Member Spotlight: Taranita Costales
Taranita Costales, CMC Co-Director
What is your favorite thing about Camera of the Month Club?
I’ve been a member of Camera of the Month Club for 7 years now, and for the past few years, I’ve had the honor of serving as a co-director. One thing that’s remained consistent for me throughout those years is the feeling of being part of a true community. It’s more than just a collective of photographers—it’s a group of people who inspire, support, and challenge one another to grow.
What I love most is the way CMC has brought together such a diverse group of individuals who all share the same passion for storytelling through photography. Every meeting feels like a safe space to share new work and ideas. I've made lasting friendships, witnessed artistic growth (including my own), and felt the joy of celebrating others' successes.
As a director, it’s been especially rewarding to help shape this community—whether it’s organizing events, managing social media or curating shows. Seeing the impact CMC has on both seasoned and emerging photographers reminds me why I first joined all those years ago. It’s truly something special.
Is there a particular theme or subject that captivates you the most in your photography? If so, what is it, and what draws you to it? If not, what do you typically focus on in your work, and why?
For some time, I struggled to define my photography. Was I a portrait photographer? A fashion photographer? An editorial photographer?
As I reflected on my work, I realized there was one consistent theme: my focus on people. That realization felt right to me, and now, when people ask about my specialty, I simply say, “I photograph people”.
What draws me to photographing people is the opportunity to connect, create, and memorialize them through the magic of a camera. I aim to capture the authenticity of each person, often with a touch of creativity and a subtle, fashion-inspired twist. Many of my photos feature urban environments, partly because of their accessibility but also as a tribute to the city that nurtured my passion for photography.
At its core, my work is about celebrating individuality and telling stories through the people I photograph.
Could you share 3-5 images from your most recent project or photo series you’re particularly proud of? We'd love to hear the story behind these works and what inspired the project.
These are some of my favorite images from my last shoot of 2024. I was comissioned by a mother agent to do a test shoot with an emerging model from Philly that she represents.The model and I had a blast talking and shooting this street style editorial. It was a great shoot to wrap up the year with. Good vibes.
Any new projects or goals on the horizon for 2025?
I definitely have a few in mind. I’ve done many unpaid test shoots to build my portfolio up over the last five years. 2024 was the year I turned the corner with my photography – I set my rate and got paid for 90% of the projects/jobs I shot. A big accomplishment for me. My first objective is to to continue that momentum this year.
Secondly, I’ve been sitting on a personal project about Hispanic/Latino/a identity in the United States for years and I’d like to finally get that moving.
My third goal is to push the theme of authenticity by working with more of a range of models/subjects from age, ability, body shape, etc. Oh, and I’d also like to get back into creating short fashion films, too — so I guess that’s the fourth!
Lots of creativity to look forward too this year, but most importantly, growth!