Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Thomas.
Hi Taylor, 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?
Growing up, I often felt overlooked, especially in how I was represented in photos. I have a hearing disability and a birthmark on the left side of my face, and for a long time, I internalized the idea that those parts of me needed to be hidden or “fixed” to be accepted. That experience shaped how I saw myself and eventually, how I saw others moving through the world.
Photography became a turning point. What started as curiosity quickly became purpose when I realized I could create the kind of images I always needed….ones that didn’t erase what made someone unique, but instead honored it. Inspired in part by my father, who was also a photographer, I began exploring how visuals could be both expressive and healing.
Before photography, dance was one of my first creative outlets. I trained in styles like hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary, and it taught me how to connect with my body, express emotion, and move with intention. That background has become a defining part of my work today. Instead of relying on stiff, traditional posing, I guide my clients through movement-based, almost like a flow or rhythm, so they’re not just posing, they’re expressing themselves. It helps them feel more natural, confident, and fully present in front of the camera.
Over the past six years, I’ve built a personal branding and portrait photography business rooted in that mission. Today, I work primarily with purpose-led women entrepreneurs who are evolving, women who are stepping into new levels of visibility, leadership, and impact, and want visuals that actually reflect who they are now. My approach blends strategy with creativity, using movement, storytelling, and a vibrant, high-energy experience to help my clients feel confident, seen, and fully expressed.
Alongside my work as a photographer, I’ve also built a career as a Marketing Manager, which allows me to bring a deeper layer of intention to every session. I don’t just think about how photos look, I think about how they work, how they position my clients, how they connect, and how they help them grow.
At the core of it all, my work is about helping people see themselves differently to recognize their presence, their story, and their “razzle dazzle” as something worth celebrating, not shrinking. And that’s what continues to drive me every day.
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?
I’m glad you asked this one because the honest answer is, it hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think that’s been one of the most defining parts of my journey.
There have been both internal and external challenges along the way. Internally, a lot of my growth has come from unlearning the belief that I needed to shrink parts of myself to be accepted, whether that was how I look, how I show up, or even how boldly I speak about my work. Stepping into visibility, especially as someone who once felt unseen, required a level of confidence and self-trust that I had to build over time.
There were also seasons where I felt disconnected from myself, from my creativity, and from my voice. Balancing a full-time career while building a business came with its own challenges, and there were moments where burnout, self-doubt, and uncertainty made me question my path.
On the business side, like many entrepreneurs, I’ve had to navigate the realities of building something from the ground up learning how to market myself, refining my offers, finding the right clients, and understanding my value. There were times when things felt slow, when inquiries were quiet, or when I had to rebuild and reposition as I evolved.
But each of those challenges shaped the way I show up today. They’ve made me more intentional, more resilient, and more connected to the people I serve. I don’t just understand what it feels like to want to be seen, I’ve lived it. And that’s what allows me to create a space where my clients feel supported, confident, and empowered to fully step into who they are.
Looking back, I wouldn’t describe the journey as smooth, but I would absolutely describe it as purposeful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a personal branding and self-love photographer who helps people feel seen, embodied, and confidently expressed through visual storytelling.
I specialize in working with purpose-led women entrepreneurs who are stepping into higher levels of visibility, whether they’re rebranding, growing their business, or owning their voice as a leader. My work goes beyond taking beautiful photos. I combine strategy, storytelling, and movement to create images that not only look good, but actually work for my clients’ brands.
I’m especially known for my movement-based approach to posing, inspired by my background in dance. Instead of stiff, traditional direction, I guide clients through natural, flowing movements that help them feel more confident and at ease in front of the camera. Paired with my experience as a Marketing Manager, my sessions are both creative and intentional, designed to capture who my clients are and position them powerfully.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just photograph people, I reflect who they’re becoming. I create a space where my clients can fully show up, without shrinking or performing, and that’s where the magic happens.
What I’m most proud of is how my work shifts the way people see themselves. When someone walks away feeling more confident, more visible, and more aligned in how they show up. And that’s everything to me.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Beyond the camera, I’m happiest spending time with my friends and family, traveling, or indulging in gooey chocolate chip cookies.
I also find a lot of joy in the creative process itself. Whether it’s curating a concept, playing with movement, or bringing energy and music into a shoot, it feels like a full-circle moment from my background in dance. It allows me to create an experience that’s not just about photos, but about expression, confidence, and freedom.
There’s a moment during my sessions where something shifts. My clients go from feeling nervous or unsure to fully owning their presence, their personality, and their story. Being able to guide someone to that place and then reflect it back to them through images, is incredibly fulfilling.
lastly, knowing that my work has a lasting impact. When someone uses their photos to show up more boldly in their brand, attract aligned opportunities, or simply feel more at home in who they are, that’s what makes it all meaningful.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about what I create, it’s about how people feel and who they become in the process.
Pricing:
- Personal Branding Sessions starting at $697
- Portrait Sessions starting at $697
- Headshot Sessions starting at $297
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.taylorathomas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorathomasstudio/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorathomas1/
