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

Taylor, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

As a professional wedding photographer, I’ve seen several trends come and go in the industry over the past few years. One of my personal favorite trends that’s gaining popularity is film photography. Film photography creates a unique and imperfect look; truly an unmatched aesthetic. Film is more than a strip of photographs – it creates an emotional connection through the rawness in each image.

My clients wish to cherish and relive the special moments of their wedding and remember the emotions they felt. Film photography allows them to do just that! Another way to think about it is listening to music on vinyl versus on a phone or car speaker. There is a richness and warmth that comes from listening to a vinyl record. This is similar to film photography!! The warmth, graniness, and just overall look film photography provides is unmatched.

Another fun trend that’s becoming increasingly popular is the use of flash drag! This technique emulates an amazing sense of motion and energy. Flash drag basically means setting a camera shutter to a slower speed while an external flash is set to a slighter faster speed. This creates a unique and dynamic look! This technique is useful for nighttime portraits to give a fun editorial look, or it allows couples to relive the craziness of the dance floor through the movement in photos!

As a photographer, I absolutely love implementing these trends in my weddings. They allow me to be creative and create photographs that are both beautiful and unique! By embracing these trends and incorporating them into my work, I can create photographs that truly capture the essence of the day. Whether it’s using film photography to create a timeless look or using flash drag photos to create a fun and dynamic effect, I’m always looking for new and creative ways to capture the magic of a wedding day.

Taylor, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My interest in photography stems from my grandfather! He had an impressive collection of antique cameras. In high school, I enrolled in a photography program and fell deeply in love with this hobby. When pursuing a degree in college, I continued taking photography courses. During this time, I had no idea that this would turn into more than a hobby or a side hustle. Here’s some advice – life is truly unpredictable. After college, my plans included being a graphic designer. About a year and a half after graduating while living out that “dream”, a local wedding photographer asked me to join her team as a part-time second shooter. I jumped on that roller coaster and never got off!
Since then, things have really taken off. I’ve had the honor to document several wedding days and photograph major life milestones for my clients. Each new session booked has opened so many new doors. The new opportunities that came to me were those that I had only dreamed about. Before I knew it, photography was my full-time job! Almost three years later, I’m still self-employed; doing what I love the most!

The best part of being a photographer in a modern world is the continuous educations and experiences! I learn something new almost daily. I cannot believe how blessed I am that I get to surround myself with the most beautiful clients and make these special moments permanent. I am here to create a meaningful and genuine experience while capturing authentic, intimate, and unscripted images for the in-love. I’m my client’s hype woman, BFF, and professional third wheel all bundled in one! I’m a lover of all things Free People, Mexican food, Jesus, chai tea lattes, my kindle paperwhite and just about any cute furry animal. But above all, I am a daughter of God. He has completely taken hold of me, and I have an identity in Him. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to get to chase my dreams for all of God’s glory.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is building a community and a network. Whether you’re a painter, writer, musician, or a different type of artist; having a supportive community is key for both your business and personal growth. Within this community, I have had the opportunity to work with my dream clients through referrals along with learning tips and tricks alongside other aspiring creatives. Some of my best friends are photographers that I have met through this journey.
Getting to know my colleagues have introduced me to new perspectives and inspiring life stories. Through this community; I have found accountability, education, confidence, and ambition. Community over competition seems to be just a cliche saying, but it’s way more than that. Since embarking on my photography business journey almost three years ago, I still find myself leaning on my photography friends for insight.
Being surrounded by other supportive creatives and working with the best clients will be something I’ll never quite get over! The fact that documenting love stories and milestones so they last longer than a lifetime for my job is surreal! I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without my community of people cheering me on.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Patience and consistency is the key to growing your business. This can take months, or even years! Unpopular opinion – going viral shouldn’t be your strategy when growing your business. Sure a viral TikTok or reel may give you a few extra followers. However, if there is no content for these new followers to latch onto, why would they stay?

Some of my favorite strategies in growing my business include attending content days hosted by seasoned photographers, second shooting at weddings, and hosting mini sessions to meet new clients!

Content days are a fun way to collaborate with other creatives and build your portfolio. These events are a perfect way to meet and network with other photographers, models, makeup artists, hair stylists, wedding planners, wedding dress designers, and other vendors who may be interested in working with you in the future! A huge benefit to attending a content day is showcasing your skills which will attract new clients.

Second shooting for a wedding photographer is another great way to build connections in your area along with gaining extra experience! The best way to learn is from others and through practice. Being a second shooter provides the perfect environment to do just that.

Mini sessions are perfect for attracting new clients and building your portfolio. Busy season for family photographers is typically in the fall and winter season. This is when most families are in need of an updated photo for their Christmas Cards! Mini sessions are the perfect fit for these clients. Mini sessions typically involve booking an event space or venue, providing props or a specific set-up, then booking clients back-to-back over the course of a few hours. Instead of working with one family for the day, I get the chance to photograph multiple! When sending out their cards or posting on social media, it’s additional advertisement for my business. Clients who book via word of mouth or referrals are extremely healthy for a business.

Also, just be consistent online! Investing in a good website to showcase your talent and posting regularly provides your future clients with the ability to see your work! Social media is more than a cluster of apps, it’s a community! So, it’s important to also engage with clients and followers on social media! It takes time and effort to create a community around your brand. But, learning to use free apps and platforms to share your business is one huge tool to a successful one.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.taylorharrisphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorharrisphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taylorharrisphoto
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/taylorharrisphoto/

Image Credits
Taylor Harris Photography