In only four short years as a professional photographer Crash Taylor has become one of the world’s finest wedding photographers. In 2009, he was voted one of the UK’s top 10 winter wedding photographers by Professional Photographer magazine. In 2010, he became editor-at-large of Professional Photographers new magazine Turning Pro and is a regular contributor to Professional Photographer and Photography Monthly magazines. He is the innovative author of two highly acclaimed photography blogs, providing fascinating insights into the creative process of the world’s top photographers and serves as a source of inspiration to photographers worldwide. Crash has been featured in numerous publications and is also an award winning member of the prestigious [AG]WPJA and on the board of the Best of Wedding Photography: the premier invitation only membership group for the world’s finest wedding photographers. He photographs 30 wedding adventures each year and has captured weddings in Spain, France, Finland and Hawaii. Although Crash’s greatest joy is spending quality time with his wife and young son, he somehow makes time in his hectic schedule to teach workshops and seminars, which are in great demand throughout the UK and internationally. In this exclusive interview, he talks about his love for beach houses and Mexican food among other things photography.

What inspired you to take up wedding photography?
Having had a love affair with photography since I was a child, when I received the photos of my own wedding I truly believed I could have done so much better technically and creatively. So I decided then and there to show the world I was right.

How different is documentary wedding photography from the conventional version?
A documentary style of a wedding necessitates in-depth dialogue with the bride and groom as well as family members to ensure their penchants and dreams are woven into photographic images on their wedding day. Normal wedding photography is much more a composition of the photographer calling the shots.

Normal wedding photography is much more a composition of the photographer calling the shots.

How involved are you in choosing the look, makeup and costumes for your shoots?
Normally at my weddings, there is a wedding planner who has coordinated all of the above with the bride and groom. However, for my personal shoots, I generally co-ordinate the location, the models, costumes, and the entire team.

How would you define your style of photography?
My photographic style can best be described as an eclectic blend of images inspired by the fleeting ephemeral blend of shadows and substance enveloping the eternal magic of a wedding celebration.

What is the hardest part of being a wedding photographer?
Making sure everything goes as planned. It never does but it’s worth a try.

We know you are fond of Mexican and Chinese food. Have you ever tried your hand at food photography?
I’m a huge people person and shooting food just seems so boring. Also I would probably eat the food before taking the camera out of the bag.

You have said that you reserve your photography for a sophisticated and discerning client who truly appreciates style and wants the very best. So do you restrict yourselves to only a certain number of assignments per year?
Sure do. I only photograph 20-25 high end weddings per year. I’m also a magazine editor for Turning Pro and contribute to Professional Photographer magazine. When I’m not shooting wedding and writing for the magazines, I photograph personal projects and teach photography workshops around the world.

Can you walk us through the preparations that go behind each of your shoots?
Preparations are a process of personal discussions with my assistant and covering the entire topography of wishes, location and desires. I generally cover a period of one to three months prior to the wedding.

I would probably eat the food before taking the camera out of the bag.

Given your love for the sea and beach houses, how often do you shoot weddings on a beach?
Not as much as I would like. Living in the middle of England is not the best place to get commissioned for beach weddings. I have photographed a few beach weddings in Hawaii, France, Spain and on the English coast.

Wedding photographs are meant to last longer. So what printing techniques do you use to achieve that?
My lab uses an Epson styles Pro 9900 wide format printer which is just mind blowing. I usually print on three papers which are the Epson Semi-Gloss, Hahnemuhle and digital c-type Fuji. I’m in the market for an Espon Stylus Pro 4880 for my personal work.

What are your thoughts on the increasing use of photo enhancing software in photography?
I don’t have a problem with it unless the photographer has no idea what he is doing. I love Photoshop and how it can enhance my images into works of art. The goal is to make sure that the image doesn’t looked photoshoped unless you are going for that effect.

What does Crash Taylor do when not photographing?
I spend as much time with my wife and son as possible. I also spend a huge amount of time and money collecting/investing in rare photography books and photographs. Yesterday I purchased a signed limited edition of Bruce Davidson’s East 100 Street from a dealer in New York. I also love the art of cinematography!

	Quick Seven: Your Favourite Printer: My Epson Stylus Photo R1900 Your Favourite Shoot: My current personal project with an amazing model named Ava. I hope to have a book self published in 2012 from this project. Your Preferred Location: Any city, especially Helsinki, Los Angeles, Paris, Barcelona, Japan and Mexico city. There is nothing better than roaming around a city with a camera, one prime lens and a beautiful model. Favourite Photographer: There are so many photographers who inspire me. The present time I’m loving the work of Juergen Teller, Stephen Shore, Todd Hido, Albert Watson, Mario Sorrenti, Daido Moriyama, Joel Grimes, Sally Mann, Patrick Dermarchelier, Vee Spears, Paolo Roversi and William Klein. I better stop as I could go on and on. Most memorable story: Losing a bride’s priceless Tiffany diamond ring for 20 minutes. It’s the last time I do that! Current photographers you like: Again there are so many but if I had to pick one, definitely my friend Rankin. Toughest day at work: Hopefully not my next wedding!!!

Photos by Crash Taylor | Fotosocial