Meet Malae Talley | Photographer & Owner

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

Hi Malae, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from a small town called Spanish Fork, Utah! I lived in Utah for most of my life up until two years ago when we moved to Texas. I am the oldest of four and have very supportive and loving parents. I have to attribute so much of where I am and who I am today from my family. My Dad especially has always had a deep love of creating – whether it be music, art, visuals, you name it! Our parents enabled us to create at a young age and encouraged us to find our own mediums and creative tools.

Throughout my upbringing I was introduced to so many ways to express myself creatively and I am forever grateful for that. Ultimately, I landed on a huge love for visual arts. I was a graphic designer for awhile until I decided to try my hand at photography. Once I did, it felt extremely natural to me and unlocked a big part of how I wanted to express myself. I was able to show the world how I saw the world and show people how I saw them. What a gift!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Moving to Texas made me realize a lot about my business. In some ways, I was starting my business over completely from scratch. Locations, clients, climate – everything was completely different. I had to really hone in to what I was drawn to and what I wanted to continue to retain from my brand.

I’ve always loved making my work feel whimsical, warm, relaxed and cozy. I like adding elements into my photos for that extra whimsical factor, whether it be a distant moon, extra glowy sun flare, or majestic skies. It has always been so much more than taking photos for me. I like to take an artful approach that places my clients in unique story-telling locations that honors the essence and authenticity of my clients.

The sweetest moments are captured in the midst of the chaos, and that’s where I thrive. My ideal session approach is creating a slow-paced, calm experience that brings the focus to my clients. I believe this captures the most genuine vibes without any stiff posing or forced smiles.

Staying true to yourself and your style doesn’t mean staying stagnant. You should allow your style and grow and change along with you and THAT is where I believe the true magic is. Giving your business your best, authentic self will only make your brand stronger.

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?
Oooh, this is a fun one.

Galveston is so close that it has to be a top choice for me. It’s such a quirky island with fascinating history. Nick’s Beach Bar has the best bacon-wrapped stuffed shrimp that I’ve ever had. The Spot has the perfect beach vibe and fun atmosphere that is a must see. Also Cajun Greek has a fusion of cajun and greek (shocking, right?) menu that I never knew I needed. Lastly, aside from the visiting the beach, check out the ferry and dolphin tours!

The Woodlands Waterway Square is so fun for the night scene crowd. Live bands, beautiful surroundings and great eats! Take a kayak, boat, or even swan boat on the waterway and take in the beautiful forest surrounding you.

You can spend another entire day at the Houston Zoo, which is one of the most beautiful zoos I have ever seen. And what is a trip to space city without spending a day at NASA? Interactive museums and experiences that are unique to Houston are must-see’s. The Color Factory and Seismique are some of the best. Get some Torchy’s Tacos while you are downtown and get the queso!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Clay, has been with me every step of the way of building my business. He has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and into some serious personal and business growth. He supports my dreams, aspirations and goals. Clay has seen my vision and pushed me farther than I thought possible. He helps me find balance in my life with our three little girls which has made all the difference in the world. I am forever grateful for his support and help me become the best version of myself.

Website: www.malaetalley.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/malaetalleyphoto

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/malae-talley

Facebook: www.facebook.com/malaetalleyphoto