Meet Cedraya Taylor | Christ Representer, Artist and Former Educator

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

Hi Cedraya, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Also don’t be afraid to take constructive criticism or advice from other photographers. Because that’s how your’e going to learn and grow in this business. Taking classes and attending photography seminars are only going to take you so far. Building that community of like minded individuals that were once in your shoes is what adds so much to your success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started off going to school for fashion design. And a couple years in, I knew that wast for me anymore. I took a leap into the event industry as an event coordinator and while in that position working with different vendors, I found my love for photography. I’d like to say I’m a very creative person and my love for painting, drawing and doing DIY’s has really put a lot of things into perspective. My paw-paw was a nature photographer so I knew that I was in the right field. The name Captured Heartbeats was a play on my dad’s battle with congestive heart failure. I didn’t find my love for photography until after he passed but I know he would’ve been my biggest supporter.
There were many trials to over come when I first started out, and I’m still going through hardships business wise almost 3 years later. It’s definitely not an easy shift. Being your own boss and having to keep yourself accountable is he hardest thing. And don’t get me started on having to be your own brand and social media manager. Yikes! But at the end of the day it’s so rewarding to be able to present lifetime memories to your clients

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a friend visiting the DFW, I would show them my favorites go-to spots: I would take them to Chef’s Point in Colleyville (they’re black owned and the have the best southern food and drinks), Maria’s Mexican Kitchen in Fort Worth on University for lunch or dinner for the best Mexican food, Tacos Oasis in Everman (South Fort Worth) for tacos or Tommy Tamales in Keller for some bomb tamales, and either Cake Bar in Trinity Groves or Insomnia Cookies for a sweet treat. I also would suggest going to the AT&T Discovery District in Downtown Dallas for a night stroll and an outside patio. Lastly, I would also show some of my favorite girls night out restaurants: Lexy’s, Paradiso, The Glen, and F1 Smokehouse for some bougie bbq.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
God is my biggest supporter. Might sound cliche but I don’t care. Without my private talks with him I wouldn’t be where I am today. I never got to meet my paw-paw but I found out he was a nature photographer so looking back on his work somewhat molded my current style

Website: www.capturedheartbeatsphotography.mypixieset.com

Instagram: @captured.heartbeats

Facebook: @capturedheartbeats