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When did you get into photography and why/how?

I got into photography midway through college while studying music tech at The BRIT School. I was exploring different creative areas within the music industry, and photography became a way to combine my love for music with a new medium. I started by photographing jam sessions and small gigs, documenting grassroots venues and giving back to the communities I was part of.

I’ve always enjoyed learning technical skills, whether in music or photography, and I picked up most of what I know through hands-on trial and error, online resources, and deep dives into spec sheets and YouTube videos. After college, I took a year to focus on my own work and establish myself. That led me to a short course, which helped me rethink my approach. Now, I’m studying photojournalism and documentary photography at LCC, learning how to be more thoughtful and ethical in my work.

Who inspires you?

The inspiration behind my photos comes from the rich diversity and community-driven nature of the London Jazz scene. My photography aims to capture the sense of family, togetherness, and energy that makes it so special. Groups like Kinetika Bloco, Steam Down, and Orii influence me, not just for their music but for the way they bring people together beyond it.

What did you learn about Cape Town through the lens?

The main thing that filled my lens in Cape Town was joy and happiness—it was impossible not to capture smiling faces. Despite the hardships South Africa has faced, the resilience of its people really stood out. I also learned a lot about myself through the way I took photos. I noticed how my anxiety sometimes held me back from capturing what I wanted, but I also saw how much care I put into respecting power dynamics and photographing people in a way that truly represented them.

Favourite picture from the trip and why?

I don’t have one favourite photo from Cape Town, but my favourite moment photographing was at Eluxolweni Primary School. I was experimenting with masking identities when it wasn’t part of the story and letting the kids come to me for photos. There was so much joy in knowing they wanted to be photographed and could choose how they wanted to be represented. Even though taking portraits pulled me out of the moment at times, it still captured the energy and happiness that filled the playground.

What do you hope people take away from your photos?

I don’t just want my photos to be a window into something new—I want them to feel like an open door. I want people to be curious, not just looking in from the outside but feeling like they can step in and experience it for themselves. I can only capture so much of the energy in a scene; the real magic comes from being there in the moment.

Where’s your next stop on your photography journey? And/or what would you love to be able to photograph?

Right now, I’m studying Photojournalism, and I’m focused on learning how to fairly represent people and understand power dynamics. I want to become more ethical in my work and keep my photos intentional. In the future, I’d love to shine a light on  overlooked parts of society and shine a light on underground music scenes, starting with London and hopefully expanding globally.

Where can people find your work?

You can find most of my work on Instagram for now. My website, www.taylorhyltonphotography.com, is still a work in progress, but you can check out some of my photos there too.

Anything else that people should know?

If you’re getting into photography, just shoot what interests you. Tell your own stories and truths. Be intentional with your approach, but don’t let that hold back your creativity. Find different ways to share your message.

Your art is yours if you’re intentional with it. Understanding the technical side is like learning to read or play an instrument—it’s important, but people care about what you create. You can follow the rules technically, but don’t let anyone tell you there’s a “right” way to be creative. A good start is learning from others and recreating their success, but then take that and make it your own. Uni’s about learning techniques, experimenting, and finding what works for you. For me, it’s been a great way to push my boundaries, but it doesn’t work for everyone.

As I grow as a photographer, I’m finding my place in the London Jazz community, sharing stories that feel true to me and capturing what matters in my world.