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Taylor Quinn O'Brien Photography

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Taylor Quinn O'Brien Photography

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Food

Food

Food is such a wonderful thing. Not only does it give us the nourishment to thrive in our daily lives, it also provides, if we allow it to, pleasure and bliss.

With my food photographs, I aim to entice people to remember that eating (and drinking) is a pleasurable experience, one that should be savored and celebrated.

À votre santé!

A stack of chocolate chip cookies is next to a cup of milk with a white straw and pink hearts. Chocolate chips are scattered around them.

A bundt cake is on a clear cake stand with a wedge of the cake cut out of the cake. There is a serving tool & a plate to the left and a cup of chai tea to the right.

Chocolate chip cookies are littered on a baking sheet with scatter pieces of chocolate around the cookies.

A latte with heart milk art is pictured.

A bowl of pumpkin soup is drizzled with pumpkin seed oil and cream. Pumpkin seeds are scattered on top.

A small tea cup is filled with vegan vanilla macarons that have been painted with a stripe of gold edible paint.

taylorquinnobrien

taylorquinnobrien

Self-portraiture is a difficult genre of photograp

Self-portraiture is a difficult genre of photography, at least for me.

It becomes onerous at times and seeing as I am the subject and the photographer, I am overly critical of each and every image -- the truly bad images highlighting every flaw and imperfection, providing more evidence for my self-critical lens and reinforcing my fear of not being a 'real' photographer.

But even worse, is sometimes if feels so uninspiring. Okay, it's another picture of me. Who cares?

So why do I keep going?

I guess because I care. About myself. So I continue to see where this journey takes me.

This photograph (and the other similar image I posted a few weeks ago) sparked something for me, which I haven't fully fleshed out yet, but it feels like I'm on the edge of a sub-genre of self-portraiture that I would like to explore in more depth.

I hope you'll come along for the ride.
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#advancedselfie #advancedselfies #selfportrait #selfportraiture #selfportraits #sonyalpha7rV #sonyalpha #sonyphotographer #naturephotography #peaceful #sonyalphaphotography #chicagophotoclasses #flashphotography #taylorquinnobrien

La Belle Époque. A newer self-portrait taken as

La Belle Époque.

A newer self-portrait taken as part my project for the upcoming fine arts book with @chicagophotoclasses.
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#selfportrait #selfportraiture #selfportraits #sonyalpha7rV #sonyalpha #sonyphotographer #sonyalphaphotography #flashphotography #flash #godoxv1 #godox #taylorquinnobrien

Frenetic Zebras, Masai Mara, Kenya. While in the

Frenetic Zebras, Masai Mara, Kenya.

While in the Masai, I saw a few crossings of various animal species. With the zebras and wildebeests, the crossings can become chaotic and unstructured; their fear, palpable.

As can be seen here, there is a zebra that doesn't seem to know where they are going relative to the rest of the dazzle, while the rest frantically scramble back up the hill, to safety.
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#cpcwesharewednesday #cpc #sonyalpha #sonyphotographer #wildeyesa #zebramigration #zebra #wildlife #safari #nature #africa #wildlifephotography #wildlifephotographer #travel #masaimara #greatmigration #africansafari #kenya #marariver #safaris #magicalkenya #animals #migration #photography #travelafrica #travelphotography #taylorquinnobrien

Another self-portrait. This was a welcome surprise

Another self-portrait. This was a welcome surprise because when I started this shoot, I had no idea where it would take me.

I love the juxtaposition between the nature and my clothing, which is something most people wouldn't wear while passing time in the great outdoors.

This image won't be in the fine arts book, but it was taken with that in mind. The book will be published and available around November or December of this year. @chicagophotoclasses

#selfportrait #selfportraiture #selfportraits #sonyalpha7rV #sonyalpha #sonyphotographer #naturephotography #peaceful #sonyalphaphotography #chicagophotoclasses #flashphotography #taylorquinnobrien

The Great Migration, Masai Mari. Our week with @w

The Great Migration, Masai Mari.

Our week with @wildeyesa in the Masai Mari was a pretty good week for crossings -- at least I thought so!

The great migration is the name given to the annual migration of over two million animals, who travel between 800 and 1,000 kilometers in a clockwise fashion through the Masai Mara and the Serengeti ecosystems in search of food.

The largest numbers of animals crossing are the wildebeest -- I've read numbers up to 1.5 million. The remaining half million are comprised of zebra, eland, & gazelles.

