Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Megan Torres. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Megan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry?
Corporate America often treats photography as a commodity rather than a craft and artform—focusing on volume, uniformity, and speed over artistry, cultural relevance, and personal connection. In doing so, they miss the opportunity to tell real, resonant stories that move people and build brand loyalty.
One example: A corporate client once hired me after previously working with a large agency that delivered technically “perfect” headshots—but every photo looked stiff, generic, and disconnected. Their team felt unseen. When I stepped in, I spent time with each person, learning their role and personality, and crafting images that reflected who they were—not just what they did. One executive later told me, “This is the first photo where I actually see myself.” That project led to increased internal morale and the client licensing additional imagery for branding campaigns.
Why does this matter? Because when corporations overlook the humanity in visual storytelling, they lose the power of connection. Great photography isn’t about the shutter click—it’s about trust, perspective, and honoring the subject’s story. That’s what I bring to every frame.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m M. Torres (Torres for short) — Mother, photographer, creative consultant, and founder of Torres Fine Art Photography Studios and Torres & Co., based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
My journey into photography began with a fascination not just for light and composition, but for legacy. I wanted to create visual records that could stand the test of time—not just images, but stories. Stories that hold on to the resolute impact of the subject in that particular space and time, be that industrial spaces or legacy imagery. That desire led me to develop a practice I now call Heirloom Imagery—artfully crafted portraits and brand visuals that honor identity, celebrate culture, and elevate purpose.
At Torres Fine Art, I work with individuals, families, creatives, and organizations to co-create imagery that feels like a reflection of truth—not performance. Whether I’m documenting a mother in her most powerful season, curating visual narratives for mission-driven entrepreneurs, or collaborating with nonprofits to tell their stories with integrity, my approach is rooted in deep listening and visual care. This isn’t just portraiture—it’s heirloom imagery.
Through Torres & Co., my consulting and culturally strategic revenue branch, I support fellow creatives and businesses with strategic tools—offering culturally intelligent branding, workflow refinement, and publishing support. My goal is to help others grow sustainable, aligned brands that reflect who they truly are.
What sets me apart is the emphasis on connection. My work is not about churning out content (or even having it seen all over and recognized as mine)—it’s about creating art that resonates for years to come for individuals and brands that value themselves. Heirloom Imagery isn’t trendy; it’s timeless. And the people I work with don’t just walk away with photographs—they walk away feeling seen.
I’m especially proud of contributing to cultural publications, community arts projects, and poetry anthologies that spotlight voices from the margins. My images have been exhibited at the Tulsa International Airport, featured in books, and commissioned by organizations doing transformative work. In both of our businesses we integrate cultural fluency, lived experience, and design-thinking to craft personalized pathways to growth.
If you’re looking for a collaborator who brings artistry, empathy, and excellence to every step of the creative process, I’d love to connect. This work isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am—and we turn that into strategic advantage.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
A Story of Resilience:
Resilience in my journey has often meant moving forward when the answer is no—not out of stubbornness, but out of deep belief in the work and who it’s for.
One of the most defining moments came with Empire of Missed Chances, a photography and literary project rooted in identity, gender fluidity, and the stories we inherit—or are denied. I submitted the concept for regional and local arts funding, including a proposal to the Center for Contemporary Arts in Santa Fe. The vision was clear. The intention was bold. But the response? A rejection.
It stung—not just because of the “no” (or even the amount of money we put into this project and it’s submissions), but because I knew the work mattered. I had two choices: let it sit quietly in a folder to die whilst scratching at the back of my brain or to bring it back to the people it was made for. I chose the latter.
We returned to our Tulsa community, reworked the pitch, and made space for local collaborators. What emerged was even more powerful—a self-published first volume that sold out its initial print run, supported by artists, writers, community members, and readers who saw themselves in the work. We didn’t wait for a gatekeeper to say yes; we built our own table, and our people showed up!
That project taught me that validation doesn’t always come from institutions. Sometimes, it comes from the community that surrounds you—people who believe in the story, the vision, and the impact. It reminded me that being overlooked by the system doesn’t mean your work isn’t essential. It means you might be pioneering something the system isn’t ready for.
Community building is central to Peacekeeping—the final phase of Empire of Missed Chances. In 2024, we simultaneously published Volumes 2 & 3 with a reprint of Volume 1 PLUS a collectors edition publication, marking the completion of the series! Volume 3, The Book of Young Myths, is an anthology featuring 18 poetic voices from Tulsa’s 2SLBGTQIA+ community. Coedited by Zhenya and Tulsa-based poet Quinn Carver Johnson—whose work was recently shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award in LGBTQIA+ Poetry—this volume serves as both a cultural archive and a creative call to action.
The dual release was more than a publication milestone—it was a community celebration. Writers performed at launch events, readers showed up in force, we had a dancer from Ballet Folklorico Tierra Mestiza come for a collaborative reading of La Tejuana from Volume 2, and local support helped fund not only printing and publication costs but also direct support to contributors. Empire of Missed Chances became a movement rooted in visibility, healing, and collective authorship—proof that when traditional doors close, community builds new ones.
We’ve been told “no” more times than I can count—but we’re still here after a decade, still creating, and still honoring stories that deserve to be seen and remembered.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Community has always been the foundation—not just of my business model, but of my identity as an artist and collaborator.
I didn’t build my reputation by chasing trends, posting about myself on socials, or positioning myself as the “expert in the room.” I built it by showing up with integrity, listening deeply, caring for the stories brought forward to me, and creating work that honors the people it’s made for.
In photography, that’s meant offering heirloom imagery that reflects the lived realities, dreams, and complexities of my clients while providing them with tangelable – eco-friendly- long lasting heirlooms. Whether I’m working with a single mother, a small business owner, a mid-large sized industry leader, or a nonprofit doing mission-driven work, I approach every project with the same core question: How can I serve your story with care and clarity?
What set me apart early on—and continues to—was a willingness to stay rooted. I didn’t leave Tulsa to find opportunity; I invested in it here. I built relationships before trying to “scale.” I collaborated with other creatives. I made space for voices that are often excluded from the mainstream. And I used rejection not as a setback but as a redirection toward deeper alignment.
That community-first mindset has opened doors to exhibitions, publications, and partnerships—but more than anything, it’s created trust. And in the creative world, trust is everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://torresfineart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torresfineart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torresfineart/
Image Credits
Torres Fine Art Photography Studios Ltd Co.