For this week’s Media Monday, we’d like you to meet Taylor Wilder, photographer at Madison Square Garden.
1. How did you find yourself as a photographer at MSG?
Since I can remember, I have always wanted to be a photographer. I played around with cameras starting in middle school, and eventually joined the high school newspaper where I found my passion for sports, concerts, and event photography. I basically like photographing people who are doing what makes them most passionate. Year-to-year, I have found myself simply doing everything I could possibly do to further my skills in photography. One job lead to another, and I was referred to apply for a new MSG photo services position. Between my experience & skill set, referrals & help from former employers, and a big leap of faith, I ended up landing the photo position at MSG. I couldn’t be any happier.
2. Which of your photos are you most proud of?
As most photographers feel, I am my biggest critique of my own work. It’s difficult for me to recognize which of my work stands out more among the rest, but I would say a few images I took at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio are really special to me. After interning for Team USA for 6 months at their training facilities in Colorado, I was invited to go down to Rio as Team USA’s sole behind-the-scenes photographer. I got to photograph some pretty special moments that no one else has.
3. What is your favorite thing about your job?
I absolutely love getting to know the people I get to work with and photograph. Every day I am amazed by those I come in contact with inside and outside the photo world. It blows my mind how many people there are out there with passion for so many different things.
4. What do you look for in a photograph?
The best photos tell a complete story in just one frame. If you can look at a picture and know the who, what, when, where, why, and how, then you are looking at an extremely good shot.
5. What is your day like at your job?
My days spent at MSG definitely vary. Most days of the week I work all day in our office right outside the arena. Days are spent captioning, organizing, archiving, and sending photos. I spend a lot of time in our photo studio making sure all the equipment is working, lenses are clean, and keeping the lit studio area ready to be used at all times. I keep inventory of our gear, process invoices, and research new possible products that could make life easier in our department. If there’s an event or game that night, I’m spending some time beforehand prepping for it. Eventually I head over to the arena, and from there I’m shooting until it’s time to go home!
6. Who do you most look up to in the journalism/photography industry?
I find myself mostly looking up to women in the industry and what I like to call ‘industry pioneers.’ There are a lot more men than women in sports/event photography, so I’m always sifting through the work of women like Elsa Garrison and Maddie Meyer to gain inspiration. I also think it’s important to keep tabs on photographers who spend their time paving the way for anyone looking to become a full-time self-sufficient freelance photographer. People like Chase Jarvis, Casey Neistat, and Jeff Rojas have incredible tutorials and self-help guides out there for anyone looking to make a living out of being a photographer.
7. What is your favorite news outlet?
New York Times is where I get most of my news. I turn to Twitter to quickly scroll through what is happening in all aspects of the world in real time too.
8. Fill in the blank:
- If I am not photographing, I am…training for the half-marathon I still haven’t signed up for.
- If I could photograph anyone, it would be…Serena & Venus Williams.
9. What is your guilty pleasure?
Late night dollar pizza after a long night of shooting.