We were lucky to catch up with Dean Taylor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dean, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I used to freelance full-time nearly 5 years ago now, as a photographer and videographer, and I’d describe it as *just* about making ends meet. On the first day, I quit my job at Dough Mama, a cozy local bakery in Columbus, Ohio. With no savings and not much of a plan, I was living in a studio live-work space at Milo Arts, an old school built in 1894. This setup allowed me to have space for what I needed to start off. Business was very slow at first and I mostly photographed local artists, musicians and events in the city.

I didn’t fully commit to freelancing until I moved out of Milo Arts. After that, I worked haphazardly out of a dark moldy alley garage behind our house. The significant milestones in that journey involved putting myself out there, making connections, even though it didn’t immediately translate to financial success. However, it eventually led to unexpected opportunities years later. If I hadn’t dedicated myself 24/7 during that period, I wouldn’t have received the opportunities I have now. Despite the discomfort, it felt like the only way to move forward, and make connections.

Looking back, the only potential way to expedite the process might have been to start freelancing sooner,  start with a small team of others, and found grants or ways to support what I wanted to do financially. The biggest lesson is I’m learning to accept that I am growing and learning as I go, and that’s a normal process for most in the film industry that isn’t spoken of enough.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was born in northeastern Ohio, left home at 18 after getting married in my parents living room and I lived in Colorado for some time with my now ex-partner. Being there was transformational for me as a visual artist, and it is a place that I hold a deep love and appreciation for, especially considering the uncomfortable relationship I was in at the time while being held in that beautiful valley of the rocky mountains, there is where I bought my first camera and began my path in photography. My entry into the film industry was primarily through obtaining an undergraduate degree in Cinematic Arts after leaving Colorado to Columbus, Ohio in 2010 where I still am today. Filming friends, art openings, band practices, shows in dive bars etc utilizing whatever camera I could get my hands on, as well as short film projects through school.

My discipline with my career has always been uncomfortable and to this day with the little experience I feel I have (others will argue this statement) It is an uncomfortable feeling in my body more often then not, full of anxiety, nerves, and stress – but that ultimately is fueled by the passion for filming in whatever genre.

Currently, I’m in a corporate space. I have a full-time hybrid role as a Sr. Director of Video Production in Cleveland, Ohio. As a cinematographer and editor / videographer and editor, (I separate the two here because I feel I play both roles within my current field.) I take pride in being a problem solver, always striving to deliver the best possible piece. The range of my skills is extensive – from filming and directing brand marketing advertising, to product explainer videos, more narrative pieces with internal co-workers, to editing everything I shoot and then delivering that product to where it was requested. Like any job, its exhausting, but I feel privileged in this economy to have a job with benefits that I don’t hate going to like past employment situations. I’ve won awards through them and had access to equipment and travel arrangements that I wouldn’t have had before. It has expanded my understanding of brand marketing as well. I have a handful of pieces that i’ve done for brands that I enjoyed doing so much, these capabilities I am proud to possess and grow within on a larger much faster scale then if I were to be freelancing alone.

What I find most gratifying is my ability to tackle anything or do anything I set my mind to achieve, which is cliche but true, it’s a messy process but I’m learning to not allow fear to prevent me from trying new endeavors. Despite grappling with anxiety due to the stress, cost, and demand (or lack thereof) for certain skills in my field, fear has never been a part of my vocabulary when it comes to my career, when a promising opportunity presents itself, and if everything aligns I find a way to take it, or make it work.

A current ongoing project in collaboration with the local non-profit organization, A Tribe for Jazz, began with a lil’ LinkedIn conversation. Stephanie Matthews, the Executive Director, expressed genuine enthusiasm and kindness towards my work. She shared her vision for the visual storytelling she desired for the program, emphasizing how well my skills aligned with her vision. Despite initially hesitating due to my existing full-time job, I recognized the incredible opportunity to create a short film/documentary and decided to fully commit. It felt like the universe had connected me with Stephanie, and I was determined to seize this chance, eliminating any excuses. The experiences gained from my 9-5 job have contributed significantly to my artistic growth, and I was eager to showcase that progress in collaboration with A Tribe for Jazz, and pull myself out of this negative mindset that I couldn’t do it.

My point is, and this leads into the last question of what are the main things you want potential clients, followers to know about me, my work, my “brand” and I’ll say that opportunities can develop and arise from anywhere, and I allowed my intuition to guide me, not fear, reminding myself to stay open to growth and to deeply embrace a sense of change in pace of my life and approaching it calmly in a manner that feels controlled and present. As well as helping others to grow themselves with the work that I was about to create for them and their brand. Its easy to overthink, over analyze, stress, and manifest the negative. I think being aware of all this can be the light that helps break these habits of thinking that we are so used to fixating on.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In late 2019, I accepted a position as a video-journalist for a local news station, despite lacking formal journalism education. At the time, I worked as a hostess at a pizza shop, taking on freelance gigs sporadically. When I received the job offer, I was shocked. He cited my freelance work, interviewing style, and unique approach to shooting as qualities he sought in his team of photogs (as we were called in news. Here I’m further emphasizing how freelancing paid off.)

During the peak of this experience in 2020 amidst the pandemic, uprisings, and the Trump era, I faced immense challenges, emotionally and physically. I encountered hostility, including lit cigarettes thrown at me, profanities, full water bottles thrown during protests, gum spat at me, and even having my camera ripped from my hands and thrown to the ground. I viewed myself as an intrusion into the lives of those in pain, who I was constantly striving to make feel safe and supported personally. Although my 40lb camera and company vehicle seemed indifferent, I recognized the emotional toll of my job on others, and I hated it. It was such a relief to be able to be the one to show up to a story where exposure was needed, and appreciated.

The stories I covered and the countless individuals I spoke with took a daily toll on my emotional well-being. Navigating the overwhelming trauma became a daunting task, yet I persisted in showing up day after day. The world felt burdened and exposed, and the weight of the experiences helped me grow as a filmmaker and a human being. Although I hadn’t anticipated such personal development, I became a hell of an editor, often left with less than an hour to edit a piece that would be live on air in the 3 shows we had on nightside (late shift). The experience proved crucial for my ultimate end goals, which revolve around community, kindness, education, and storytelling.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I sense that adaptation and change are integral to my life, career, and the broader human experience. Professionally, I transitioned from retail to car sales, back to retail, explored roles in restaurants, ventured into care-giving, tried my hand at freelance work full time and part time, embraced teaching, returned to the restaurant industry, I worked on a project in the printed world for a few years as a curator and project manager, delved into video journalism, and eventually landed in brand marketing where I am now. The journey was far from straightforward. Despite its seemingly disorderly and chaotic nature, my path has contributed significantly to my personal development and my life interests. Especially when faced with financial independence, it becomes completely normal to be bouncy and do what you need to do to survive.

Being a woman in the film industry, seemingly just starting to build my life around it, adds an extra layer of challenge. However, this challenge fuels my determination to work even harder to succeed—not just for myself, but also for others who may face similar obstacles. It’s a motivation that goes beyond personal achievement and extends to creating opportunities for those who might not have the same privileges.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.deantaylor.info
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/water___bed/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/deanetaylor

Image Credits
Photo credits: Brian Kaiser, Jocelyn O’ Bryon, Keith Ridley, and Jacklyn Brickman
Jeff Strawn