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Sara Garcia is a family photographer with 15 years in the industry, known for work that centers honesty over trend. Over the years, she's learned that longevity isn't about chasing more clients or keeping pace with what's popular. It's about staying a student of her craft, building real trust with the people she photographs and never losing sight of why she picked up a camera in the first place. That trust is built one session at a time, through consistency, genuine care and an experience clients look forward to. This is why so many of her families return year after year, session after session, inviting her to document their lives as they grow and change. Sara will be joining us at TFN 2027 to discuss what actually sustains a career in this industry: not survival but staying true.
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Rashod Taylor attended Murray State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in art with a specialization in Fine Art Photography. Taylor favors traditional and lost format practice of photography, silver prints and wet plate collodion process among them. Taylor’s work uses portraiture to address themes of family, race, culture and legacy. The artist’s photographs are a window into the Black American experience. His photographs are part of the permanent collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture, The Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Taylor has taught numerous workshops at Anderson Ranch Art Center. He has presented lectures at Stanford University, George Washington University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Maine Media Workshop + College, Los Angeles Center of Photography, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, among other venues. The artist is represented by jdc Fine Art and Obscura Gallery and has been included in group and solo shows, respectively. Editorial clients include National Geographic, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, Esquire, ProPublica, among others. His work has also been featured in CNN, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Forbes, Hulu, Buzzfeed News, Black & White Magazine, Feature Shoot and Lenscratch.
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Lila Gray Smyth is a photographer, storyteller and creative business coach based in San Francisco. Through Lila Gray Photography, she creates strategic, story-focused imagery for women-owned businesses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, helping entrepreneurs communicate who they are with honesty and intention.
As a coach, Lila works with photographers to build businesses that align with the work they want to create and the lives they want to lead. Known for translating overwhelming business challenges into clear, actionable next steps, she combines practical strategy with a deep understanding of storytelling, relationships and sustainable business strategies.
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Marilyn Díaz Norris is a storyteller through photographs. Inspired by light, nature and a wondering curiosity.
Born and raised in the Central Valley of California in a small farm town, she often stretches across the state to photograph families, lovers, mothers, and everything in between. With 14 years under her belt, she’s found a rhythm of creating a safe space to allow her subjects to be their truest self in front of her lens. With a background in theatre and improv, Marilyn intertwines creativity, a collaborative spirit and presence into every frame.
Proudly Mexican and a descendant of immigrants, Marilyn has consistently created work which celebrates women, motherhood and diversity. Her work is always evolving alongside her personal life, with her children being her biggest inspiration. She is a firm believer that taking photographs goes beyond the camera, it’s the connection between her and her clients that bring the images to life.
Marilyn with husband Patrick, children Margot and Benji balance family, photography and theatre with a life full of what they lovingly refer to as creative chaos.
Posy Quarterman and Jenna Elliott are the matriarchs of the family, keeping it all together, putting the metaphorical food on the table and calling a family meeting when necessary.