Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Sumner.
Hi Taylor, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I picked up a camera in 2016 because my friend did ( i saw Cady Heron wearing army pants & flip flops, so i bought army pants and flip-flops) I started taking super weird pictures with my best friends at the strangest and looking back now, very questionable places. I put myself and 3 of my friends in dryers at the laundry matt and that just shook it up for my tiny mid west town. we digress.
my best friend had a camera, wanted to practice on my husband and i and that as it for me basically. i was like, wow this is all so fun, even if i wasn’t necessarily behind the camera at that point. i think being comfortable in front of the camera makes you that much more comfortable behind it as well. so long story short, i got a camera gifted from my mom and Nana for Christmas in 2016… a little rebel t3i (we love her) she got me through a lot. i started shooting weddings full time in November of 2017, 9 years is crazy. I’m thankful to have been in this industry through so many different things going on. the come up, and boom of Instagram and wedding photography becoming popular, and then COVID hitting and figuring out how to navigate my business through that… which obviously succeeded and i’m so proud of myself for those years. I’ve traveled to places that i couldn’t of even dreamnt about growing up. i’ve formed life long friendships, i’ve drove probably a million miles, i’ve lit my hair on fire at a reception, i’ve put my life in a lot of strangers hands, and have cried so many happy tears. After all of those insane past 8 years, im currently at a great spot, taking it easy and every single thing i photograph right now speaks to me in really special ways.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t want to sound “like that” but ive been super lucky to not really experience a ton of struggles or hard times during my journey. I’d say that maybe something that sticks out to me is just being over worked, and doing it to myself. saying yes because i want to sooo bad, even when maybe i was over doing it. those 2 years after COVID were a lot of me physically. i traveled so many for weddings. which is what we all want right? Destination weddings, in the mountains, yay!!!! but after being on a place 26 times from January to may, i was feeling it. and this is a hill i will die on, not everything is glamours just because you get to travel for work. flights get missed or canceled, days are long, nights are short, etc. growing in my career has given me the opportunity to figure out a balance that suits me much better now.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My name is Taylor Sumner. I am a travel wedding photographer based out of metro Detroit. I’ve been a full time photographer for 9 years. I specialize in elopements, destination weddings, and couples photography. Work wise, i am most proud of how i make people feel with my photos and art. Reading these reviews back from my clients seriously fills my heart up to the brim. Personally, i am most proud of making a life and career out of love when i was raised with not a lot of it. I feel so deeply and love so hard that i think it truly makes me a more successful wedding photographer and maybe human as well.
If i had to be on the outside looking in trying to see what sets me apart from others, i would probably have to say my personality, and how my super power is to make people feel comfortable. There are so many insanely talented photographers around, i can’t compete with some talent, but i know the second people meet me they’re locked in.
How do you define success?
Success to me is having or doing something you didn’t have before. Success to me is building something from your passion or art, its happiness, its peaceful.
Pricing:
- 4-6K wedding photography
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Taylorsumnerphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorsumnerphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Taylorsumnerphotography/
