Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Taylor.
Hi Joey, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I work as a Photographer and Engineering Field Technician here in San Diego. I grew up in Normal Heights and since graduating from college, have fulfilled my dream of living next to the ocean in San Diego. Ocean Beach has been my home for the past four years and I’m confident that I live in the happiest neighborhood on Earth. My love of photography developed in Flagstaff, Arizona through my desire to document my class field trips and adventures with friends. I was inspired by the landscapes that I saw on my field mapping projects while pursuing an undergraduate degree in Geology at Northern Arizona University and did my best to capture the beauty with my camera along the way.
After college, I moved back to San Diego and started working for a geotechnical engineering consultant here in San Diego, continued to work on my photography on the side. After years of devotion, it has been nice to see results these past few years. My work is finally to the level that I want it to be, and I’m getting more consistent photography jobs. I’ve worked on a Huawei commercial, worked with photographers from surfers mag, made it on the news, traveled across the world- all due to my pursuit and my drive to capture a moment in time and to inspire others to get outside. It’s not something that I think about, I just let it happen. I hope to quit my full-time job within the next two years and pursue my dream of being a full-time travel photographer.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?Breaking my back in 2015 slowed me down at first. I was in recovery for weeks after my surgery and wasn’t sure if I’d be able to meet the physical requirements of my upcoming Geology field camp course. During my recovery, I browsed Instagram and dreamed of the day when I could be out in the fresh air again enjoying nature’s beauty. I would watch a video showcasing the beauty of Havasupai (an area in the Grand Canyon and filmed by Graham Merwin) over and over again, envisioning myself pursuing my photographic journey after I was healed from my injury. Four months later, I found myself backpacking down to Havasupai waterfalls while wearing a back brace and with my camera. I captured some of my all-time favorite photos on that trip, and I subconsciously sold my soul away to photography on that trip. I have been obsessed with it ever since.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
For six years, I’ve been working as an Engineering Field Technician for a Geotechnical Engineering Consultant here in San Diego. I’m the field representative for a land development’s soils engineer and geologist and perform all of the field activities for the project managers. I observe the grading contractor throughout the first stages of the construction process and use a nuclear density gauge to test their work to make sure they meet the compaction and moisture requirements specified by the soils report. Basically, I ensure that the ground is stable enough to build on. and that houses don’t fall off cliffs 🙂
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk taking is something that I feel is required in my style of travel/landscape/lifestyle photography. Everyone has a legitimate smartphone with a camera these days, so you really have to make an effort to find a unique view to capture. Being completely transparent, I like to take every day to the limit, and risk taking has been the key to my success and my downfall. Sometimes my wild ideas pay off, like when I got all my friends together to film a nighttime surfing session in bioluminescent waters. I felt completely bonkers jumping into the ocean with my 20 pound water housing and fins during the middle of the night… but I knew it was worth the risk. I ended up putting together my most popular video from the footage I got that night and got hired to my highest paying job so far helping to put together a commercial for Huawei. On the other hand… I’ve taken risks that have gone completely wrong. One time shortly after covid hit, I took a road trip to the Eastern Sierras and set my telephoto lens and tripod up next to my car in a remote section of Bishop, CA, and I hiked about a mile to be the subject in my composition in my photo. Right after I finished the hike, a snowstorm blew in and I basically got lost in a complete white out. I hiked for 20 minutes in the direction where I thought my car was, but ended up where I started! I was extremely worried at this point and tried hiking back to my car again. I ran into a herd of deer on the way back. I’ll never forget one deer had about 3 inches of snow balancing on its nose. I was getting desperate at this point and I asked the deer to show me the way back to my car. Shortly after, I remember that my initial hike was slightly uphill, so I made a point to hike downhill, though the ground seemed essentially flat. I eventually made it to my car and will never forget how elated I was. With the heavy snowstorm, I did not get the shot that I had hoped for…I was just happy to be safe. Since this instance, I’ve been more careful about the risks I take… yet, I will still do whatever it takes to bring my vision to life.
Contact Info:
- Email: geojoe619@gmail.com
- Instagram: @joeytaylorphotography
Image Credits
All pictures were taken by myself @joeytaylorphotography
