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vendor reviews: photographers
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Talent, technique and a fly-on-the-wall approach to shooting, Taylor Jackson aims to make brides & grooms look like rock stars Reviewing Taylor Jackson of Taylor Jackson Photography
For Taylor Jackson, owner of Taylor Jackson Photography, a camera is just a tool of the trade, one that doesn’t necessarily make a good photographer. He says it’s the person behind the camera that truly makes the photo what it is - whether that be good, bad, inspiring, sweet or just another shot. And for the past three years, Taylor has been the person behind that camera. Though his work speaks for itself, he is self-defined as a fun, unique photographer who has a true passion for making your wedding day photos amazing. Taylor's goal is to capture your personalities, shooting in an easy going, non-traditional style, all while being a ‘fly-on-the-wall’ and an extension to your wedding party. He aims to interact more like a friend would, than a photographer. Taylor says he's different because he's quick on his feet, inspired by all forms of photography and cinematography, and (thanks to a ton of concert photography!) can make the best in any lighting condition. In fact, his goal with every shoot is to make his clients look like total rock stars, so it's not a surprise that brides love him.
We met with Taylor in Uptown Waterloo (though he does shoot weddings all over Southwestern Ontario), checked out his gorgeous portfolio and set out to discover as much as we could about the man who says that wedding photography is the greatest thing he could be doing with his life – and is. Let us tell you more...
Personally speaking... A graduate of Computer Programming, which Taylor sees as pretty much the most opposite thing to photography he could have gone to school for, he worked a single co-op job and decided that it wasn’t what he wanted to do with his life. Though, it did end up coming in a bit handy when he created his first website.
While Computer Programming wasn’t for him, Taylor says that photography had always been his ‘If I won the lottery, what would I be doing?’ answer, so he was (and is) ecstatic when it became his life – “Not just a full time job; it’s an entire lifestyle,” says Taylor.
Taylor is self-taught with help of the never ending information on the internet. He started out as a Concert Photographer, which he did for seven years, photographing some huge names in the music biz (like Deftones, Arcade Fire and about 400 more). “Concert photography is one of the hardest genres of photography to master, so I used that as an accelerated learning program,” Taylor told The Ring. He adds that “it was a smooth transition into weddings from concerts and music. You deal with a lot of the same challenges – capturing once in a lifetime moments while not interrupting them, making the best out of the lighting conditions you are given (or lack of lighting entirely), and just being quick on your feet and predicting moments before they happen. Oh, and making everyone involved look like a total rock star.”
One of Taylor’s concert photographs was even picked up by Fox’s American Idol and run on air as part of their logo for a few seasons. Taylor told us that he shot the photo on a 3.2 megapixel point and shoot camera, which he says is “proof that $20,000 in camera equipment doesn’t make a good photographer – a camera is just a tool, it’s the person behind the camera that makes the photo.” Regardless of that fact, Taylor adds that he now shoots with a much better camera.
With three years of wedding photography experience now part of his repertoire, Taylor says that he wouldn’t want to do anything else. “Some photographers use weddings as a way to get into ‘bigger and better’ things; for me, weddings are my ‘bigger and better’ thing.”
Taylor is the Lead Photographer at his company and sometimes has an assistant and/or second photographer present on your wedding day if needed. He says assistants and second shooters range from students to his girlfriend (who he says also happens to be a certified makeup artist, hair stylist, and a great photographer) to the occasional seasoned professional who has five or more years of experience shooting weddings, and just happened to have a Saturday off.
The man and style behind the camera... Taylor is a believer that similar styles attract, which is why he says he tends to attract fun, unique couples – because he’s a fun, unique photographer. Plus, he says it doesn’t hurt that he’s a bit of a closet diva. “Finally all of those episodes you’ve watched of America’s Next Top Model have a place in your life,” Taylor says. He also sets out to capture your lifestyle, not just your wedding day. He says, “If you’re a fun, happy, quirky, easy going, quick-to-laugh bride, I want your wedding photos to convey that. Actually, if you’re a fun, happy, quirky, easy going, unique, quick-to-laugh bride, I want to be your wedding photographer.”
