Vendor Spotlight – Kelli & Daniel Taylor Photography

As always, we love interviewing local vendors to shed light on their work and them as people. This week we are sharing Kelli and Daniel Taylor Photography! Read along to find out more about them.

What was your dream job growing up?

The weirdest one was a private detective. All my other dream jobs involved story telling: reporter, writer, photographer. I’ve lived my dream jobs in newspapers, magazines, as a Harvard University instructor and in my own business. I’m so grateful to have a career doing exactly what I love. Earlier on, Daniel, my Australian husband, pursued semi-pro wind surfing and flying planes as a private pilot.

What does a typical wedding day look like for you?

I’m a night owl and Daniel is an early riser. On wedding mornings, Daniel gets up first and makes THE most perfect lattes. He brings mine to bed and we have extra time with our adorable hound dog before we leave. On the drive, I’m usually texting vendors to see how things are going. Then it’s full tilt all day! After we see the newlyweds off, we usually get Greek food at a 24-hour diner near our house. At our home office, we immediately begin backing up photos and choosing the best sneak peeks while we talk about the best moments of the day. Then, we collapse into bed.

How long have you been in business? Why did you decide to start a photography business?

We went full time with the business in 2009. Daniel and I were both photographers before we got married, but weddings weren’t our specialities. He worked in fashion and advertising and I was a journalist and sports writer. When we were engaged, I nearly lost my mind trying to find a photographer who listened, who asked creative questions, who wanted to understand our story and our style. So I created a photo blueprint for our wedding day. Neighbors loved our wedding photos and hired us. Their maid of honor enlisted us for our second wedding. When the newspaper industry I was in started drifting from detailed storytelling to news nuggets, I new I needed a fresh path. A few hundred wedding stories later, here we are.

What is your favorite part of a wedding day/event day?

I live for the moments no one else witnesses. First looks with dads, reading love letters, newlyweds recessing out the church doors with shiny new rings and a once-in-a-lifetime glow. It’s an honor and a thrill to capture such intimate life connections. I still can’t believe this is my real job.

What would be your dream event to photograph?

My dream event would be a surprise wedding, where family and friends think they are coming to a fabulous engagement party that’s actually the real ceremony. There would be adorable dogs in over-the-top floral collars and a ridiculous number of meaningful, coordinated details created by a top wedding planner and design team. We mere mortals can’t create the kind of cohesive, unforgettable event that the pros can, y’all.

What is your favorite location in Nashville to photograph?

Nashville always, always inspires us as artists. Sylvan Park is where Daniel and I first lived as husband and wife and we still call it our second home. For our classic couples, I can’t get enough of Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, and Belle Meade Plantation. For our adventurous couples, we have a favorite secret photo route from Franklin to Leiper’s Fork that’s just divine. The private homes in Nashville are also incredible for wedding photos.

Who would be your dream celebrity or your dream location to photograph?

My dream celebrity wedding would be a blend of style, elegance and fun. George and Amal Clooney, John Legend and Chrissy Teagan, or Taylor Swift and her future Mr. Right.

My dream location would be anywhere with serious snow and mountains. I’m thinking Aspen, Jackson Hole, Lake Tahoe, or any castle in Switzerland. I’m not picky.

If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?

I would go to Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, a 1930s manor house hotel and giraffe sanctuary. These gorgeous animals come to the hotel windows for guests to hand feed them breakfast and afternoon tea.

Thank you to Kelli and Daniel for giving us some insight into their business! Check out their website for more info!