Meet Taylor-Alexis Gillard | Wedding Videographer & Documentary Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taylor-Alexis Gillard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taylor-Alexis, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As a creative, I knew that I would need a financial base to sustain myself especially living in NYC. I also wanted to be able to work on film projects that are near and dear to my heart. Since high school I’ve always been labeled as a lover girl and I knew that I had a passion for telling stories through film. Essentially I thought that wedding videography would marry the two and it would allow me to flex that creative muscle filming each couple in a unique way. I came up with a business plan in early 2022, read a ton books on freelancing and entrepreneurship, decided how I wanted to market myself, actively searched for clients and continued to work on my skills. Almost a year and a half later, I feel like I’m just getting started and I’m excited to expand the business!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m proud of my journey. I started off with an Accounting degree from Penn State that I wasn’t necessarily proud of because I knew that crunching numbers wasn’t my jam. It wasn’t until I was getting ready to graduate from the New School with my Masters in Media & Documentary Studies, that I had a new appreciation for the journey. The time in between my undergraduate and graduate was filled with a lot of trial and error and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

I was a podcaster, a YouTuber, a cooking show producer, a plastic surgery videographer, an airline ticket agent, a wireless sales consultant, an aspiring A&R representative, a nail polish marketing intern, a documentary director and more, all while working full time in Corporate America. I applied to so many jobs, internships and programs only to receive my fair share of no’s. There were plenty of moments where I wanted to quit and I even voiced it to those who would listen, but I knew that this wasn’t the end.

All of those moments brought me to where I am today and I always credit my resilience in the midst of my mistakes and my ability to continue moving forward. I also think about my experience with applying to grad school as I had to create a portfolio from scratch since my background was in Accounting and not Art. I spent days at the library writing papers on films, uploading cringe-worthy videos to my application and explaining my decision to switch careers.

I was accepted into the Master’s program but due to logistical and financial reasons, I wasn’t able to attend the semester I applied for. I remember feeling devastated when I found out that I wasn’t able to defer by admission to the next semester and that I had to reapply. I could have easily walked away from it all but I knew that I wanted to be in the film world. I reapplied, was accepted again and began classes in the fall of 2019. I went on to study films and produce my own documentary and short films that eventually led me to the wedding videography and the rest was history.

I also believe that rejection is protection and redirection bundled up in one fiery ball in which you have to trust and have faith in. Knowing that there was something else out there for me has always kept me grounded and willing to continue marching on. You overcome challenges by understanding what they’re trying to teach you and sometimes you repeat those lessons until it sticks.

I want the world to know that it’s okay to still be a work in progress as you simultaneously grow in other areas of your life and in your business. To know that there is no true success without actually putting in the work and trusting that the universe will put you in places that you only dreamed of. Trusting your intuition, being your authentic self and knowing when to take a calculated risk will set you apart and making you a well-rounded creative.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d first start the morning with a quick bite at Outro NYC where we’d have a brekkie plate or pancakes with lemon curd, mascarpone & blueberry compote and grab the cutest rose matcha lattes to go. From there we can shoot uptown to the Met and explore the current exhibits there for a few hours. We’ll probably need some fuel after that so we can head over to Junglebird in Chelsea to have chicken and lemongrass dumplings with a few curated cocktails. If there’s time we can check out the art galleries on the west side or stroll through the Highland. Afterwards we can hit up Spot Dessert to debate which sweet treat is the best (the answer is the Matcha lava with the Milky puff as a strong second).

On the other days I’d say be sure to go bike riding all throughout Central Park; from 59th all the way to 110 street. If you’re looking for an amazing food tour, check out Roosevelt Avenue in Queens as you’ll be able to “visit” various countries on this one strip. (Birria Landia has the best birria tacos) Las Lap & their Caribbean cocktails is a honorable mention and of course catching a broadway show. I’d also like to throw in a Spa day at Soho Sanctuary to relax and unwind.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Although this person has recommended me to Shoutout, I wouldn’t feel right without recognizing my friend Allie Guilbaud for helping me secure my first wedding client! I always say those who say your names in the rooms you’re not in deserve the world!

I’d also like to thank my couples and the vendors I’ve worked with since I started for being so kind, generous and helpful with each wedding. Starting your own business on your own is challenging and sometimes you can feel overwhelmed by all the factors that are involved. Knowing that you have awesome folks as clients and encouraging and talented vendors in your life makes all of the difference.

Last but not least, I’d like to thank my close friends and family who have served as patient sounding boards for all of my crazy ideas and for offering solid advice whenever new issues occurred.

Website: tayloralexisweddings.com

Instagram: @tayloralexisweddings

Facebook: @tayloralexisweddings

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tayloralexisweddings

Other: tayloralexisfilms.com – Other film work

Image Credits
Taylor-Alexis Weddings LLC