Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonnet Taylor.
Jonnet, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Well, it all started in middle school when I was going to the 6th grade. I had to choose an elective for school and didn’t have much to choose from, I thought photography would be an easy “A” so I took it.
I learned how to make a pinhole camera out of a shoe box, develop film in the darkroom and even took some photos for the school yearbook. I took photography in school ever since then.
I bought my first SLR camera when I turned 18 and started taking pictures of my friends, skaters at my local park and some urban areas in my hometown. Later I was told about ModelMayhem.com and decided to sign up to start a portfolio, I got to meet a lot of artistic people with really creative ideas and from there I became who I am today.
Has it been a smooth road?
when I was younger it was smoother. I was getting into exploring new areas and doing more fun edgy shoots and a lot of people where interested in starting their modeling portfolio, so that helped me out a lot.
Nowadays, it seems to be a lot harder cause everyone now want to get paid instead of doing TF shoots,
So now I just stick with photo shooting friends and cosplayer’s at conventions cause they really enjoy when people take photos of their costumes and don’t mind doing it for free.
What’s your outlook for the industry over the next 5-10 years?
Honestly, I still see my photography as a hobby. I might be shooting more in the future cause all my friends are growing up – getting married and having kids, so I know they’ll ask me for photos. other than that, I don’t see much of a change.
What has been the primary challenge you’ve faced?
I think my biggest challenge was finding people to photoshoot.
Again, lots of models now don’t do TF shoots (time for) and I don’t feel comfortable paying models unless it’s my ideas which are more edgy ideas.
another big challenge I had was not being able to shoot at certain places unless I had a photo pass, like at concerts or museums, etc. I just never had the connections.
Let’s change gears – is there any advice you’d like to give?
practice makes perfect and just have fun with it! even if it takes you 40 times to take that one perfect photo, it’s all about patience and having fun!
Pricing:
- weddings and parties $10/HR +travel fee
- headshots and/or portraits $20
- studio style $50
Contact Info:
- Phone: 323-338-8344
- Email: JonnetCTaylor@hotmail.com
- Instagram: @hurricanecochina
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jonnietaylorphotography
