Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Thrasher.
Hi Taylor, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved photography. I received my first camera at the age of 11 (a hot pink digital zoom camera), and loved making art on my computer with my photos. In 2016, when I was 19, my good friend and her now husband had started a photo and video business (now called Everfield Creative). They took me under their wing, showed me the ropes, and introduced me to the world of professional photography. At the time I was actively attending college to receive my teaching prerequisites, which I did obtain, however I kept feeling pulled in the direction of art versus teaching. From 2016-2020 I worked various jobs while doing photography on the side, building my portfolio and honing in on my craft. I got to second shoot for countless weddings while working for my friends, and that’s truly where I began to fall deeply in love with photography. In 2020, I was working full time as a server at BJ’s Brewhouse in Wesley Chapel, while picking up as many photography side jobs as I could on my days off. I saved my tips, upgraded my equipment, but something kept holding me back from trying to take things to the next level (photographing full time). Then the Pandemic hit and the world halted to a stop. My serving job fired 90% of its staff, me along with them, and I had to apply for unemployment benefits, wondering what I was going to do. I was just a drop in a sea of people negatively impacted by such a catastrophe of course, and I knew that there were people in way worse conditions and situations than I found myself in, but 23 year old me felt like her world had flipped upside down. My then boyfriend (now husband) encouraged me to go all in with my photography business and I decided it was sink or swim, I could either let myself drown or I could put my all in to giving my business the push that it needed to pursue photography full time. I used a good portion of the money I had saved prior to being let go to upgrade my equipment again, create marketing, registered with our state, become an LLC, get insured, essentially did everything I needed to do to become a fully operational professional photography business, and I haven’t looked back. I’ve been running my business Taylor Marie Productions LLC full time since 2020, and I genuinely love what I do every single day. And I absolutely could NOT have gotten to where I am today without the love and support from the best family, friends and husband in the world. They have all witnessed my ups, downs, encourage me when I want to give up, praise me for even the smallest of successes, and most of them have been willing (or unwilling) Guinea Pigs for session ideas that I’ve come up with or helped me during a session or wedding. And most importantly, my clients who have trusted me over the years while I have grown and changed, and who have invested in my time and artwork are truly why I am still here today doing this full time. Without my clients love for my artwork, I genuinely would not be here. I’m eternally grateful for where I am at, and I am so proud of my 23 year old self for taking the leap.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, and I imagine that most artists and/or gig-based workers would agree, especially if they are their own boss. There are so many working pieces that go in to not only owning a business, but being a gig-based artist. When you’re first starting, purchasing good equipment alone is incredibly expensive. Then there is learning everything about your equipment, learning about light and depth, learning how to use an editing software of your choosing (and I self taught myself everything with some help from my friend). Then there’s the matter of gaining a clientele and trying to get your name out there. In an oversaturated industry, you have to stand out and focus on a few things you want to catch people’s eye. Social media is a HUGE part of connecting with clients and building relationships, which means you have to learn to be your own social media manager and marketer. Learning how to market alone is an entire job in itself. Then there’s learning over the years how to work with bad weather, or how to efficiently play catch up at a wedding that’s running an hour behind, or know how to adjust your settings when there’s clouds one second during a ceremony and bright sun the next. Then there’s the yucky things that we don’t like to speak in to existence that DO in fact happen because nothing is perfect and we are human, but the kind of things that bottom out your stomach and become a new lesson you have to learn and grow from. Like a camera body breaking and you don’t have a back up body (learned that the hard way years ago, and thankfully NOT at a wedding), or deleting a gallery off of an SD card that you thought you had uploaded, then call your boyfriend panicking and he comes over and has to download software to retrieve the lost files (that one REALLY taught me a lesson). Or the other kind of stomach dropping situations like a client not showing up, or backing out on you last minute. Honestly the list could go on, but I also have an incredibly long list of reasons why all of it has been worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a wedding and family photographer! I will do almost any kind of session or event, but I tend to capture weddings and elopements the most. I also try to donate my time to a charity event at least once a year, such as when Make-A-Wish does their walk in the spring. I also take pride in being an LGBTQ+ ally, all are welcome here!
I feel like what sets me apart from others is that I’m a human that still acts human. What I mean by that : In this industry, specifically the wedding industry, there’s a line between professionalism and down right losing touch with reality. I want my clients to be wowed by my professionalism, but to also feel connected to me as a person and my art. I want my clients to feel like they can relate with me, joke with me, cry with me. I’ve had clients reach out to me years after their wedding and thank me for capturing so many portraits of their grandparents who have since passed, or maternity clients who have opened up to me about their infertility struggles. It’s a joy when you make others feel safe enough to share these kind of sentiments with you. I also take pride in not being a business who relies on AI. My marketing? My editing? My social media? That’s all authentically me.
How do you define success?
I define success by leaving such a mark on someone that they choose to include me in all of their important life events. My clients who return to me time and time again, who I have captured everything from their engagement, to their wedding, maternity session, newborn photos, 1st birthday photos, Christmas portraits, large family portraits, and more. Making such an impact that they specifically choose me to document their memories over many years, is the biggest joy and measure of success in my eyes.
Pricing:
- Elopements range from $415-$1,450+
- Weddings range from $2,300-$4,000
- All other sessions range from $250-415+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://taylormarieproductionsllc.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylormarieproductionsllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1J7jmDuBLc/
