Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Taylor.
Hi Jonathan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path has never been a straight line, more like a creative zig-zag with good lighting. I actually got my start as a theatre director at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, which was the perfect bootcamp for storytelling, leadership, and learning how to bring big ideas to life with limited resources and a lot of passion.
From there, I moved into broadcast and video production, where I learned how to tell stories fast, clean, and with just the right amount of chaos. That eventually opened doors to producing, directing, and shooting content all over the globe; from the Caribbean, Asia, Europe and to the pockets of places you only find when you’re following a story or a plane ticket deal. Travel taught me to see creatively, adapt quickly, and understand how people connect no matter where in the world you are.
Somewhere along that journey, I realized I wasn’t just obsessed with content, I was obsessed with how brands communicate who they are. That curiosity pulled me through a mix of roles across creative, strategy, and education. Basically, anywhere I could help someone make something better, I was there.
Karve Studios Dallas came from a simple frustration: I couldn’t find a studio space in Dallas that felt intentional. Great locations? Sure. Great vibe? Not so much. So I built the space I wished existed. Now we host everything from fashion shoots to podcasts to full-on brand productions, and I still get a kick out of people walking in and saying, “Whoa.”
How did I get here? A mix of theatre roots, stubborn creativity, and a belief that good design and good storytelling actually matter. And a heavy dose of fake it till you make it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My career has been full of plot twists and I tend to open a new chapter every 7 years or so.. Theatre taught me how to make magic out of nothing, and video taught me that deadlines do not care about your personal life. I’ve had shoots cancelled, gear fail mid-project, travel plans implode at 3 a.m. . . and that’s before we even get into the creative industry’s favorite pastime: reinventing itself every couple of years.
On top of that, I’ve survived two different life-threatening health issues including cancer and a massive aneurysm, which has a way of rearranging your priorities real fast. Those experiences made me more intentional about my work, my time, and the kind of environments I want to build for myself and others. They gave me a deeper appreciation for the people I collaborate with, the stories I get to tell, and the privilege of still being here to tell them.
And now the entire creative industry is wrestling with the rise of “disposable content” and artificial intelligence. It’s a weird moment. Everyone’s trying to figure out what creativity looks like when output is infinite and attention is microscopic. I think the challenge is actually the invitation: to be more human, more intentional, and more experience-driven.
We’ve been impressed with Karve Media / Karve Studios, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At its core, my work lives at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and experience. I run two connected but distinct brands: Karve Media, which focuses on creative direction, brand storytelling, and experience design, and Karve Studios Dallas, a purpose-built space for content creators, brands, and production teams.
What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is that everything feels cohesive. The studio, the creative direction, the strategy work, the client experience… it all reflects the same values: intentional design, meaningful storytelling, respect for the creative process, and a high standard for craft.
If readers take away one thing about what we offer, it’s this:
We help people create with purpose.
Whether you’re a brand trying to communicate who you are, a creative looking for a space that elevates your vision, or a team wanting a partner who understands storytelling on a global scale; we’re built for that.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck and I have a complicated relationship. I’ve had those “right place, right time” wins that changed everything. The chance introductions, the unexpected opportunities, the projects that turned big when they were supposed to be small.
But I’ve also had the kind of luck that punches you in the gut. Surviving two life-threatening health issues definitely recalibrated my definition of what a “bad day” actually is. After that, the chaos of the creative industry feels a lot more like noise you can navigate.
The older I get, the more I see luck differently. I’m genuinely happy and content with who I am; not just the polished, successful parts, but the messier chapters too. The good and the bad, the wins and the setbacks, the luck and the “you’ve got to be kidding me” moments . . . they all make up the content of who you are. You don’t get to pick and choose.
And honestly, luck is usually something you only understand in hindsight. What feels like bad luck in the moment can turn out to be a redirect. What feels like good luck sometimes comes with strings you don’t notice until later.
So yes, luck has played a role. But it’s just one ingredient. How you respond to it is the part that actually shapes you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karvestudiosdallas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karvestudiosdallas
