Talhy is a photographer and researcher whose interests include identity and place, technology and magic, the ethics of representation, and mixed-media storytelling. Her work examines themes of power, representation, and authorship.

She is a lecturer at  Murdoch University, and her PhD research investigated spirit-mediumship in China and explored the ontology of photography, as well as the capacity for photography to facilitate dialogue with participants.

Talhy is also interested in photography’s potential to empower and ‘give voice’ to vulnerable populations through their participation. She was involved in The Hand Up project, funded by the Australian Research Council, and developed ‘Photovoice’ workshops for for 'at risk' youth.

She is the picture editor for the internationally recognised Q1 journal, Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, and her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Her practice-driven research encompasses more than 25 exhibitions, 16 curatorial shows, image publications in journals, conference papers, and involvement in an ARC-funded project over four years.