Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Taylor
Hi Max, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Photography has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a family of photographers and got my first point-and-shoot camera as a kid. But things really took off when my friend Matt and I started making short films together in middle school. Though I kept up with video work, my heart quickly shifted to photography.
By high school, I was deep into the craft—shooting constantly, investing in my first DSLR from lawn-mowing money, and connecting with pros through Facebook and community groups. I even competed in a photo competition with nine other photographers, where I was the only high school student and the rest were adults. As senior year rolled around, I was my school’s historian, working on large scale photo and video projects for the school.
Fast forward to today: while photography isn’t my full-time gig (yet), it’s been a steady source of side income and, more importantly, creative fulfillment. I’ve had the chance to work on film sets, collaborate with local production teams, and take on a mix of portrait and commercial photography. Over the past five years, live music photography has become my main focus, and I’ve been fortunate to work with both local and touring musicians. For several years, I’ve been part of the media team for Fork Fest, a local music festival, and I’ve built meaningful relationships with fellow artists and creatives both in Utah and beyond through it all. I have tremendous admiration for freelancers who’ve made this their full-time career, and think I’m still preparing for the right moment to fully dive in. With my degree in Psychology in hand and a camera always nearby, I’m excited to see where this creative journey leads next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For me, the biggest struggle has probably been my own mental blocks including the fear and insecurity of not feeling capable or the game of comparison. These are things that have easily stunted my progress as an artist, and have to continually keep myself in check to make sure those fears and insecurities aren’t controlling me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
While photography and my creative endeavors aren’t my full-time job (yet), I’m proud of the work I do as a psychiatric technician at a local hospital. It’s a challenging profession, but I’m fortunate to work with incredible individuals. Despite the flaws in our healthcare system, I’m continually inspired by the dedication and compassion of my colleagues. I strive to bring a positive attitude to work, uplifting those around me. Collaborating closely with the nursing staff, I find deep meaning in serving a population of individuals who are very vulnerable, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to my community in this way.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I try to be optimistic regarding future shifts or changes in the healthcare industry, particularly within the mental health field. I hope to see a shift towards a more holistic approach to patient care, where both mental and physical health are addressed together. Additionally, I look forward to advancements in workers’ rights within the healthcare sector, ensuring better support, fair treatment, and improved working conditions for all healthcare professionals.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrt_photog/
