photoshoot usually take?
For a full team with multiple groupings and individual portraits, sessions are often scheduled in a tight window, sometimes around 60–90 minutes in the studio space. The exact timing depends on how many teams, setups, and final deliverables are needed.
6) What lighting works best for professional headshots and team photos?
Soft, controlled lighting creates a polished look while keeping skin tones flattering and natural. Large umbrellas are especially helpful because they wrap light smoothly while maintaining shape and structure in the face.
7) Who photographed the WSMV 4 news team in Nashville?
Tausha Dickinson, a Nashville Commercial Photographer, photographed updated team images, headshots, and marketing portraits for the WSMV 4 news team in Nashville. The goal was cohesive, professional imagery that still feels warm and approachable.
8) Do you offer commercial photography and headshots in Nashville for other teams too?
Yes. Tausha Dickinson works as a Nashville Advertising Photographer and Nashville Headshot Photographer for businesses, brands, and teams that need cohesive, professional imagery for marketing and communications.
