About Ian Taylor

Photographer Since 2007

Born in Liverpool to Canadian parents, I moved to Ontario when I was one.

I'm the eldest of six from Prince Edward County, Ontario, essentially an island kid at heart. Growing up in a big family meant there were always kids around, and I became the family photographer by default. That Victorian house in Picton is where I first learned that the best photos are the unscripted ones.

I leaned ‘big family photography’ by photographing my big family; six sibling and six nieces and nephews.

By the time I established my career as a Hong Kong family photographer in 2007, I knew that parents were looking for more than just a portrait; they wanted a professional photography session that captured the truth of their kids' personalities.

My path to the camera wasn't a straight line. I was a restaurateur, spent five years in motion picture industry and six years in Phnom Penh, originally as Business Manager for The Cambodia Daily newspaper. (RIP Daily)

Cambodia is still somewhere I travel back to all the time.

That background shaped my way of looking at the world. Whether I’m taking family photos at a Hong Beach, or documenting a project for an NGO or a CSR client, it’s the same basic approach: look for the light, find a frame, then wait and then hope for a ‘moment’.

'Never Say Cheese!'

At the end of the day, photography is all about light, whether you're photographing architecture, food or stars. I'm obsessed with finding great light, which is why I'm so particular about locations.

In my spare time I play music, having had bands in Hong Kong, Thailand, and the only Western band in Cambodia during the '90s. In Bangkok I played for years with The Midnight Ramblers, the top Rolling Stones cover band in Asia.

My other obsession is kayaking, I've kayaked the 600 km from the Thai-Burma border to the Malaysian border. Twice.

I specialize in natural outdoor family photography and relaxed outdoor family photoshoots across Hong Kong.

I also help fellow photographers with their SEO through my proprietary backlink strategy.