Member Monday: Taylor Cooley

This week we interviewed the triple threat: Actor, Model and Photographer

Taylor Cooley

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF?

I was born in Chicago! I moved to Los Angeles when I was 1 years old, and started dancing, but gradually found my passion in Acting as I got older. I attended Syracuse University, where I studied abroad in London my junior year but fell in love with New York City my last semester of college, so I made the big move after graduating, with a BFA in Acting, and have been here ever since! I love the fast pace, vibrant energy, and endless adventures NYC has! 

Model: Christy Soeder

Photographer: Taylor Cooley

HOW DID YOU START MODELING/PHOTOGRAPHY?

In 2016, I decided that I wanted to explore other passions I had yet to tap into, like Photography. I started modeling/photographing simultaneously—I started modeling to see what it felt like working with different photographers. I thought the only way I can be a great photographer is to put myself in the “models shoes”. I gained a good amount of insight and I applied what I can do more of, what I liked, or disliked from other photographers to ultimately shape the experience I give to my clients. In addition, I've always wanted to model and I still continue to do it but more for fun--I enjoy being behind the camera more!

Model: Sade Katrina

Photographer: Taylor Cooley

HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT TGS?

I found out about TGS through my friend/colleague Christy Soeder! I'd been keeping a close eye on it for a couple of months when it was solely based in LA, and when TGS finally came to NY, I was so excited to attend the first meetup!

Models: Ruummer Music

Photographer: Taylor Cooley

WHY’D YOU JOIN?

I joined TGS because I wanted to be in a community with other creatives! I didn't really have a "home-base", and was looking to be surrounded by like-minded people and a collective that is well rounded and diverse. I had been searching for awhile as there were a few creative communities on the rise, but didn't quite find was I was looking for until I saw TGS... What set TGS apart from all the different communities was Alex herself. TGS did more than just post feature photos, she was actively "front facing" with her viewers everyday. Her strong and positive leadership is what drove me to apply to this empire that she was creating that I had to be apart of.  

Model: Ana

Photographer: Taylor Cooley

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?

Ahh--I get my inspo from a lot of places but mainly on Instagram! I actually have about over 12 saved collections from "Duo/Group to Monochromatic Theme" probably over 300 shots in total! Pinterest is also my favorite! I find myself scrolling endlessly, its nuts, but I also get inspiration just from walking around the city. If I see a spot that catches my eye, I write down the streets and store it in my notes!! 

Model: Kat Prybyla

Photographer: Taylor Cooley

FAVORITE 'ASTHETIC', THEME, OR LOOK WHEN SHOOTING?

I love Colors!! Bold and vibrant colors that contrast against models skin tones makes them pop and brings the audience in! I also like to shoot upwards, makes the model look taller and creates more of a 3D- dimension!

Model: Kimberly

Photographer: Taylor Cooley

DO YOU HAVE OTHER CREATIVE FRIENDS YOU LIKE TO MEET UP WITH / BRAINSTORM WITH?

I do have a couple of people that I like to throw ideas around with! Its like a game!-- how can we go from a clothing item, to a location, to a story with a detailed background. I guess that's the actor in me, everything has a story, you just need to "fill in the blank". I’m definitely a visually person, anyone who works with me knows there will always be pictures involved! Haha! If you send me images I immediately source my inspo inventory and create a board that can compliment the vision, always looking to grow with different ideas and concepts and more pictures to save!

Model: Sydney Swing

Photographer: Taylor Cooley

MOST INTERESTING STORY REVOLVING AROUND MODELING/PHOTOGRAPHY?

I did a shoot with TGS member Sydney at an art exhibit in Brooklyn! We got up super early and waited about an hour to shoot in these monochromatic rooms. When it was finally our turn we had to come up with a quick plan on how we were going to shoot with so many people around. We decided that we wanted to do the Pink Room and had about 4 mins to shoot! We found this corner that had a tree with feathers draping over and Sydney snuggled herself in it as I whipped out a couple of shots! What felt like 90 seconds of shooting, we were already being pushed out to the next room, so we enjoyed ourselves in the other colored rooms and not knowing were to exit we ended up back in the Pink Room, so we shoot again in other parts of the room until they really kicked us out! It was pretty funny but we got good shots!

Model: Taylor Cooley

Photographer: Christy Soeder

RANDOM STUFF ABOUT YOU

A couple things! I love sushi, I can eat that for the rest of my life. I don’t have a favorite color (I know!) My favorite place to shoot is Dumbo, BK and Soho, NY.  I have a major sweet tooth! Favorite way to sweat: HIT workouts/ Gym.