Meet the Team

A woman with curly dark hair and tattoos, wearing a colorful patterned dress, black boots, and jewelry, sitting on a vintage armchair in a cozy, stylish room with wooden floors, potted plants, and a mirror on the wall.

Paloma Strong

Paloma Strong, the owner and head taxidermist of Strong Taxidermy, brings a rare combination of expertise, artistry, and academic training to her field. With a decade of experience as a museum taxidermist, Paloma has pieces in the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, and numerous Audubon centers and nature centers across California. She received a biology degree from Occidental College, where she focused on ornithological research and bird specimen preparation at the Moore Lab of Zoology.

Beyond her professional work, Paloma is an avid birder with a deep love for the outdoors. She spends much of her free time exploring California’s varied habitats and trails with her partner, Laura. These adventures fuel her passion for conservation and provide constant inspiration for her work in the studio. Time in the field is as essential to her process as her technical craft, grounding her perspective and deepening her understanding of the wildlife she preserves.

She’s built Strong Taxidermy not just as a business, but as a creative community for people who care about nature, conservation, and telling the stories of our planet’s biodiversity. As a proud member of the LGBTQ community, Paloma believes representation matters at every level - including in science, art, and small business - which shapes the welcoming, inclusive spirit at the heart of Strong Taxidermy.

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Laura Selig

Laura Selig is a skilled taxidermist and a passionate advocate for the natural world. With years of dedicated training in the craft, Laura discovered her profound love for taxidermy through her partner, Paloma. Raised in an environment that cherished the outdoors, Laura developed a deep-rooted appreciation for wildlife that paved the way for her career.

Her background in conservation work with the city of Los Angeles and the state of California has enriched her understanding of ecosystems and the vital roles various species play within them. Outside of her taxidermy practice, Laura enjoys spending her mornings photographing local coyote populations, meticulously observing and documenting their behaviors. This blend of artistic skill and scientific knowledge reinforces her commitment to celebrating nature's beauty through the art of taxidermy.

Outside of work, she has developed a strong interest in native plants and horticulture. She dedicates significant time to collecting native seeds and distributing them throughout the neighborhood. Each year, she actively removes invasive mustard plants to help protect the local flora and preserve the health of the ecosystem. Her commitment to environmental stewardship reflects her deep appreciation for nature and demonstrates how she integrates her artistic sensibilities with a passion for ecology.

Tommy, Paloma and Laura’s beloved dog, serves as the official Quality Control Inspector at Strong Taxidermy, always ensuring that every piece meets the highest standards. His keen eye and demure attitude create a warm atmosphere - he is the best boy.

If you are a taxidermy artist and interested in selling your pieces on our website, send us an email with your portfolio. We do not accept any oddities or rogue taxidermy. Pinned bugs, articulations, and traditional taxidermy mounts are accepted.