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Meet Talia Landman of Landman on the Moon in Venice

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Talia Landman.

Talia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
This is a tough one because “my story” is still on-going. To be honest, I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of my own potential, so it’s crazy that a publication would want to interview me. However, I have accomplished a lot and had many incredible experiences that I love sharing. I am a storyteller by nature, so whenever something significant happens to me, good or bad, I talk about it.

I moved to California 3 years ago from Florida. I was a freelance journalist covering rocket launches and space industry events from Florida’s Space Coast (about 50 miles east of Orlando). Besides photographing and writing about rockets, I also managed social media for an online space news publication. Space was my biggest passion and an industry I wanted to immerse myself in. To me, there was nothing more exciting than traveling to outer space, breaking the chains of gravity, and doing the impossible.

However, after a few years of flying by the seat of my pants as a freelancer, photographing the same rockets, and watching the industry evolve as I continued to plateau, I decided it was time to change directions. I didn’t want to be on the outside looking in. I wanted to be on the inside looking out. I wanted to be part of the space industry and knew my skills as an online marketer were applicable. I just needed to get more experience working in the corporate world.

I received a lot of criticism for wanting to pursue a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). I was told that I would never find a job because I don’t have an engineering or science degree. I remember being told “companies don’t hire social media managers. They go to agencies for that”. I also recall a loved one calling my dreams “unrealistic”. But nothing felt more right or aligned with my soul than using my marketing skills to tell stories about new technologies and exciting developments in space.

I knew I wasn’t going to find my dream job immediately and would have to accept a position at a tech company that may not be in the space industry. I was fine with that. I was willing to start from the ground up and ready to take a giant leap of faith.

Right before I decided to close the door on journalism, I applied for an opportunity to fly on a weightless zero gravity airplane. It was a contest and I had to submit a video. I created a compilation of all the amazing space events and rocket launches I attended. I also shared some of my aerobatic flights. I won the contest and got to experience what it is like to float in space. That flight was the last big thing I did before moving to California.

I didn’t have a job lined up or a permanent place to live. I was crashing temporarily with a friend and had enough money saved to last me one month in LA while I job searched. I do not recommend doing this… but it is possible. Within three weeks, I was hired full time at a tech company as their marketing coordinator. It was the perfect opportunity and stepping stone towards my career goals.

Los Angeles has a massive space industry and community. It didn’t take long before I got involved. I began volunteering with Yuri’s Night, which puts on a celebration every year to commemorate the first human in space. I also began going on what I’d like to call “night photography adventures”. Basically, I’d go somewhere dark and stay out all night with my dog while photographing the night sky.

Astrophotography and night photography quickly became passions of mine. I didn’t do much of this in Florida because of the light pollution, but California is a dark sky Mecca. I continued shooting and stargazing but slowly began to lose motivation.

And this is where telling my story gets hard.

Long story short – I was in a relationship with a sociopath. Obviously, I didn’t know it at the time, but the relationship took a significant toll on my mental health. Highs and lows. Bizarre chaos. Drama. I was mentally and emotionally exhausted from trying to keep up with someone dedicated to making sure I lose.

I was only living in California for eight months when I was let go from a job in August of 2017. This job was a different one, closer to home, that paid more but it wasn’t in marketing. Honestly, it wasn’t a fit and I wasn’t a good employee. I was having a hard time concentrating because my mind was a mess from the gaslighting at home.

The very same day I lost my job my boyfriend dumped me for good and told me I had to move out. Why? So the woman he was cheating on me with could move in.

I tried to be “strong” but being strong required me to not have boundaries. It required me to be silent when I was assaulted by a stranger at a party my boyfriend took me to. It required me to turn a blind eye to the drama he’d start before every marathon – wrecking me emotionally right before running 26.2 miles. It required me to be accepting of his lack of empathy, support, pride, and loyalty. Every time I accepted less than I deserved, a part of me was chipped away. I was no longer the inspired, vibrant and creative woman I was when I first moved here. I was a shell of myself and incredibly depressed.

But I am resilient. So, even though my heart was shattered, I wasn’t ready to give up on California. I found a new job and a new place to live with two random roommates.

I slept on a mattress on the floor of an empty bedroom. No furniture. Not even a mattress.

I look back on those times with a grateful heart knowing how far I’ve come and how much it took to get here. I didn’t know it at the time – and most of us don’t until we actually experience it – but what this person did to me was psychological and emotional abuse. He never laid a hand on me but my brain wore the scars.

I spent most of 2018 roped into chaos. Every happy moment, exciting adventure, and new experience was tainted by bad news, drama, or devastation. I got into the habit of blocking him before every big event so I could avoid being triggered. Eventually, shit hit the fan and I found out I was pregnant. It was the kick in the face that I needed to get me to realize how badly I needed to remove this entity from my life.

