Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Lange.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Taylor. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I had a secret dream of being a wedding photographer years before I ever picked up my first “real” camera. It was one of those dreams that seemed completely unrealistic and unachievable, so I hadn’t even given any thought to pursuing it seriously.
I first caught the photography bug back in 2012 when I inherited my past roommate’s old camera when she upgraded to a new one. It was my first DSLR, and I was in love with the control that it gave me in capturing the world around me. For the next couple of years, photography quickly went from my hobby to my passion. I couldn’t get enough of it and I scoured the internet for online classes and tutorials.
Although I was passionate about photography, I still didn’t think that I could ever be ‘cool’ enough to actually be a photographer. Plus, I was focused on completing my “practical” degree in Mathematics from the University of Houston at the time.
In 2015, I came to a point where I knew that I wasn’t on the right path for my life, but I had no idea what path I should be on. During a conversation with my boyfriend, he asked me what I would do if I could choose any job in the world. I told him about my secret dream of being a wedding photographer. He encouraged me to follow my dream and gave me the support that I needed to take the plunge and give it a shot.
Right away I reached out to all of my favorite local photographers to see if I could buy them a cup of coffee or tag along to assist them for free in exchange for mentorship. I was lucky enough that a few really incredible photographers took me under their wings and showed me the ropes of the world of wedding photography.
In November of 2015, Taylor Elizabeth Photography was born, and it has been a dream come true ever since. I have the dream job that doesn’t feel like ‘work’. I love that I get to witness people during some of the happiest moments of their lives, and then document those moments for them to cherish for a lifetime.
I still can’t believe how lucky I am, and I would not be where I am today without the love and support of my boyfriend, my friends, and my family.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle that I had was getting the courage to actually pursue photography as a career. I felt like a fraud at first, like I wasn’t worthy of the title of ‘photographer’. Once I actually took the plunge and started my business, it’s been smooth sailing since. Like everything was meant to be.
Taylor Elizabeth Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I specialize in photographing weddings, elopements, engagement sessions, and boudoir sessions. I’m known for focusing on documenting the real, genuine moments of a wedding day in an authentic way. In addition to documenting real moments, I’m also known for my use of dramatic chiaroscuro lighting in my portraits.
My friend Rachel, who owns the wedding planning company Wed & Prosper, described my work as ’emotionally provoking’. I’ve loved that descriptor and I strive to live up to it with every image that I capture. I want for people viewing the images to feel an emotional connection to what they’re seeing.
When you look at my portfolio, you aren’t just seeing a sea of pretty posed pictures that are so popular on Pinterest and other social media. When you look at my work, you see the imperfections that make a moment truly authentic. The pretty posed portraits are in there too, but I like to show as many genuine moments as I can. Even if they aren’t as ‘classically pretty’.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career….. I wouldn’t say that there has been one big proud moment that I can point to specifically.
There have been a lot of little moments over the past couple of years that have been really significant to me:
– The first time that I met a total stranger who knew of my work and described herself as a ‘big fan’.
– Being selected to be featured as one of twelve photographers from the whole Houston area, where the other eleven photographers in the group were all photographers that I admire.
– The first time that a bride planned her wedding date around my schedule because she had been dreaming of having me as her wedding photographer since before she even got engaged.
– Earning the respect and friendship of photographers that I look up to and who have inspired me so significantly.
– Having other photographers that I admire asking me to be their photographer. That’s a big deal to me.
All of those moments told me that I was doing something right, and to continue along this path.
Pricing:
- Wedding coverage starts at $2,000
- Portrait sessions start at $400
Contact Info:
- Website: taylorelizabethphoto.com
- Email: taylorelizabethphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: @taylorelizabethphoto
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/taylorelizabethphoto/
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