About Cymon Taylor
About Me
“Seeing is not enough; you have to feel what you photograph.”
I'm Cymon Taylor, and I'd like to say hello, tell you a little bit about myself, and provide solutions for any photo-related problems.
I am a British professional photographer who has been living between London and Tuscany for the last 25 years. Throughout my long and enjoyable career, my work has covered a wide range of photographic genres for clients in the advertising, editorial, and sports worlds. More importantly, I have specialised in portrait, travel, and landscape photography for over 45 years.
The quote above is from a photographer who has been an inspiration to me throughout my career. His words, for me, encapsulate the intuitive, emotional approach that underpins all of my work, so it seemed appropriate to start with them.
My Photography Workshops
In the last few decades, my photographic work has taken me all over the world, from Monaco to the Bahamas. But it’s the radiant, ethereal light of Tuscany that inspires me, and it’s also where I call home. Toscana, the picture-perfect backdrop for the motion and stills industries, is right on my doorstep, and it never fails to inspire.
That’s why I’ve created some fine art photography workshops offering retreats in the heart of Tuscany, including photo workshops, tours, and courses to help you develop your visualisation, workflow, and creativity. My one-on-one mentoring will be especially beneficial if you want to progress from amateur to professional photographer.
Whether you want to come to Tuscany to improve your photographic skills in a small group workshop or on a private photography course, please call or email me. I’m here to help in English or Italian.
My Photography Background
The early years
After receiving a disposable camera as a Christmas present in 1972, it revealed an inner affinity with photography. I purchased my first SLR, a Canon AE-1, and a 50mm lens while still in school, and a few years later, in 1980, I relocated to London. Even with no previous working experience, it was possible to make a living of sorts until 1983, considering photography courses were rare and not even regarded by professionals of the day.
When a spell in the British Army ended, an adventure into the dark rooms and underground studios of Christie’s South Kensington ensued, where a magical friendship and creative photography ensued. Being welcomed by Ted, a veteran large-format photographer, who treated me like his newborn, in two years it was possible to study medium- and large-format camera operation and movements, lens choice, construction and defects, and lighting theory applied to a very diverse range of surfaces, film developing and printing techniques whilst at the same time creating my own body of personal work.
Hungry for a more specific post to try my newly acquired skills, after a phone call and an interview, work started one Monday in ’88 with established advertising photographer Robert Dowling, an invaluable experience of a year full of campaigns, travel, and constant learning. Aware of my desire to work in NYC, Robert dispatched me to find him a US agent and we managed to root out Jim Moffat of Art+Commerce. Meetings were organised and the doorway to the States opened when Jim asked if I would consider working for Annie Leibovitz.
Professional work
Following my first Leibovitz shoot in Paris and subsequent shoots in other locations throughout England, I accepted an invitation to relocate to New York in mid-1989. Eighteen months passed with Annie when I decided to go freelance for another two years in New York City. Fortune was on my side as I teamed up with several masters of the time and accomplished commissions for Interview magazine.
Returning to England in late 1992, London agent Horton Stephens welcomed the body of work produced in New York, and we set about gathering commissions from prominent advertising agencies and exhibiting the 20 Image Creative Face series at the AOP (formerly AFAEP) Gallery. The next four years were a busy growth period, with work being split between advertising campaigns, automotive above- and below-the-line commissions, and sports work in the form of team contracts and various worldwide publications covering the British Superbike, WorldSBK, and MotoGP championships.
The onset of the millennium saw a move to Italy and a new agent, Visual Team, in Milan. In 2004, Photo Station was opened in the Arezzo Equestrian Centre, providing a full photographic service at all national and international equestrian events. In 2009, Photo Station closed as personal contracts were finalised for the world’s most respected equestrian events, tours, private clients, and owners. The horse chapter was finalised after attending the 2012 London Games and publishing the London 2012 Olympic edition book in collaboration with Horse Times Egypt.