On July 17, 2018, I had an abortion. I didn’t use anesthesia. I heard, saw and felt everything. I have zero regrets. That pain gave me the power I needed to release myself from the hell I was living in. I went “No Contact”. Blocked on every device and means of communication and began the journey back to myself.

I was nearly two years into living in California, and there I was, rebuilding my life all over again.

When I dedicated myself to moving forward, I filled up my time with things that I knew would bring happiness to my soul. I am a runner, so running is like therapy for me. It helped me deal with the anxiety and depression. I often had to force myself to go outside and get in a run. My body wasn’t producing those “feel good” chemicals, so it sucked to be hitting a wall, but I broke through it. Running gave me life again.

Then, I picked up my camera and took advantage of the last few months of Milky Way season. I forced myself to go out to the desert and take photos. Always with my dog but never with another human. I didn’t know anyone and I wasn’t ready to socialize yet.

I needed to get “ME” back. I needed to pick up the pieces of my broken spirit and call all of my power back. So many nights were spent on the beach in Malibu with Juno doing just that. That time spent alone was empowering and healing. I cherished it and documented it.

That was a year and a half ago. Today, I am in a much, much, much better place. I have an incredible job. I live in a beautiful little studio apartment. And I am finally pursuing photography again, which I assume is the entire point of this interview.

But I don’t do photography full time. I am a social media and content manager for an entrepreneur. Ironically, he is the co-founder of the company that provided the zero gravity flight I flew on before my move. He also started a few different space companies, including the foundation responsible for the birth of what is now Virgin Galactic.

I don’t work for a space company, no, but what I get to do is ever better. I’m exposed to so many more areas of technology and science.

I have created a place for myself in the space community through my photography. I have a blog, which I need to update, desperately, but it’s called Landman on the Moon, and it’s where I share some of my adventures. I also share on my Instagram.

Space inspires creativity. It also inspires empathy and a feeling of oneness. Astronauts talk about the overview effect when you look down at our tiny blue marble and realize there are no borders. No dividers. Nothing. We are just one planet. It’s hard not to feel connected when you’re seeing our fragile home from that perspective. It is my dream to experience it one day – and I believe I will.

People don’t know the stories behind my photography but each photograph has meaning to it. It’s how I express myself and connect to the universe.

I believe empathy and wonder are two powerful forces that can impact the world. I hope leave others with that feeling when they look at my photography.

I’ve been living in Los Angeles for over three years, but it feels like I just arrived. Now that I have worked through the tough stuff like dating a sociopath, sleeping on the floor of an empty bedroom, and having my insides ripped out (sorry if that’s morbid, but sometimes, ya gotta make some jokes), I am stepping into my power and beginning to really branch out.

I hope to use this story as a way to empower and inspire others who are going through tough times. I want them to know its possible to rise up from the depths of hell and recreate an empire from the ashes. That it is possible to take the pain and turn it into power.

I also want people to know that what is meant for you will never leave you. It will flow to you, and flow with you, regardless of the changes you grow through.

I have no idea where this journey is taking me, but so far, it’s been a pretty incredible ride.

Has it been a smooth road?
My mental health was my biggest struggle. I battled depression, anxiety and low self-worth. I also struggled with suicidal thoughts but was brought out of it with the help of friends and my dog.

Going through the abortion without anesthesia, and the reality that the relationship was a con, left me traumatized. I was extremely happy to have exercised my right to choose – do not get me wrong – but my body held on to the trauma. Trail running, meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy helped me heal and move past it all.

Being 2,500 miles away from my family and closest friends. Having to do everything on my own made me very self-sufficient and independent.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Landman on the Moon – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
My personal business, if you want to call it that, is my photography – Landman on the Moon.

I call it that because my last name is Landman and I really want to go to the moon! It the first celestial object I ever photographed and imaged through my telescope.

I sell my prints on metal, paper, and tapestries. I started off printing just for myself and when people started to ask about buying from me, I began to consider the possibility of making it a side hustle. I created a blog to share my photography, tell stories, and inspire others to create magical solo experiences.

I believe what sets me apart is my vulnerability, independence, and my voice. I speak openly about abortion, emotional abuse, harassment, and other sensitive topics that can easily turn people away. I go on most, if not all, of my night photography adventures and road trips alone with just my dog. I am living my life and doing what I love unapologetically.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Oh man. I love everything about Los Angeles. I have zero complaints except the traffic.

I love the culture, the street art, museums, food, music, farmer’s markets, and hiking trails. I also love that you can go to the beach and hike in snow in the same day! I love being in a city but still having the mountains and desert close by. I truly believe Los Angeles is a paradise and I get stoked every time I realize I get to call this place home!

Pricing:

  • Tapestries starting at $65 (60″x51″) with free shipping in the USA
  • Metal prints starting at $130 (11″x14″) with free shipping in the USA
  • Paper prints starting at $30 (8″x10″) with free shipping in the USA

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
The photograph of me on the beach and me holding my camera were taken by @capturedby3muh (Emma Vo).

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