We recently had the chance to connect with Leah Taylor and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Leah, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
One common misconception I hear is that the final product is all about the camera quality, but the truth is, camera gear is only as good as the person using it. You could give two people the same camera setup and get completely different results. It’s all about the vision, creativity, personality, and technical understanding that really shape the outcome.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Leah! I am the owner of Taylor Made Media, where I specialize in photography and videography for businesses, events, bands, and nightlife around Raleigh. What makes my work unique is that I have a documentary style approach. I’m not just taking photos and video clips, I’m telling stories by capturing the real, genuine moments that often go unnoticed that people can truly connect with. I’m currently working with several local bars, venues, small businesses and bands, helping them build content that not only documents their current events, but also elevates their brand. For me, it’s all about creating media that feels authentic, intentional, and impactful.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The person who really saw me before I saw myself was my older sister, Alexis. When she started her event planning company, she took me under her wing and quickly realized we needed content to show the work we were doing. Photography had always been a hobby of mine, but she believed in my vision and gave me her camera as a starting point. From there, the connections, opportunities, and confidence all began flowing in. Now, a year later, I have my own photography business, something I never imagined for myself. The manager at Whiskey Rose, Josh, also saw my potential right away after photographing an event there. He trusted my vision in the music and nightlife space and gave me a chance, which really helped me grow. Between the two of them, I feel like they saw this long-term path for me long before I did.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most has simply been starting, especially when making the leap into doing media full time. I think that hesitation came from the fear of failure and the weight of taking on full responsibility. But I’ve realized that waiting until everything feels perfect doesn’t really get you anywhere. Starting something isn’t always based on a feeling, it’s more about making a conscious choice to move forward. Once I learned to embrace the process and accept that things don’t have to be perfect from the start, I jumped in with both feet and told myself that it’s okay to improve along the way. Striving for progress, not perfection, and practicing positive self-talk can go a long way in keeping momentum and confidence as you grow.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I believe the public version of me is the real me and my photography style reflects just that, I aim to capture moments that are authentic, raw, and truthful, just like how I try to live my life. I think being genuine and staying true to yourself naturally attracts the right opportunities and connections. What’s meant for you will find you, as long as you’re true to yourself and others.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
My whole life I thought I wanted to go into the medical field because of close family members who worked in the field, and it seemed like the most logical and stable career path at the time. I started my college career studying biology and medical anthropology, but once I neared the end of my college journey and started applying for jobs, I realized it wasn’t for me. This was difficult to accept at first because I wasn’t sure where to go from there. It taught me that sometimes what you think you’re supposed to do or want, doesn’t always align with your passions. The true fulfillment comes from following what actually excites and motivates you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://taylormademedia.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: taylormademedia.nc
Image Credits
Taylor Made Media (myself)
