Although we’ve not met in person yet, through mutual pals, tweets and emails over the last year, London based wedding photographer
Marianne Taylor has become a good friend of The Photography Parlour.
Her work is regularly featured in national bridal magazines and she is in high demand with clients all over the world, so we are very lucky to welcome her here! Over to Marianne…
How long have you been doing photography?
Photography has been a part of my life always, consciously for over 20 years.
Why did you first get into photography and what made you love it?
From very early on I had a need to record life around me, and photography was the perfect way to do it. I would make a photo album for each running year, and also for special events such holidays, up until I moved completely to digital, and moved onto to blogging and online galleries. It kind of makes sense to me that I would end up telling stories of people’s special days through pictures… Even though I didn’t think of this consciously when I took up wedding photography, it makes perfect sense to me now.
As far taking the step into a more artistic type of photography, that was a gradual progress. From a very young age I used to draw and paint constantly, and that was very much my form of artistic expression, while photography was more about the recording of events and people. Throughout the years my focus started to shift and I would express myself more and more through my photographs, and less through paintings. These days I really don’t draw or paint at all, my mind seems to have switched completely over to creating with a camera (especially in my personal work).
Do you have any formal training, and do you think this is important?
I have been to art college and taken courses in photography, but what I think is most important is to keep photographing and developing your eye. Nothing beats hands on experience. For example, all the long days and nights spent in darkrooms developing prints were not a waste of time, but rather trained my eye to see what I want to get out of a picture and where I want to take it. It’s an immense help even in the digital age, knowing what you want to do with the tools you’ve got.
What is your all-round favourite lens?
Canon 35L.
What have you found the hardest thing about being a photographer?
All the other parts of running a business than the photography. And there are loads! It can certainly make this career choice seem a bit tedious at times.
What tips or advice (apart from second shooting) could you give to someone wanting to become a professional photographer?
Do you research. Make sure you have the appropriate insurances and other things in place. Make sure you have the appropriate gear for the type of photography you do, including computer hardware and software and a back-up system. Be prepared to work hard, even if the majority of that work is tasks that you don’t necessarily enjoy. If you succeed, the good bits will eventually outweigh the less enjoyable ones.
Which books or magazines would you recommend reading and why?
I remember reading “
Photographer’s Market Guide to Building Your Photography Business” at some point before starting my business, and while it’s a bit outdated and not that specific, it did give me that initial spark, which is essential if you want to take the leap. Especially when starting out,
Photo Pro Magazine was an invaluable source of information. It is still my favourite out of all the photography magazines available in the UK at the moment.
The books I find most valuable are the inspiring ones though. I have a severe addiction to photography books and never tire of looking at them (or going to photography exhibitions). Here are a few of my favourites:
What has been your proudest moment in your photographic journey so far?
Having one of my pictures be part of an exhibition at
Tate Britain was a pretty nice moment. But really, every time a happy customer thanks me for capturing their day, I feel proud to be able to provide them with those beautiful memories. There’s really nothing that compares to a good reaction from a client, this is one of the only jobs in the photography field where you get such direct and personal feedback from a client.
Lookit my huge mug up there.
Thank you Rosie, really loved being part of your new exciting project!
Great read, thanks Marianne. I love your blog but it was great to hear more detail about how you do your job x
I never tire of looking at your beautiful images Marianne, great to get even more insight into your work:)
woo, great interview, love Marianne’s work!