We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tehlor Takahata a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Tehlor thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?
My best friend Emma is one of my biggest influences today– a mentor and great friend. My high school friend Shaienne introduced us a handful of years ago when I wasn’t exactly sure of who I was or where I was going and today. I’m constantly learning new things from her and that’s one of the things I respect most about her: she’s ever-changing, growing, and evolving into her best self. I aspire to be like her in every way good— kind, uplifting, and faithful. You can see the love she has for Jesus overflow from her cup into other people which is so inspiring, but also challenges people in a way that brings out the best in them, and gives people hope for a better future, knowing they have the control to change their life!
She’s the type of friend who will fill the empty space in a room with cringey dad jokes that honestly never fail to make people laugh I have no idea how hahaha. She relates to people and reminds them no matter how successful she is (and she is!!), that she’s still human and makes mistakes, and that’s ok :) She’s a talented hula dancer and singer and creates absolute magic when on a stage performing with her husband Ronson. Seeing the two of them together as a unit and absolute POWERHOUSE of a couple is so beautiful and models what kind of marriage I aspire to have one day.
Having a friendship like this has made me so grateful over the years to realize I have somebody in my corner who is always rooting for me and has my back, who loves me as I am but will always challenge me to be better, and will lead by example the entire way. Emma has taught me how to truly love like Jesus, loving others anyway and has influenced my journey by always striving to be the best version of herself which continues pulling me to do the same. Everyone needs an Emma in their life :)
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I grew up an island girl from Oahu, Hawaii where I still live today and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown more grateful for growing up here! The culture and true spirit of Aloha Hawaii provides, in my opinion, literally does not compare to anywhere else. I think the people, kindness, and generosity I’ve grown up around had a major role in shaping the person I’ve become today and the start of my photo journey. I guess I can say I’ve loved photography all my life, starting with spontaneous film when I was a child, to doing yearbook and fun (sometimes cringey lol) self projects in middle school, to the beginnings of my business in high school. I was doing grad portraits and photos for my friends in relationships for like $20 or something like that haha, so it’s crazy to see how much I’ve grown!
I studied photo in college in AZ at NAU and got my Bachelor’s degree in Field Photography. It was the first time I’ve been off island on my own and those were super formative years for me that I look back on very fondly today. I graduated when the world basically shut down in 2020 so plans flipped on its head to say the least. I originally was supposed to move to San Diego after graduation but instead moved back home to Hawaii when the pandemic hit and truly believe everything happens for a reason. I continued to work a couple other jobs during this time and still did photography part time booking shoots as much as I could. Eventually though, I started to burn out and lose the joy photography did for me in the beginning and again like I said, I believe everything happens for a reason. Just about that point, I realized it wasn’t my business that was wearing me out, but trying to juggle two other jobs along with it?? SO!— instead of taking a break from photography, I clean quit my jobs and jumped full time into photo and business ownership and decided to just MAKE photography happen for me full time. About a year later, I started taking dipping my toes into the wedding industry and am proud to say I’ve run my business for over a decade and today, am a full time photographer and business owner :)
I specialize in weddings and elopements but also photograph many couples, proposals, families, and individual portraits! I truly believe what sets me apart from others in my industry is who I am as a HUMAN BEING and as a friend. My approach to my photography is to showcase the true you by simply paying. attention. to what’s already in front of me! To let a wedding day unfold as it naturally will in real time. No over-staged posing, no do-overs. Just here and now.
To let a couple truly FEEL and live PRESENT the best day of their life!
To let you be truly you!
To me, it’s about preserving an experience. One that helps you remember just how beautiful your life truly is :)
I aspire to create art and photography for others that make you feel wrapped in a big warm huuuug!! To create art that’s natural, emotional, and authentic. My relationship with Keej, my boyfriend (and bestie in the whole entire world!!), and our pup Boba, truly inspires me everyday to create magic for others like what they make me feel when we are together. Nothing in the world feels better to me than being wrapped in his arms in a big hug, and I truly wish the joy, safety, content, and love I feel from him upon everyone. I guess me creating art through my photography is a way to share that love with others because it is truly magical and makes me so grateful for the life I live today.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
Along with my photo business, I also run a family business in the direct sales market and am so proud of the good work we do to help others through it, even if people don’t understand the market sometimes! When I was in college just about to delve deeper into my photography business, I reconnected with one of my high school classmates and long story short, she was able to introduce me to some amazing people in her life that have become some of my bestest friends today! I pursued them over time, seeing the fruit on their trees and they were always willing to pour into me, help me move forward, and have helped me see what I truly want out of life. Today, I get to pour that same hope and belief into other people- showing them that they are worthy of an amazing life and helping them go get it!!
Today I run these two businesses alongside each other and in the next handful of years aim to make this my full time gig, gaining back my time to start a family and truly be present with the ones I love. As much as I love photography, it is definitely hard work! I’ve realized I don’t want to do it relying on the money it’ll bring it, but because I truly want to give it to others..because I can :) I’m not married and don’t have any kids yet, but when I do one day, I want to have dug my well before I was thirsty and have the true freedom and flexibility to do what I want, when I want, and be able to give to those I love from an overflowing cup!
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
I’ve become an avid reader and personal growth enthusiast over the last five years but only this year realize I’m starting to do the real “heart work” and apply what I’ve been learning! The beginning of this year was a turning point for me, feeling my healing process from the past truly start to take root. A few books that have helped me in my journey with entrepreneurship and growth mindset are Boundaries, Win the Day, and You Are a Badass!
“Boundaries” helped me to set firm boundaries around my work, business, personal life, etc. because I’m somebody who can be easily overwhelmed when there are no lines and routines to keep my head on straight and not let my work control me, but me taking back control over it!
“Win the Day” helped me understand I don’t need to do everything on my to-do list in one day. Often, I think we get overwhelmed or feel like we’re “not doing enough” when we try to jam-pack our day with every single thing we need to do! This is unrealistic and not fair to ourselves. I learned that as long as you go 1-0 everyday and you worked towards being 1% better than you were yesterday, you’re winning. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re doing a great job :)
“You Are a Badass” helped me heal my mindset and stop giving my power away to other people’s opinions! One of my favorite quotes from this book is “other people’s opinions of me is none of my concern”- how good is that?! This opened my eyes and I realized, “yeah, who the heck cares!!” in the best way possible. Whatever other people are thinking about me or what I do are just OPINIONS and their opinions aren’t gonna pay my bills so who cares?!! After reading this, I felt more in touch with who I truly am and started to live more unapologetically me. I’m freakin awesome, whether other people think so or not :) and I’m proud of myself for that. Thanks for being here with me!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tehlortakzphoto.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tehlortakzphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tehlortakzphotoco
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tehlortakzphoto
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tehlortakzphoto
Image Credits
IG: @evierupp, @chelsmeiermedia, @throughkatieslensphotoandfilm, @sheyannelyn