It's only natural that we publish this special issue highlighting social media influencers. After all, Best of Dallas® is his OG of local influencers. For decades, we've been giving our readers input on where to find the best things in Dallas. So we know and respect the enormous amount of creativity and effort that goes into tracking what's new, what's popular, and what's happening under the radar on the big sites. D. Then, deliver that information to your followers in new and interesting ways.
That's why we often rely on influencers, readers, and contributors to keep an eye on the city. Over the past few Best of Dallas issues, one of the people we've relied on the most to keep things vibrant and looking great is creative director and photographer Cathy Tran ( @kathytranx)
What is the meaning of that work? It's really simple, for us anyway… Every year, observer The staff selects the theme for the Best of Dallas issue and hands it to art director Sarah Schumacher, and in recent years to Tran and her team (@kathytran.creatives). Make us look good, we tell them. Somehow, they are.
The theme for 2021 was “Roaring '20s,” and Tran and his friends arranged costumes, models, and locations to create a speakeasy atmosphere. 2022 was “Space Cowboys” (not saying the themes were all good by any means). The team found his creative ability to create a sci-fi/western atmosphere. For 2019's “Party With Pegasus,” his partner and writer Daniel Rocky posed for photos in the August heat wearing an all-red Pegasus costume. (I'm so glad that didn't kill you, Daniel.)
Tran is observer and other publications about 10 years ago, her work has caught the attention of other outlets and companies in need of great creative content. Her food photography is still her “bread and butter,” she says. No joke, her business has blossomed far beyond that. Operating under the rubric Kathy Tran Creatives (kathytran.com), she has expanded her brand and currently employs six members of her staff. In recent months, she and Rocky purchased a combination home and studio space in Kessler Park (@kesslerstudioco). Their work also includes creating content for influencers, and she may soon become her own biggest client in that regard. She is expanding her personal brand with the aim of becoming an influencer focused on her lifestyle and everything that comes with home decor, entrepreneurship, wellness, and food. Please stay tuned to her YouTube channel in the future.
“I'm kind of a hybrid,” Tran says. “I'm still a photographer, but I want to build my own brand.” She's happy with her success in Dallas, but has no plans to expand her reach into the wider world. have.
Still, photography and photojournalism are her passions, and she says she does three to five shoots a day. And she says “The Best of Dallas” will always hold a special place in her heart. These are the words we have written down in our notes and plan to notarize in the hope that it will become a binding contract.