Lili Jacinto was one such bride who felt that Taylor truly captured her and her husband’s personalities and lifestyle during their November 2008 wedding photo re-shoot (they were actually married August 12, 2006, but weren’t happy with the photos they received). Lili told us that Taylor made everything very comfortable for her and her husband, “He kind of just let us do our own thing. He pulled ideas from us and incorporated them into his vision, without making us look like people other than ourselves.” She adds that Taylor’s advertisement for leaving “all the traditional wedding photography at the door" is true as he allowed her and her husband’s personalities to shine during their shoot. “We were very happy to have someone understand what we wanted. You can tell his brain works differently; as if he can see the picture on paper before he takes it.”
It’s Taylor’s personality and ability to capture couples’ true personalities that he thinks are just a couple of reasons why brides love him. “You’re hiring me, not just a robot with a camera. I want your wedding day to be amazing,” says Taylor, and brides seem to agree. Alicja Krol had an engagement shoot with Taylor already and booked him for her October 2009 wedding. She told us that she loves the candid nature of Taylor’s photos and the fact that he is able to capture not only the most important and main events, but also the little subtle pieces that are priceless. “Taylor is very easy going,” Alicja told us. “He doesn't make you feel like you’re posing or smiling for the camera. You just have to be yourself and he will capture the moment!"
One of Taylor’s many passions for his “job” is his love for making every day, normal people look amazing. He told us that he draws inspiration from other photographers and cinematographers – “Everything from a high fashion spread in Vogue to Tarantino’s latest release.” It’s probably this inspiration that comes out in his photos that draws a lot of clients who are also photographers, graphic designers and other media type. When we asked Taylor why he thinks couples hire him to be their wedding photographer, he said because “They’re just looking for something unique and fresh,” which he tries to keep his photography as by only booking twenty-five each year.
Jenny and Greg Ostler, who had Taylor photograph their October 2008 wedding, say that his work was absolutely original. “When you go through Taylor’s work you'll see that he doesn't just repeat the same shot with every couple,” says Jenny, “he customizes it to the location and personality of the event.”
Not just a photographer... More than just an easy going, non-traditional wedding photographer, Taylor says that he is essentially an extension to your wedding party for your wedding day, which is why it’s so important to him that you get along. “The number one goal of my day is to make sure that you enjoy the wedding photography experience,” says Taylor, “if you’re enjoying the experience, having fun and loving the day, it’s so easy to capture amazing photos.”
While he likes to think of himself as part of the wedding party, Taylor says he won’t be quite as visible as your actual wedding party as most of his work is done ‘fly-on-the-wall-style’. In fact, you probably won’t even notice him at all half of the time. He also follows the motto of a wise wedding photographer who once said ‘I like to show up to your wedding like an old friend with a fancy camera’.
Alicja told us that her and her fiancé were nervous for their engagement session with Taylor as they weren’t into cheesy, posed photos and were afraid that the shoot would be awkward. They met Taylor at a coffee shop before the shoot to chat then headed off to their photo location for their one hour shoot, which actually turned out to be almost three hours. “We were just walking and talking with Taylor like we'd known him forever,” says Alicja. “When Taylor is shooting you, you wont' feel like he is an outside photographer, more like a friend who just happens to be hired to shoot your wedding. The photo shoot just flows so well. You do your thing and Taylor captures the moment in the most unexpected ways.”
Taylor adds that he wants to be more than just your photographer for the day, he wants to be someone that you’re thrilled to see on your wedding day – something that Alicja and her fiancé said they couldn’t wait for after their engagement shoot. “I also want a bride who will add me to Facebook and will keep in touch between booking, the wedding, and afterwards,” says Taylor.
Packages & prices Other than delivering an amazing experience and beautiful images, Taylor also says that he has no problem helping to make sure things run on time throughout your wedding day. “I will generally do anything for my brides,” he says. In fact, when we met with Taylor he had just returned from an out of town wedding where he drove five hours from San Francisco to a remote town in California for a thirty-four person backyard wedding. He says it was “One hundred degrees with no wind; but we had so much fun!”
Taylor says he does engagement shoots with about 95% of his couples. “They’re great. No pressure, just have some fun with a camera,” says Taylor. Plus, it gives the couple a feel for being in front of the camera, and “that added level of confidence that I’m going to do a great job on your wedding day,” adds Taylor.
Engagement albums that are to be used as guest books on the wedding day are the most popular product that Taylor offers. He says it’s because “People are just tired of signing around that single matted, blown up photo, or a boring guest book.” These albums are designed and bound with a lot of white space around the photos for messages and signatures from guests, explains Taylor.
