Meet Ashton Taylor | Creative Editorial Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashton Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashton, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
The end goal is to become a professional fashion/editorial photographer, hopefully in Atlanta. I want to be booked for magazine shoots, work with signed models, MUA’s, hairstylists, and assistants.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art started off in 2014 being dark, moody, almost creepy. Although quite creative in the scenes I shot, there were always dark undertones. I attribute this to my mental state I was in at the time. I have severe depression, anxiety, and bipolar II.

Over the span of about 7 years, my art has transformed into bold and colorful with unique angles. This transformation did not come easy.

During 2017, I began classes at the Creative Circus for photography. I went for one year, but I couldn’t finish due to the severity of depression I was in. I was NOT myself, I was a shell of a person. I was in such a deep hole I had to stop everything to get out. I wanted to quit photography for good. I began ECT (electroconvulsive therapy), and it saved my life. Once I finally got my life back, I began photography again, although quite slowly. I had no confidence, and I had to work hard to build that confidence up again. My family and close friends played a huge role in helping me build my confidence again.

Now, I cannot imagine my life without photography. It brings me joy, it connects me with other creative individuals, and it helps me see that I am a strong woman.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am going to make a list of what would be on my itinerary, In no particular order:

-The High Museum
-Little 5 Points
-Piedmont Park
-Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium
-See a play at the Fox Theater
-Atlanta Botanical Gardens
-Oakland Cemetery
-Westview Cemetery
-The Warren City Club
-Surins of Thailand
-Regal Tara Cinemas
-Revolution Doughnuts
-Upbeet
-Dancing Goats
-Java Lords
-Honeybubble
-a show at The Masquerade (the old one was better)
-a walk on the Beltline
-Little Trouble

Honestly, I could keep going.

I would have to say my favorite place in the city is Westview Cemetery. It has such beautiful architecture, and the grounds are quite vast. There is never anyone there, so it is quiet and serene, the perfect getaway spot.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Firstly, I would like to shoutout my parents. My parents bought me my first camera and other camera equipment along the way, and they have always encouraged me in my passion.

Secondly, I would like to shoutout my sister. She became my very first model, and has modeled for me ever since. She is always down to try my ideas and she also brings creative energy to our shoots, which inspires me.

Website: www.ashtontaylorphotography.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/ashingtontaylor

Image Credits
@heypandacakes @sydneysennettt @kintrig @brookerytales