Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Arriola
Hi Taylor, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My love affair with photography didn’t start with a lifelong passion or a fairy-tale beginning. I wasn’t the kid in the photo club or the teenager snapping shots for the yearbook. In fact, I didn’t even think about photography until my late twenties. Before picking up a camera, my experience was limited to bathroom selfies on nights out and capturing fun moments with friends on my iPhone.
Rewinding a bit, my path was anything but linear. I went to college for a BA in Psychology with the intention of becoming a social worker. Halfway through, though, I realized it wasn’t for me and I wasn’t cut out for the emotional strength that that line of work required.I took a gap year and decided to explore a completely different passion: food. I enrolled in culinary school, diving headfirst into the world of fine dining. I eventually found myself in San Diego’s fine dining scene, building a career I thought would be my endgame.
But life had other plans. A shotgun wedding and two babies later, life brought big changes. I decided to leave the demanding restaurant industry and start my own baking business, combining my love of food with the flexibility I needed as a mom. As I tried to market my cakes and pastries, I realized my outdated iPhone pictures weren’t cutting it. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, I bought a Canon camera kit, thinking it would simply help elevate my business.
That year was overwhelming. Between running a business, raising two babies, and trying to keep everything afloat, I hit burnout so hard. Baking, once my passion, became a chore. Reluctantly, I decided to close my business and step back from the kitchen. Instead, I focused on being present with my family and rediscovering myself.
One day, I noticed my Canon collecting dust on a closet shelf. Curious and a bit nostalgic, I decided to give it a go—not for a business, but for me. What started as snapping pictures of my family quickly became an all-consuming obsession. I wanted to capture not just moments but emotions, connections, and stories.
My love story with photography was officially born. It’s a funny thing—I once read a cheesy romance novel where the main character was a photographer, and I remember thinking, How cool would that be? With that memory in mind, I gave my camera the side-eye and decided, “Why not?” I threw myself into learning: countless late nights scrolling through TikTok tutorials, devouring blog posts, and experimenting with manual settings. I bribed friends and family to let me play paparazzi, learning something new with every session.
Then, fate intervened. An incredible local photographer announced she was offering mentorships. I took it as a sign and signed up immediately. That mentorship was a game-changer. I asked every “silly” question I could think of, filled notebooks with tips and techniques, and practiced nonstop. My mentor, a constant source of encouragement, pushed me to take the leap and officially call myself a photographer. She reminded me, “You can spend years wondering, What if? Or you can be brave and see what happens.”
So, I took her advice. The next day, I announced my photography business online.
The rest, as they say, is history. Over the past two years, I’ve built a career as a full-time professional photographer. It hasn’t been easy—it’s taken countless prayers, late nights editing after the kids are asleep, and putting myself out there in ways that felt terrifying (and sometimes a little cringe). Along the way, I’ve attended workshops, participated in styled shoots, and invested in another mentorship. I’ve captured 122 photoshoots and spent approximately 720 days falling deeper in love with what I do.
Now, I can confidently say I’ve found my calling. Photography isn’t just a job; it’s my passion and my purpose. Looking back, I realize every twist and turn in my journey brought me here. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road, but it’s definitely been an adventure full of lessons and growth. When I first decided to become a photographer, I was excited about the creative aspects—meeting new people, expressing my vision, and editing to my heart’s content. What I didn’t fully anticipate was the variety of roles I’d have to juggle to run a successful business. I quickly learned that being a photographer isn’t just about taking photos. Suddenly, I became my own marketing manager, financial advisor, accountant, social media strategist, and even a secretary—handling emails, DMs, and coordinating photoshoot logistics.
Beyond these logistical challenges, one of the most unexpected struggles has been navigating Imposter Syndrome. It creeps in quietly, often when you’re scrolling through the work of other photographers. What starts as inspiration or a desire to support peers can spiral into comparison. And as the saying goes, ‘comparison is the thief of joy.’ You start questioning everything—Is my work good enough? Should I adjust my editing style? Is my client experience as smooth as it should be? Does my business model measure up?
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome has required a lot of self-awareness and grounding. It’s a constant practice of reminding myself why I started this journey in the first place and focusing on my growth rather than comparisons. While the road hasn’t been smooth, it’s shaped me in ways I never expected and made the victories that much more rewarding.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What sets me apart is the way I approach each photoshoot and the distinct style I bring to editing. My process blends a documentary-style approach with a touch of storytelling, aiming to capture moments that feel lived-in, and unposed.
Every session begins with what I affectionately call the “grandma’s gallery wall” shots—classic, posed photos where clients look directly at the camera. These are the timeless images that family members love to frame and display. Once those are done, that’s when the real magic begins. Instead of rigid poses, I use prompts that help clients relax, have fun, and truly be themselves. This approach allows me to document their genuine emotions and personalities, creating photos that feel like a vivid snapshot of who they are in this moment.
When it comes to editing, my style is cinematic and nostalgic. I focus on enhancing details, like cropping to emphasize key moments and enriching colors to evoke warmth and coziness. My goal is for clients to look back on their photos years from now and not only see the image but feel the emotions of that time in their lives. I love romanticizing my clients’ stories, turning fleeting moments into timeless memories.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Oh gosh, so many! I absolutely love reading in my downtime. While I’m not much of a self-help person, I find that reading is a great way to relax and reset mentally. I’m also a big fan of podcasts, and one of my favorites is Christ on Coffee with Ice by Ally Yost. It’s such a fun and inspiring listen, and it helps me stay motivated to work on areas in my life I might feel convicted about. It also keeps my morals aligned with how I run my business.
For work, I love the Oh Shoot podcast by Cassidy Lynne. She covers everything about the photography life—her episodes are not only entertaining but also incredibly educational. Another resource I use regularly is the Unscripted app, which is a game-changer for photographers. It’s a CRM that helps manage client portals, contracts, and questionnaires, but it also has a treasure trove of educational blog posts and tips from other talented photographers.
I also look up to educators like Jai Long and Nathan Chanski, whose podcasts are packed with insights on the business side of photography. Beyond digital resources, I make time for creative reset activities like styled shoots. They’re amazing for stepping out of your comfort zone, trying new things, and networking with other photographers and vendors.
The beauty of technology in 2024 is that we have so many incredible tools and resources at our fingertips, whether for learning, networking, or just improving work-life balance. It’s exciting to see how much growth and creativity they can inspire!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.taylorannephotographystudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorannephotographystudio
- Other: Email: Tayloranne.photog@gmail.com