As for packages with Taylor, regardless of which one you book, you get all of the images he captures (unmarked and in high resolution) on a DVD. Coffee table-style albums and parent albums are also available, as well as slideshows, on location ‘photo booths,’ and “whatever else you can dream up – there’s always a way to do it,” says Taylor. At one of his upcoming weddings he’s even setting up an on-location studio and printing out 5x7 prints as guest favours. Alicja spoke with Taylor about having short video clips taken while he shoots her wedding so that she and her husband can have a live glimpse into important parts of their wedding. “As usual, Taylor was extremely flexible and able to accommodate us,” she says.
Your images are also put up in an online gallery, which is particularly handy for out of town guests to view and purchase directly from; “That way, you don’t have to print out photos and collect cheques from family members,” says Taylor.
Because every wedding is unique, so too are Taylor’s packages, so you should contact him to find out for sure how much your photo sessions would cost. Commissions start at $2000 with the average bride spending between $2500 and $4500.
Taylor's prices were one of the reasons that Alicja hired him for her wedding photography as she felt that they were “Very reasonable and within our budget.” Jenny and Greg described Taylor’s prices with one word: “Phenomenal! When I booked with him I explained that I was looking for an hour of photography… he was willing to come down to Toronto for such a short shoot. We got full value (and really, much more) for what we paid and couldn't be happier.” Jenny adds that she would, without hesitation, recommend Taylor. “He was incredibly personable, reasonably priced and professional. Taylor worked very hard to ensure we got great photos and were happy with the results, which we absolutely were!”
Walking you through it… Other than the awesome couples that book with Taylor (who he says make his business what it is), Taylor is the key player in his company – the one who meets with brides and is the lead photographer on their wedding day. He also brings an Assistant and/or Second Photographer.
Jenny and Greg told us that “Taylor and his assistant were incredibly friendly and easy to talk to.” Jenny adds that “Taylor was very open to suggestions Greg or I had and let us play, have fun and then captured those moments.”
Taylor says that most couples book one year to fourteen months before their wedding, but last minute bookings are always a possibility - it really depends on his availability. Call or email him to find out if he's free for your day and to book a time to meet with him wherever it's convenient for you. He says he usually meets couples in local coffee shops. During this first meeting, Taylor talks with you about your wedding day and makes sure you both connect. "I want to make sure I'm the right person to photograph your wedding," he says. "I always do my best work when working with other creative, fun couples."
Most brides book Taylor during their first meeting with him or over email (because they’re so happy to have found him), he told us; but he adds that he’s “always willing to meet as many times as necessary to be sure that you’ve made the right decision.” Don’t hesitate too long, though, as he only books twenty-five weddings per year, and told us when we met with him in May 2009 that 2010 was already booking up fast.
A $1500 deposit, or 50% of your package price (whichever is less) is required to book Taylor with the balance due two weeks before the wedding when you contact him to discuss final details of the day.
Sometime between booking and your wedding day you can book an engagement session with Taylor. Then, a few weeks before your wedding day, you’ll touch base with him again so he can get the final details of the day and draft up a schedule.
On the wedding day, Taylor likes to keep things fun and relaxed while being sure to document your day. "Typically I'm there from the final stages of getting ready until the first dances or cake cut - whichever comes last," says Taylor. In the days following your wedding, a few highlighted images will pop up on Taylor's blog so you can have a sneak peak while you're on your honeymoon. Your disk of images is usually ready about four weeks after your wedding, and albums are done within three months, says Taylor.
Details, details, details • Call or email Taylor (before his 25 spaces for wedding photography fill up) to book a meeting, or reserve him for your day right away. He recommends booking 12 to 14 months before your wedding. • Wedding commissions start at $2000 and vary depending on your needs and what extras you want; all packages come with a DVD of all high resolution images. The average bride spends between $2500 and $4500. • A deposit of $1500 or 50% of your photography package (whichever is less) is required to book with the remaining balance due 2 weeks before your wedding. • You can expect your disk of images about 4 weeks after your wedding and your album within 3 months.
Call or email Taylor Jackson to set up an appointment, or to inquire about specific pricing details. He can be contacted at 519-222-1089 or taylorjackson@gmail.com. You should also check out his awesome blog, that gets 600 to 1000 hits a day from all over the world. But be warned, you could easily spend hours and hours checking out all of his photos and stories. While you’re online, visit Taylor’s website at www.taylorjacksonphoto.com.
- The Staff at TheWeddingRing.ca * Prices are all approximate and are subject to change and verification by authorized staff and management of Taylor Jackson Photography. |
