Taylor Bellais Photography
Branding by Emma Rose Company
PROJECT DETAILS
Taylor Bellais Photography
An interview with Taylor
Where and/or how did your passion for what you do begin?
“I found Photography after getting my first choice elective my senior year of high school! At that time I was battling depression for the first time in my life and it became very therapeutic and healing for me. It was the first time I felt like I was actually good at something. After a while I got brave and started posting some of my projects for fun on Facebook and eventually a few friends asked if I wanted to take their Senior Photos! I loved getting to spend quality time with them and making them feel beautiful! After posting those, I had people offering to pay me and I was shocked to find that I actually loved getting to meet new people and explore fun places around my hometown with them! So by 17 years old I had a little business on my hands that I had no intention of even starting.”
What is the BEST lesson you've learned since starting your own business? Also, what do you WISH someone would have told you in the beginning?
“The best lesson I’ve learned is that you can do a lot with what you have. I started my business with a point and shoot Kodak camera and have grown a thriving business from that. I have almost quit because I just didn’t feel like I had the resources or money to do the things I wanted and have continued to learn that as I continue to grow little by little. One thing I wish someone had told me, in the beginning, is that growth doesn’t happen overnight. I think a lot of business owners play the comparison game and assume that success happened overnight for a lot of the people they look up to. It’s been slow and steady growth for me and I have to constantly remind myself that it’s okay to take my time.”
When did you realize it was time for a rebrand and/or new website?
“I realized it was time for a new website and rebrand over the summer when I was digging into how to create a better experience for my clients but still using the same logo and website I threw together when I was 18. I’ve grown a lot since I started and I thought it was about time that my brand and website reflect that!”
What was your experience like with your own brand/website update?
“Working with Emma was amazing! She was able to guide me so well and really got me thinking about who my client is and what I wanted my brand and website to reflect in a way I had never thought about it before.”
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about hiring a designer to help them with their website?
“The task of trying to build a website and update it on my own with no experience was honestly very overwhelming for me. I feel like a have a home for my business that looks a million times more professional without having to stay up all night driving myself nuts figuring things out myself.”
S Q U A R E S P A C E T E M P L A T E :: Maple
I F Y O U E N J O Y E D T H I S P O S T , Y O U M I G H T A L S O L I K E :
A note from the designer
I am a self-made, self-taught photographer, web designer and educator who’s learned most of the lessons I teach the absolute hardest way. I fell in love with photography (and, really my own creativity) after my own wedding when I borrowed my father’s camera just to play around with it — turns out when you do something you love, you want to do it all.the.time.
I learned along the way what burnout looks and feels like and made it my mission to help other creative entrepreneurs avoid it all together. Instead of quitting on my dreams, I decided to turn my life around and all of that started with me. I started running and working out, lost 50+ pounds on a health and wellness journey and finally found my happiness along the way.
Using the same accountability I did in my personal journey, I began to put systems in place (and a team of people who support me) to finally run a business I love and show up well for my family, friends and clients.
Now, in all facets of my business I get to help lead others to do the same.