Creator. Student. Adventurer.
The Evolution of my Professional Persona.
Starting my professional journey by dropping out of college was the best decision I have made in my entire life.
Back in 2011, I graduated high school and had no idea what to do, so I followed the “traditional” path, and enrolled in college. Just one semester later, I decided that was enough. I needed something else, something with more adventure, purpose, and meaning. Before long, this Arizona kid found himself on an airplane to United States Navy bootcamp, in the winter, in Chicago, Illinois. College wasn’t looking like a bad choice after all.
Fast forward to 2025: my experience as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Navy and later as a government contractor shaped me in ways I never expected. I learned the importance of attention to detail, precision, consistency, and accountability. Skills that have carried into everything I do today. Beyond the technical side, those years taught me how to stay calm under pressure, adapt quickly, and lead by example.
Now, as a photographer, I bring that same mindset into my creative work. Photography gives me the space to combine discipline with curiosity to tell stories that feel honest and human. It’s also become a place for personal growth. What started with dropping out of college has come full circle. I’m now back in school, nearing the finish line of my accounting degree with more maturity and experience than the first time around. Along this journey, my business communication studies, along with an amazing communications professor, have pushed me to always keep a growth mindset and refine my professional persona, emphasizing qualities like charisma, confidence, and genuine connection. It’s an ongoing journey that continues to shape not just my work, but the way I connect with every one of you.
Real words, From Real People.
“His organization, clarity, and accountability had a significant impact on our success.”
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“Taylor was an outstanding teammate and demonstrated excellent leadership throughout the project.”
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“Always does quality work and is supremely accountable.”
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“Taylor's military service has shaped him into a great leader and problem solver. He is focused, driven, and looks at the bigger picture.”
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This chart illustrates my natural communication style, based on two key traits: proactivity (how much I take initiative) and reactivity (how I respond under pressure). The larger brown dot represents how I see myself, the smaller blue dots show feedback from colleagues, and the orange triangle reflects the average of their responses. You’ll notice my self-perception aligns closely with how others experience me, which speaks to a grounded and self-aware approach.
My position sits near the center of the chart, leaning slightly toward the Driver and Analytical styles. In practice, this means I communicate in a focused, steady, and intentional way. I aim to get things done efficiently while keeping attention to detail.
For anyone working with me, this translates into a balanced, professional approach: I stay organized and calm under pressure, take initiative to move projects forward, and maintain clear communication and consistent follow-through. Simply put, you can expect a steady presence that keeps projects on track—without unnecessary stress.
“He is generally perceived by his professional network as a highly capable, hard-working, and well-rounded individual, admired for his calm, even-tempered, and easygoing demeanor. His proactive, “driver” communication style makes him direct and concise—qualities that make him a highly valued leader and problem-solver who remains steadfast, focused, and consistently sees the bigger picture to get the job done.
Colleagues find him approachable and easy to talk to, as he utilizes a wide range of communication channels to connect effectively. While he may initially come across as reserved or, at times, appear to be “having too much fun,” those who know him understand that his tendency to process challenges and solutions by thinking out loud is simply his working style, not a sign of negativity, even if it can occasionally be misinterpreted.
His continuous curiosity and drive for learning are recognized as key strengths that fuel his ongoing professional growth and development.”
-AI Summary of Survey Results
Anchored in a Growth Mindset
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Building Clarity and connection
I bring a thoughtful, organized, and proactive approach to every project, while keeping connection and collaboration at the heart of the process. As you saw above, my communication style leans slightly toward Driver and Analytical, meaning I stay focused, calm, and intentional. I’m detail-oriented and efficient, ensuring projects move forward smoothly, while maintaining clarity and consistency in all communications.
The graph to the right shows the work environments that I tend to prefer. I thrive in environments with structured timelines and clear deadlines, which keep projects on track. I communicate directly and precisely and am comfortable addressing conflicts openly, believing honesty and clarity produce the best outcomes. I value evidence-based discussions, thoughtful decision-making, and constructive feedback, fostering a collaborative space where ideas are explored and solutions reached efficiently.
I prefer flexible, less hierarchical structures, encouraging shared ownership and allowing everyone to contribute their strengths. At the same time, I prioritize building trust through personal connection, which comes from spending time together beyond work tasks. I firmly believe this strengthens relationships, improving collaboration and the creative process.
In short, working with me means partnering with someone organized, proactive, and attentive to detail, yet approachable, collaborative, and committed to building meaningful relationships. You can expect clarity, consistency, and a steady, supportive presence that keeps projects on track while making the process enjoyable and connected.
Every story has two sides…
Photography is only part of my professional journey. My background in aviation maintenance, government contracting, and continued education in accounting has given me a foundation of structure, problem-solving, and discipline that continues to guide everything I do and create.