Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Johnson.
Taylor, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
When I became a mother, more than any other time in my life, there have been so many moments that have filled my soul. I wanted to bottle it all up and preserve it on the shelf, so I could relive that elation any time I wanted. I tried with some success to use pictures to capture those moments but couldn’t quite get what I wanted. I was missing something. I spent months (and now years) and countless hours studying photography and what made a compelling and emotive image. I wanted to be able to capture the emotions that I felt and observed and with a lot of work, I started to figure it out. As with any art, I’m still developing and curating my style and techniques. My favorite subjects will always be my own family but I’ve also found the fire and passion of documenting other families. It’s such a humbling experience to be welcomed into another family and serve them by preserving the powerful emotions of connection through images.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Early in my professional photography journey, my main objective was to capture pictures that were perfectly posed, with perfect lighting, everyone smiling and looking at the camera. Those are the images hanging in every home I’d ever been in and so it seemed to be the gold standard of amazing photography. Still, I yearned for something more. With my own kids, I was constantly taking pictures of the everyday. I did ‘A Day in the Life’ photo stories and instead of directing, stepped back and just documented. Those have been the images that carry the most emotion for me. I have been extending that vision to my client work as I’ve grown more confident and skilled. I dream of being a fly on the wall and capturing families in their element, being genuinely authentic. As a parent, I know there is an expectation to document the big things (birthdays, milestones, graduations, etc) but I also know the value of capturing the little things, the things I know I’d forget. The way toddlers reach up to you with their tiny, chubby hands to be held. The tender cuddles after scraping a knee. Breathing in that heart-melting newborn scent. Those are the scenes that light me up inside and drive my passion. I aim to create stories, not just pretty photographs.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
There is so much going on in the world right now and it can seem like a scary place that is going to implode at any moment. Seeing that only makes my passion burn brighter though. I don’t know that the world is necessarily a scarier place nowadays but that’s definitely the focus of what we see most. Now, more than ever, I need to anchor my focus on love and connection and shine that out into the world. All around the world, there are mothers hugging away hurts, fathers kissing scraped knees, and families snuggling together at the end of a long day. We are all humans trying our best and reminding ourselves of that can make the world seem far less scary.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I’m on Instagram (@taylormphotog) and Facebook (Taylor Marie Photography). I also have a website you can check out. Support in the form of follows on social media is always appreciated. Trusting me to capture your own family’s story is always the deepest show of support.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.taylormariephotography.com
- Email: taylormariejohnsonphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylormphotog/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taylormariejohnsonphotography/
Image Credit:
Taylor Marie Photography
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