Life & Work with Anthony Taylor of Hampton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Taylor.

Hi Anthony, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I fell in love with photography by accident, and it all started with the birth of my oldest daughter.
When she was born, I was constantly sending cellphone photos to my parents back in Ohio. One day, my mom, who has always loved photography, told me, “I don’t care if you have to go to Best Buy or Walmart and buy a cheap little $70 camera, I need better pictures of my grandbaby than those cellphone shots.” I was slightly offended, but she wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t happy with the quality either.
So I bought a camera.
The very next day, I was invited to Thanksgiving dinner by a childhood friend I had recently reconnected with. I brought my new camera and started photographing everyone. His wife mentioned that he was into photography too, and when he showed me the landscapes and beach scenes he had captured, I was blown away. Then he told me how much he paid for his camera and lens, and I was blown away again, for a different reason.
That night, I looked at the photos I had taken and realized they didn’t compare. Instead of getting discouraged, I got determined. I returned the starter camera and invested in a Canon DSLR like my friend’s. That decision changed everything.
From that point on, I was constantly shooting. My daughter became my muse, sitting up, crawling, playing, sleeping. I documented every stage. I couldn’t put the camera down. Eventually, I started bringing it everywhere. People began asking me to photograph events, portraits, and anything they needed.
The first time someone paid me to photograph an event, I knew this wasn’t just a hobby, it was something I was meant to pursue seriously. I created a company name, my wife helped me register the business, and that passion turned into what is now Dryden House Photography.
What started as a grandmother wanting better photos of her granddaughter became a career built on preserving moments that matter.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road, not even close.

I’ve been underpaid. I’ve been outbid. I’ve had equipment malfunction or break at the worst possible times and not have the immediate funds to replace it. Early on, I trusted the “honor system” and had people back out of agreements because I didn’t yet understand the importance of solid contracts and clear boundaries. Those lessons weren’t easy, but they were necessary.

There’s also a huge misconception about photography. Many people think it’s just pushing a button. What they don’t see are the countless hours spent studying lighting in unpredictable environments, learning new software, upgrading gear, maintaining equipment, managing subscriptions, and constantly educating yourself just to stay competitive. The technical and creative growth never stops.

But honestly, the hardest part hasn’t been behind the camera, it’s been everything away from it. I had to learn business from the ground up: pricing, marketing, client experience, contracts, branding, taxes, systems. There were moments when I realized how much I didn’t know, and it was humbling.

On top of that, I had to figure out who I was creatively. Developing a style that felt authentic to me, and refining it enough to stand out in a saturated market, took time and discipline. I’ve put in more hours building the business and sharpening my craft than I have actually shooting.

It hasn’t been smooth, but every obstacle forced me to become more prepared, more professional, and more intentional. And that growth has been worth it.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a photographer specializing in events, portraits, and headshots. My work is known for bold, high-contrast imagery that truly pops, especially when photographing melanated skin. I’m intentional about lighting and tone because I want people to see themselves represented beautifully, powerfully, and accurately. My goal is always to create images that feel dynamic, polished, and timeless.

What I’m most proud of is that this career consistently places me in rooms where important conversations, celebrations, and milestones are happening, rooms that others pay to enter. I get to witness those moments firsthand and visually preserve them. There’s something powerful about knowing the images I create will outlive the event itself. I’m not just taking photos; I’m helping immortalize stories.

What sets me apart is simple: me. Technical skill matters, of course, but experience matters just as much. I bring a distinct personality to every assignment. I have a natural sense of humor, I genuinely enjoy connecting with people, and I know how to make clients feel comfortable in front of the camera. Nine times out of ten, there’s laughter involved. That ease translates into authentic expressions and confident images.

You can hire many photographers. But you won’t get my eye, my energy, or my presence anywhere else. And that combination makes the experience, and the final product, different.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that professionalism protects everyone involved.

Early on, I operated on trust and verbal agreements. I believed that if someone said they were booking, that was enough. I quickly learned that unless a contract is signed and a retainer is paid, it’s not a confirmed commitment. Without those safeguards, schedules change, priorities shift, and misunderstandings happen.

Putting clear agreements and deposits in place wasn’t about being rigid, it was about valuing my time, my craft, and my business. It also protects the client by setting clear expectations on both sides.

That lesson changed the way I operate. It helped me move from treating photography like a passion project to running it like the professional business it is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://drydenhousephotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dryden_house_photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077515000278