We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolyn Taluja and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolyn, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
The most important thing that I have done as a parent is to own my impact. As a mother, I believe that the greatest impact on society I can leave is my children’s living example and the values they propagate. With every path I have followed while navigating my personal career development, I aimed to show my daughters that in every effort, one must be an open channel for joy. Whether I was home after school and assisting them with homework, tutoring a teen student, counseling a client, or out on a photoshoot and sharing an encouraging word with a shy senior, my goal is to be transparent, inspiring and shine a light in the dark areas of the frame.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The quality that sets me apart from other photographers is the relationship that I build with my clients. From the initial consultation stage to the image review, I provide time and space for my clients to feel at ease, ask all the questions they wish, and bring their whole selves to the session. The images that I capture are aimed to bring out the innate beauty of each subject, to highlight the sparkle of joy in their eyes, and to peek into the depth of their character. When photographing a family, my goal is to show the love and relationships that define that family, the fun, quirks, and the energy that comes when a family is together. I enjoy working with all ages because I find that the little ones bring about brilliant spontaneity and the elders shine with wisdom; it’s a gorgeous combination.
I have developed my photography presence through one relationship at a time and through one place at a time. My family has moved quite a bit and the one thing that has remained constant has been my flexibility and openness to all kinds of work. When we lived in San Diego, I orchestrated beach portraits (which are incredible, so any chance that you have to hire a photographer while at the beach – do it!). When we lived in France, I used old alleyways and masterfully laid archways to frame my images. For each place, I would settle in and connect with local families to offer my services. I have learned that if we, as creatives and professionals, are willing to shift and let our work evolve organically, it will grow and serve our clients the way our gift was intended.
I want the world to know that my brand is client-centered and heart-centered. I have shifted my focus in the past two years and completed a master’s program in marriage and family therapy. I was thrilled to discover that taking that time to learn about another one of my passions has enhanced my photography work. Even though I limit the number of photo sessions or events that I will take on per month as a result of the shift, I have found a deeper understanding of my clients through my studies. Not only can I use my photographic vision to capture the beauty that they hold, I have become more adept at capturing their story as well. Whether in the counseling room or behind the camera, I aim to witness and honor every person who seeks my services. Each client is a piece of my story, as I am of theirs.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week with my best friend would truly be a blessing! This is a great question. My homebase is Southlake, so I would have to spend Sunday in Town Square, with it’s fabulous restaurants and wonderful shopping. (If they visited during Christmas time, we would skate too, since we have the skating rink in the center as well! It is magical. Growing up in Western New York State, skating to me is like coming home.) We would have an amazing dinner at Wildwood Grill. They have a great menu and you will notice that my dining options are tailored to my requirement for gluten free eating!
I would spend the other days sharing different parts of the metroplex with them. On day two, three, and four I would take them to Downtown Dallas. We would have to start with a coffee and pastry at the Pinch of Salt Pasteries in Grapevine on the way to the city. The number of pastries is unmatched and the flavors are divine! Then we would make our way to the Bishop Arts District. I adore all of the murals, boutiques and the boho energy of the area. We would have a chance to peruse the bookstore, grab a cutie cocktail and maybe even a little karaoke at the end of the night! Since we are downtown, we would stay at the beautiful Adolphys or Joule hotel (depending on our budget for this week!).
Day two in Dallas would start with a coffee at LaLa Land Kind Café (one of my favorites around the metroplex with a inspiring foundational story) and then on to the Dallas Museum of Art. In the afternoon we would head to the farmers market and then dinner at The Porch on Henderson. This restaurant has a great vibe and the staff is super friendly!
We would start day four at NorthPark Center and then take time to check out the flagship store of Half Price Books. You never know when you find a one-of-a-king collectable or another treasure in that store! We would eat at a light dinner at Flower Child before heading to a Musical production at Fair Park and finishing up the night at Chocolate Secrets on Oak Lawn. Any day that ends in chocolate is a marvelouos day in my book!
We would need a chill day in the middle of the week, so I would book a day to restore and renew at the Corinthians Wellness Spa in Southlake.
This brings us to Friday and a perfect day to head to Fort Worth. Of course, we would have to spend some time at the Kimball Art Museum followed by a coffee down the street at Ampersand. In the afternoon, we would wander around Sundance Square and then dinner at Reata. If we are up for more entertainment, we would grab seats at the improv comedy show, Four Day Weekend. I have seen the show before but it is always fresh and new!
On Saturday, we would spend a slow morning at home and then head back to Fort Worth to spend our final afternoon at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. It has a vast array of natural beauty and I love that the tickets support research at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. Our final dinner together would have to be fun and casual – that calls for Velvet Taco. Now that they have locations around the metroplex, we could stop in downtown or close to home in Grapevine.
Now, I am really hoping I can make this week happen. Looks like I should start saving up now!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my husband, Nick. Without his love and support, I could not pursue my dreams and evolving passions with such vigor.

Website: https://www.carolyntaluja.com

Instagram: @carolyntaluja

Other: Counseling services available at the Well House Group in Southlake (https://www.thewellhousesouthlake.com/about-carolyn-taluja/)

Image Credits
Carolyn Taluja Photography

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