We recently connected with Caden Taylor and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Caden thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Going full-time with photography happened over a long period. Part of it was just being passionate about photography first. Day one was borrowing my mom’s camera when I was 16. Then, I took it on my outings into the mountains and sneaked it onto a trip when I visited friends in Arizona. Finding a passion for photography was the first real step before even thinking about it as my career. Making sure it was something I first loved before I looked at it as a way to earn income.

My biggest step was when I moved out to Salt Lake and took a big leap, focusing on photography everyday. Not just taking photos but learning from people who inspire me, going through their work, their Instagram, and their YouTube channels, and just hearing them talk about photography. Their passion, how they edit, and just every single detail. I spent months watching a new video every day and constantly learning, but then came applying it. I booked a shoot with a friend back home, and it finally felt like all the info and knowledge was put out there.

My next big step came in the next two years of my life, and it was all about growing my photography business. Slowly booked myself cheaper shoots to start out. Gaining more knowledge and experience and how to talk to my clients. Learning what I’m “selling” beyond my photos. I learned that my ideas about becoming known and seen, and gaining fame and fortune weren’t what I wanted at all. When I started getting reviews they didn’t just talk about the photos but they talked about how I took care of my clients.

All the ideas I built myself on crumbled under my feet, realizing that I could only do it if I put others first and focused on serving them. Putting my identity in the “giving” instead of “getting” was what served me most. What came with it is where I’m at today. Going above and beyond for my couples and clients. Each engagement, proposal, and wedding wasn’t “work” but an opportunity to serve someone else.

All this eventually led to me quitting my job four years ago as I was overwhelmed with the opportunity I had in front of me. Either stick to my 9-5 or get to take photos for others. I don’t think I’d change anything about the way I got here since I learned through living out my mistakes and growing my heart for what I do and the people I do it for.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I initially got into photography by being an 8-year-old kid and watching his mom be a photographer. I spent a lot of time watching her photography career when I was a kid. I think that stayed with me and led me to pick up my first camera (her camera). Which then led to me starting my business when I was 19 and going full-time when I was 20.

I offer a full range of photography services from weddings, engagements, proposals, graduation photos, and more! I like to focus on people in all my work and be a part of their biggest moments in life. I mostly shoot weddings and engagement photos, traveling for them across the states. I think what sets me apart is that I don’t see what I do as a “job” in a sense. It feels like I get to go to work, not that I have to. So, I apply that and serve my clients constantly with no extra price tags on what I do. Going above and beyond and scouting locations, setting up proposals, and meeting to talk plans all feel like the bare minimum to me because I have such joy in what I do for others. If you’re reaching out to me for your wedding engagements or anything else, you know you’re getting my best.

I know a first shoot can be scary, intimidating, and awkward. But helping people feel confident, have fun, and get photos back of themselves that they couldn’t have dreamed of is the goal. I’m usually capturing the first and last of something for my clients. First and last graduation shoot, first and last proposal, first and last wedding day. I approach them with much love and care, knowing I’m taking each photo that someone will have to look back on of something that only happens once.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

What is extremely rewarding for me is sharing in a part of others’ lives. I’ve shot a lot of moments for others and getting to share in them truly is a blessing. I’ve cried at a quarter of the weddings I shot. The vows, speeches, and subtle, quiet moments have all got me a little emotional. I often get to see things others don’t at a wedding or a proposal. I’m very thankful a lot of my favorite moments are celebrating others’ biggest moments.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think the best way to support an artist/creative is knowing that beyond the beautiful images, videos, and paintings, and prices we charge, is that they are a person too. We charge a certain price for a couple of reasons. Rent, gear, materials, supplies, gas, food, subscriptions, advertising, and more is one. We need to live off of what a client is purchasing from us. But the other half is that we know we’re worth what we offer. A camera, a paintbrush, or a piece of clay even are all things that, in the right hands, have much more value. So, as much as our prices may seem crazy at times and our ideas outlandish. We have the experience and knowledge to give you something that nobody else can, like we do. We aren’t just a business, but someone trying their best to give you a part of their art that has a little bit of themself in the creation of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://c-t-photo.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cadentaylorphoto