We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Taylor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Taylor, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I introduce my business and myself as a “Queer Elopement and Wedding Photographer” with a lot of intentionality. I want the couples I serve to know that they are safe with me. I will do everything I can to capture their story and their day and make sure they are surrounded with love and support. It also serves to ensure that I work with the people who I want to surround myself with. Gay, queer, allies, and loved ones are all welcome in front of lens. I want to find joy and love and happiness and broadcast that to the world. What is more impactful than love in a world of uncertainty (or worse.)

When I was younger I got married before I fully knew myself. It didn’t work out for a lot of reasons. I learned a lot from that experience. After getting a divorce, I learned a lot more and I found my queer side and fell completely in love with an amazing community. I also fell in love with an awesome human that is so kind and loving and supportive. More than I ever thought possible. I want everyone to feel that kind of love. And to be the lucky one to document it, is just such a treat.

The LGBTQ+ community is full of love and light and kindness and the world deserves to see that. Especially right now.

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

I got the idea to start Wilde Garland Photography in the fall of 2023. Although, truth be told the seed was planted much earlier. In high school, I carried a cheap camera with me everywhere. I can’t even remember the brand. I found out one of my grandmother’s was a bit of a photographer as well and it makes me feel connected to her.

When my daughter was born, that was the first time I thought of starting a business. I lacked support and money to even think
about being able to do that, so I shelved
the idea.

In 2023 I kinda sheepishly mentioned the idea to my partner and they got so excited about the idea and have basically cheered me on every day since. My daughter also sometimes serves as my second photographer now, which is so much fun! She’s starting her own business as well and I love seeing her spread her wings!

I’m mostly self taught. Years of trial and error have led me to some really cool revelations. Throughout the years, I have always taken photos, but starting a business wasn’t something I thought I could do. I’ve discovered I really enjoy the research and finding out things and putting the business pieces together. I feel like I have landed on this really fun vibrant and moody style that I really love.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I’m still on the newer side and I’m still building a reputation, but I really hope it’s one of being fully and truly myself. I tell silly jokes and trip over nothing, I tend to dance while I’m thinking, and make weird noises to describe things. I want to make sure the humans in front of my camera are comfortable and can show up and have a really good time. Because if your photo is being made, I hope it’s for a fun reason!

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I have multiple touch points so that my clients never feel like they are alone in their process. I respond quickly to communications from clients and I recognize that while I live and breathe my business, people only get married once. Or twice. Maybe a couple more, but its not an everyday thing for most folks. So when people email me at 2 am with a question I have gotten a hundred times, I’m excited to answer it for them. Love, compassion and a sprinkle of excitement. Always.

And I work for people that I really enjoy being around. And I’ve been lucky enough to make a few amazing friendships along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Wildegarlandphotography.com
• Instagram: @wildegarlandphotography
• Facebook: @wildegarlandphotography
• Yelp: Wilde Garland Photography

Image Credits

All images by Wilde Garland Photography