Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Cook
Hi Taylor, 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?
Timeless by Taylor Photography all started as a hobby back when I was about 16. I always loved the idea of photography, just never knew where to start! I took my mom’s point & shoot camera that she used for day-to-day and started to make my sisters be my models for photoshoots. From there, it turned to some of my Mom’s friends asking me to take their family photos for Christmas cards. I would charge them $50 and throw them on a disc for them to have.
When I was in my Senior year, I took a few of my friends’ senior photos and had a few “real” clients here & there, but it was still mostly just something to keep me busy & to get my creative juices flowing!
I used to be a cheerleader, and when I was in my 3rd year of College (after I had graduated from a community college) I decided that it was time to retire from cheerleading myself, so from there, I really started to grow my business! I still did it part time – as I was a college student while also coaching cheer at my former high school & coaching at a local tumbling gym. Slowly I started backing away from the cheer world altogether, and decided to take my photography business full time at age 20! Fast forward to now – I’m 29 years old living my DREAM. I photograph high school seniors, weddings, engagements, families, & maternity! My husband & I even built our dream home two years ago and we were able to add on my own studio to the back of the house! I absolutely LOVE what I do & would not change that for the world!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been far from smooth! As I mentioned before, I was in DEEP with the Cheerleading world, and it was SO hard for me to give that up. I had been cheering since I was 12! But I realized that this was my true passion and I’m never looking back! I still love to enjoy the girls’ performances every year, though! 😉
Another big obstacle for me just getting started was the fact that I was comparing my work to others who had been in the business with so much more experience than I had. It was hard for me to find my own unique style, but I am very secure in who I am now, and how I present my art! I long for real emotion in my photos -and figuring out the best way to do that was definitely a challenge!
I think a lot of small businesses also go through the struggles of just managing your own business. It’s not all rainbows & butterflies! There are a LOT of things to know & it takes a lot of learning! I’m still learning new things every day!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I photograph a lot of high school seniors, engagements & weddings, and families! I focus a lot on organic movement & raw emotions. As far as high school seniors go – that just means that I give them a lot of moving prompts so they don’t end up feeling stiff & uncomfortable. When it comes to my couples & families, I urge them to just interact with each other. Give me ALLL the PDA! I’ll throw out fun prompts for them to try & though they may feel SO silly, I’ll be right there doing it with them to get the best reactions & emotion! It makes me so proud & elated, even, when I get a message from a client after a shoot or after they have viewed their gallery telling me how comfortable they felt in front of my camera, & how you can just feel the emotion looking at the photos!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
From a photography standpoint, I love the rooftops I can take photos on & see the skyline with the arch – the STAPLE of StL! Forest Park is also beautiful & easy to find any good location to take photos. A lot of my work showcases more organic locations like this – long, grassy fields; and places with a lot of foliage. But on the flip side, I guess what I like least is the lack of other organic looking locations – but that’s just what a city is!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.timelessbytaylorphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timelesstaylorphotography?igsh=MXJqc3M0dmpjZTho&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15bXiYsbBK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://book.usesession.com/i/Mhjmap4X7j
