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

Hi Taylor, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Taylor Cook Photography is all about serving with excellence, loving well, and bringing peace & fun into a bride’s day. What sets my brand and business apart is that it’s my highest priority to make you feel seen and known throughout the entire process of working together. Providing you with awesome photos is just the end result, but a client’s entire experience with me truly matters.

On a wedding day when so much is taking place, I want to be the calm for an overwhelmed bride. There is nothing more heartbreaking than hearing about a bride and groom who did not enjoy their wedding day or were so occupied with questions and worries, that their day seems to be a blur. These stories are so rough to hear. A bride and groom’s wedding day is one of the, if not the most important day of their lives. They deserve to celebrate, live in the moment, soak in the love, and have a day that they remember and cherish forever.

That is why my mission statement for my business, TCP, is SO deeply important to me. Every couple deserves to be taken care of on their wedding day. As a photographer, I have direct and close access to the couple for the entirety of their special day. The experience a bride and groom have with me from the time they inquire, to a consultation call, to their engagement session photos, leading up to their big day is HUGE. I want my couples to feel safe, comfortable, and taken care of throughout the entire process of working together. Their experience with me even BEFORE their wedding gives them the security knowing that I will go above and beyond for them on their special day.

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 am Taylor Cook, business owner of Taylor Cook Photography. I am a DFW, Texas wedding photographer that specializes in candid + editorial wedding photography. Every couple deserves to have a wedding gallery delivered to them that is the perfect mix of candid, authentic, raw moments and breath-taking photos created by prompts and posing.

Growing up, I always loved being creative and had a deep desire to create. As I got older, I strayed away from that desire and decided to pursue a path that felt and seemed responsible. I went to college in my 20s, graduated with a 4.0, and started teaching. Throughout the entire pursuit of my degree and even while teaching, I knew that I wasn’t doing what I was called to do. I was constantly reminded of my deep passion for creating and specifically, photography. Photography had always been something I wanted to pursue full time, but I was fearful to make it a career. Throughout my time in college and teaching, I was doing photoshoots on the side, always completely lit aflame with passion anytime I picked up my camera and went out to a photoshoot.

Fast forward of going into my second year of teaching, I couldn’t help but KNOW that it was time to step out and pursue photography full time. It was honestly the scariest decision I have ever made, yet I knew 100% that it was what I was supposed to do. I had to let people’s opinions, doubts, and all of my “what-ifs” fall to the wayside and go for it. I immediately got my LLC, upgraded gear, began doing more photoshoots, and truly dove RIGHT IN. I decided if this was what I was going to do, I was going to give it everything….. and to be honest, I will never regret it. I am so passionate about my career, serving my wonderful couples, networking with others in the industry, and the pure creating aspect of wedding photography. I love capturing and creating images from a bride and groom’s day that leaves their bellies hurting from laughing so hard and in total tears as they re-live the moment they shared their vows and said “I Do.” Capturing the moments that truly make you remember the feeling is that TCP is all about!

What sets me apart from other wedding photographers is that I know how to balance a professional and personal relationship with my clients, and it is very important to me that cultivate an actual friendship. I value my couple’s and determine to be intentional with them. It is huge to me what when I show up to photograph their wedding day, that they feel like their friend has just arrived!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is that just because you have several thousand followers and seem to be booking clients left and right, does not mean that you are succeeding in the area of client experience.

Early on, I met a photographer who seemed to be very talented and very busy. The more time I spent with them, I noticed that they were not valuing their couples’ experience with them and it really hurt to watch.

So lesson learned is that, things may look one way, but they really may not be that way. I will stay focused on my business and the client experience I provide to all of my couples.

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

I actually am able to share a fresh story on this. About 6 months ago, I noticed that a lot of my inquiries were brides that wanted to book me, however they were looking to book BOTH photography and videography. As I noticed this, I quickly pivoted and hired a wedding videographer and filmmaker onto my team! Taylor Cook Photography now offers both wedding photography and wedding videography!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.taylorcookphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tayl0rcookphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taylorcookphotography

Image Credits
Emily Liz Photography