Daily Inspiration: Meet Carlos Alejandro Lujan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Alejandro Lujan.

Hi Carlos Alejandro, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey began in Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, before I moved to the U.S. at nineteen to earn my Marketing degree from UTEP. My photography business actually started on campus; I began taking graduation portraits, and through word-of-mouth, quickly expanded into weddings, quinceañeras, and branding for small businesses and non-profits.

While my path later took me to Boston for an MBA and eventually into the corporate world, 2021 became a pivotal turning point. I faced a cancer diagnosis and underwent chemotherapy while simultaneously navigating a domestic violence situation. These challenges were profound, but they instilled in me a sense of Radical Ownership over my life and my art.

Today, I am cancer-free and based in Los Angeles. My professional background in marketing and experience at platforms like TikTok allow me to bring a strategic, digital-first lens to my photography. Whether I’m shooting for the 2% Band or capturing individual milestones, my goal is to document resilience and authentic beauty. I’m now focused on blending my love for visual storytelling with my future goals in acting and motivational speaking.

include that I found passion for Acting and now I take acting headshots at affordable prices to help starting actors get there quickier
The Story of My Journey
My journey began in Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, before I moved to the U.S. at nineteen to earn my Marketing degree from UTEP. My photography business started on campus, where I began capturing graduation portraits. Through word-of-mouth, I quickly expanded into shooting weddings, quinceañeras, and branding for small businesses.

My path eventually led me to Los Angeles, but not without significant trials. In 2021, I navigated a cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy, and a domestic violence situation. These experiences were transformative, teaching me Radical Ownership and reshaping how I view the world through my lens.

Today, I am cancer-free and fully immersed in the L.A. creative scene. While working in the tech space at TikTok, I discovered a deep passion for acting. This new chapter inspired me to pivot my photography business toward the acting community. Recognizing how expensive it can be to break into the industry, I now specialize in acting headshots at affordable prices. My goal is to help aspiring actors get their start faster by providing professional, high-quality images that don’t break the bank, all while I pursue my own dreams in acting and motivational speaking.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The most significant challenges came in 2021. While I was building my career and pursuing my MBA, I was diagnosed with cancer and had to begin chemotherapy. During that same period, I was dealing with domestic violence abuse, which added a heavy layer of emotional trauma to an already difficult physical battle.

Relocating and transitioning careers also brought their own sets of hurdles. Moving from a small town in Chihuahua to El Paso, and eventually to Los Angeles, meant constantly rebuilding my network from scratch. In the photography world, I had to learn how to balance my marketing expertise with my creative passion, all while navigating the high-pressure environment of the tech industry at TikTok.

These struggles taught me the value of Radical Ownership. Instead of letting these experiences define me as a victim, I used them to fuel my mission. My battle with cancer gave me a deeper appreciation for life’s fleeting moments, and my own journey into the acting world made me realize how hard it is to get started. That’s why I’m so committed to offering affordable headshots—I want to remove the financial barriers for others that I had to face myself. Every “bump” in the road has ultimately made me more empathetic and driven to help others succeed.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My Work & Creative Vision
I am a photographer and storyteller specializing in branding and portraiture. My work is rooted in my background in marketing, which allows me to see beyond just a “pretty picture”—I understand how an image needs to function to build a personal brand or tell a story in a digital-first world.

Specializations & Expertise

While I have years of experience with weddings and small businesses, I currently specialize in professional acting headshots. Having discovered my own passion for acting, I understand the industry’s demands. I am known for providing high-quality, cinematic headshots at accessible prices, specifically to help new actors enter the industry without a massive financial barrier.

What Sets Me Apart

What truly distinguishes my work is the blend of strategic marketing and Radical Ownership. I don’t just capture a face; I capture a narrative. My experience at platforms like TikTok gives me a unique edge in knowing what grabs attention and what resonates with modern audiences. Because of my personal history, I bring an level of empathy and presence to my sessions that helps my clients feel seen and empowered.

What I Am Most Proud Of

I am most proud of my resilience. Turning a period of immense personal struggle—surviving cancer and domestic violence—into a career focused on helping others succeed is my greatest achievement. Using my lens to help someone else “get there quicker” is incredibly fulfilling. I’m proud that my business isn’t just about photography; it’s about providing the tools for others to reclaim their own stories.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up in Nuevo Casas Grandes, I was the classic middle child—the bridge between my two sisters. We’ve always been incredibly close, and that family bond was the anchor of my childhood.

Since both of my parents were teachers, I grew up in a household that prioritized education and curiosity. It was a very supportive environment where I was always encouraged to chase my dreams, no matter how big they seemed.

Personality-wise, I was a blend of creative and ambitious. I was the kid who was always looking for a way to tell a story or capture a moment. That early interest in how people communicate and express themselves is exactly what eventually led me to move to the U.S. to study marketing. I was social, driven, and always felt a pull toward the arts—whether it was through a camera lens or performing—which laid the foundation for the actor and photographer I am today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: GaluPhotography
• Facebook: GaluPhotography
• LinkedIn: GaluPhotography

Image Credits
Pictures taken and owned by Carlos Lujan DBA Galu Photography