Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Ochoa.
Hi Taylor, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I first picked up a camera in high school. After moving from Washington State to Southern California, I found photography to be a way that I can capture the places I’ve gone and the moments I’ve experienced. I loved being able to share those places and experiences with my friends and family back home. When I was 17, I started dabbling in weddings by assisting other photographers and that’s when it hit me – I really love wedding photography. I dove full force into the wedding world so I could learn everything I could. Fast forward to 2017, when I officially went full-time with my passion. I love witnessing and documenting moments as they unfolded in front of me. I am able to create a safe place for my couples to be themselves. Allowing the moments captured to be cherished by the couple and their families for generations to come is something I never take lightly. Now that my husband (who is a wedding videographer) and I live in Seattle, WA, we still travel back and forth to Southern California as well as across the globe. Wherever couples and their love stories take us.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Moving to a completely new market after being full-time was a really tough transition. I felt this panic inside of making sure I didn’t hit a lull. (which really is inevitable) I hustled for four months – many sleepless nights, running numbers, connecting with vendors, and finding new ways to put myself out there. I finally had a hold of what felt like a consistent schedule, and then COVID hit. That rocked the wedding world like we never expected. Not being able to work for months during the shutdown felt devastating. Walking with my couples through each decision and having to pivot the idea of their dream wedding was quite a task, as well. Many of our couples chose to elope on their original date (if possible) and postpone the reception. Some decided to postpone to await the wedding they always hoped for. And unfortunately, some couples canceled their event all together. Everyone had their own priorities and being able to work with them and accommodate all of the different situations (especially the ones out of state) was incredibly stressful. The trust of my couples and communication went a very long way, though, and we were able to do the best we could with what we could. In the end, 2020 was actually my most successful year as a photographer and for my husband as a videographer. I believe it was because couples started to view value the purpose of documentation in a completely new light. Believing that it’s all about mindset and making the most of every situation. With us capturing their most precious memories, they were then able to share the experience of their wedding day to all of those guests who were unable to attend.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an elopement and wedding photographer. I joyfully serve couples who choose commitment and love. I am inclusive and love working with all types of couples in love. Whatever your gender, sexuality, religion, race – I want to help you celebrate your day! Whether you choose to have a big wedding or a small adventure elopement, I believe that you deserve to have the best day ever.
My team and I are here to document your day as it unfolds. We are fully focused on what this day means to you and how we can serve you to the best of our ability. I’m a huge advocate in the fact that your wedding day is about the legacy of your love story, and my hope in working with you is to elevate the true meaning of your day. It is about the vows you are promising to one another. It is about the laughter and joy found in the celebration of your love.
Our vibe is cool, calm, and collected. This helps make the process for you easy peasy and eliminates stress. Our style is warm, cozy, ethereal and candid. We’re here to take photos that make you FEEL those feels. Moments that make you say, “wow, that is so US!”
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Networking with other creatives in the wedding industry is so incredibly helpful. No one around us knew what navigating the wedding world was like except for other wedding vendors. Being able to hash out frustrations, receiving advice of what worked for others, and really just coming up with ideas on how to pivot as weddings had to shift in light of the new world. It was really important that we didn’t feel alone, you know? Outside of COVID, networking with other wedding creatives helps build client trust when couples are being referred. When a wedding coordinator refers me to a couple, the booking process feels even more seamless because the trust is already there, rather than a couple who finds me via Google. They already had that trust established for their coordinator to help them choose reputable vendors for their day.
Contact Info:
- Email: TMinspired@gmail.com
- Website: https://TMinspired.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/TMinspired
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/TMinspiredPhotography
Image Credits:
TMinspired Photography
