“Tania van den Houten, M.S. is a photographer, award-winning filmmaker, writer, and storyteller whose work explores themes of identity, place, resilience, and the human experience. She holds a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where her studies focused on photography, journalism, and narrative storytelling. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts from Rice University and studied at Sorbonne University in Paris.

Van den Houten is the writer, producer, and director of the award-winning documentary American Cowboys, a project that reflects her lifelong commitment to authentic storytelling and documenting the lives of others. Throughout her career, she has worked across journalism, film, public service, education, and the arts, consistently using visual and written narratives to build connection and understanding.

Her photography is informed by a journalist’s eye and a storyteller’s heart, capturing both intimate moments and expansive l”