Check Out Taryn Segal’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taryn Segal.

Taryn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a lifelong artist. Anyone who grew up with me would probably remember me more for drawing, but my camera was around too. I went to school for film to focus in writing and directing after I took a film studies class in high school that coincidentally filled a gap in my schedule. It ended up being a life-changing incident. Primarily, I reside in the photo world now, but truly what I am is a director, and photography is a way for me to exercise that muscle. There’s an abundance in opportunity to direct a stranger or a close friend I’m shooting. I tend to gravitate towards motion and emotion. I like mood, I like intention, and my two greatest passions are the thing that manipulates time and space (film) and the other being the thing that stops it (photography).

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 fought school like it was a real living person that was sent to kick my shins, pull my hair, and keep me up at night. School was always rough, I battled with teachers over assignments, scored poorly on tests, I would sleep in class, overall I wasn’t very present and had trouble connecting with my peers, and then I’d go home and have trouble connecting with my parents. (Things are at peace now.) Once I graduated from college, I was able to run from school without ever looking back. I felt alive. I started shooting constantly. I no longer had the weight of this awful obligation of somewhere I had to be holding me back. It’s crucial to participate in life, especially if you’re an artist. I now find myself pushing myself harder and approaching what I do with more enthusiasm than ever. I create with intention and on my own terms.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My photography is an encyclopedia of all things I find cool and interesting. My personality sense of humor is present in all art I make regardless of the medium. Photography is so physical without ever touching your subject. I find myself following people holding bouquets of flowers for blocks, I’ll try to get into the same train car as someone holding balloons or some other large object in hopes of timing the stops to take a photo of them through the window. Maybe we’re having a conversation and I see how the light falls on you and I have to climb on top of a bench or table to make the shot more dynamic. Maybe we don’t even know each other but I saw you as I was walking by and I just had to approach you and ask for a photo. This is what’s fun to me and a part of my process.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
You have got to send those cold emails and cold dms. Show personality and be earnest, and limit your use of exclamation points.

Contact Info:

• Website: Tarynsegal.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/taryn._

Image Credits
Photo of me wearing red is taken by Izzy Dent. All other photos taken by Taryn Segal