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| J. PAUL TAYLOR PORTRAIT |
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| Cindy on corral fence |
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Although trained in photography when I was younger, the photos I now take developed out of my painting work. As an illustrator and painter, I used the camera primarily as a reference tool -- the photos were merely a means to an end. But over time, my photographs began to take on a life of their own, and soon each modelling session included shots specifically for my paintings, and shots purely for their photographic effect.
My photographs are like my paintings in the sense that I like to focus them on a single figure or subject in natural light and a setting reflective of the sitter.
At times people hire me to shoot photos of them precisely because I am a painter, as in the case of the photos of Helen Myers, the choreographer, and her performing partner Jill at the City of Rocks state monument (below).
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| Dancers at the City of Rocks |
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I like to get in close. The challenge lies in always being alert to the brief moments when the model forgets the camera. As in my painting, there is a compass inside that guides me to the un-expected, but ultimately satisfying, image.
I shoot both 35mm in color and black and white, and 2.25 in black and white.
I'm not the guy to call for wedding, event or group photos. My brother Jack is the pro in that area (see link to his website below). My work is very specifically intimate, whether I'm shooting a personal or professional portrait. My style is also appropriate to fashion or documentary work.
The gallery below will give you a fairly good idea of my aesthetic and range.
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| Laura near Hillsboro |
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| Marian with scarf |
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| Expecting couple |
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| Britney, cornered |
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| Chaps |
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| Nymph |
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| Sisters |
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| Starlett |
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| Chloe |
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| The Wedding |
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| The Wedding 2 |
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| Kathy in wedding gown |
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| Cindy on Corral Fence |
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| Miranda with tatoo |
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| Megan with Boa |
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| Carol in fringe |
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| THE "WOMEN OVER 40" PROJECT |
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My ongoing “Women Over 40” project came out of a growing awareness of the many beautiful and accomplished professional women I knew. Many of the models for my paintings have been younger women, but I found myself wanting to explore the same aspects of beauty, strength and sensuality in more mature women – and I wanted to do it in photographs.
It's been an extremely interesting (and surprisingly daunting) challenge. Women at this stage in their life carry their sensuality much, much differently than women in their twenties: it's much more internalized -- less public. So where I walked in expecting to search out the sensual expression (as I had with my younger models) I was generally met with a comprehensive modesty. Though frustrated, I did what artists do: I altered course to meet the moment. The photographs then became (to a certain degree) about the tension and the varying degrees of discomfort with being viewed as physically beautiful women at this stage in their lives.
Of course every person is different, but I have done this enough to note the trend, and it is pretty consistent. But I like the challenge. Also, I think this is something that needs to be done -- explored, documented. It's fascinating that whereas a young woman's sensuality is overtly physical (as in exposed flesh), the more mature women shifts her allegiance from her purely physical attributes to more internal allies. Of course we all do this (men and women) as we age, and generally by our own decision and determination (meaning it is only partially based on objective, rather than subjective, reality), so I understand. Yet I still find these women incredibly beautiful, and I want to understand where they go during this time.
So, I'll continue. That means that I'm always looking for the next woman, and am open to referrals. In time I hope to make a book of these images, including stories of the women themselves. But I have some more to learn before then. Until then, I'll show some of them here.
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| Carol |
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If my work doesn't suit you, and you're looking for the best in wedding, event, group and architectural photography, contact this guy:
www.jackdivenphotography.com
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