The migration happens year round, as these animals are always migrating, following the rains, and therefore the food. The location where you will see the migration depends on the time of the year.

Generally, between late July/early August and October they are in the Masai Mari, crossing the Mara River (which you can see a bit of in the background).

These herds of wildebeest and zebra didn't cross while we were there, but they REALLY thought about it.

Regardless, the stamped created lots of beautiful dust that reflected the sun nicely.
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#cpcwesharewednesday #cpc #sonyalpha #sonyphotographer #wildeyesa #wildebeestmigration #wildebeest #zebra #wildlife #safari #nature #africa #wildlifephotography #wildlifephotographer #travel #masaimara #greatmigration #africansafari #kenya #marariver #safaris #magicalkenya #animals #migration #photography #travelafrica #travelphotography #taylorquinnobrien

There is no better day than World Rhino Day to int

There is no better day than World Rhino Day to introduce you to my daughter, Raha 🦏 🦏 🦏

I recently adopted her while visiting @sheldricktrust in Nairobi, Kenya (don't worry, you can also adopt her, or one of their many other deserving animals).

If you're not familiar with their work, please check them out post haste and consider adopting one of their orphaned rhinos 🦏 or elephants.

According to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, there are only around one thousand black rhinos remaining in Kenya. Even worse, over the past 50 years, their rhino population has declined by 95%.

This is due to the incorrect belief that their horns are magical and will heal all that ails you. As such, poachers, which have vast networks to find rhinos, kill them to get their horns. It's brutal and gruesome.

Not all is lost, as the population numbers have doubled in the past 10 years in Kenya, but we cannot stop doing everything we can to support this continued improvement for 🦏 worldwide.

Constant vigilance (to quote one of the greats).

So, on this #worldrhinoday let's remember to keep the rhino horny.
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#SheldrickTrust #SWT #rahaswt #rhino #blackrhino #kenya #wildforlife #keeptherhinohorny #rhinoceros #wildlifephotographer
#africa #cpc #chicagophotographyclasses #wildlife #wildlifephotography #travelphotography #travelphotographer #safari #safariphotography #hakunamatata #taylorquinnobrien

I've started taking some newer self-portraits and

I've started taking some newer self-portraits and this is one of my favorites of the bunch.

As I've expressed in the past, it seems as if self-portraiture is an awesome creative outlet, but at the same time, a burden and I find it difficult to get the courage to actually start shooting (in the moment, I call it lazy, but it's actually fear).

I'll be posting some of these newer self-portraits over the next few weeks. They will be part of the fine arts book with @chicagophotoclasses. The book will be published and available around November or December of this year.
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#selfportrait #selfportraiture #selfportraits #sonyalpha7rV #sonyalpha #sonyphotographer #sonyalphaphotography #flashphotography #flash #godoxv1 #godox

Just returned from an amazing trip to the Mara Tri

Just returned from an amazing trip to the Mara Triangle with @chicagophotoclasses and @wildeyesa. Words cannot express what an overall wonderful experience I had on this photographic safari. Big thanks to @grant_marcus and @lukestreetphotography for their photographic guidance while on safari, and @nick.sinnott for putting the trip together.

I am still going through all of my images, but these are some of my early shots and I cannot decide if I like it better in black and white or color. I would love to know what you think?
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#africa #kenya #maratriangle #wildeyesa #cpc #chicagophotographyclasses #wildlife #wildlifephotography #wildlifephotographer #elephant #elephants #tusks #tusker #travelphotography #travelphotographer #safari #safariphotography #hakunamatata #taylorquinnobrien

I am extremely honored and excited to share that I

I am extremely honored and excited to share that I am taking part in an upcoming group gallery exhibition, "Unique Visions", at @mivalgallery in Mercer Island, Washington.

The show will run from August 19 - October 11, 2024.

There are two receptions for this show and I will be attending the October 4th reception (details in the second image).

I would love to see anyone and everyone that can come to the show.

All pieces will be for sale. Many talented people will be exhibiting. Please come out and support the many talented artists.
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#mercerisland #photoexhibition #photographyexhibition #photography #art #exhibition #photo #gallery #artist #photoexhibit #artexhibition #artgallery

"The Teacher" Angolan Colobus at the Brookfield Z

"The Teacher"

Angolan Colobus at the Brookfield Zoo.

This particular colobus sat patiently for me so that I could take their portrait. It feels as if there is an important lesson to learn here, but I haven't put my finger on it yet.

According to Brookfield Zoo's website, these beautiful creatures "have reduced or absent thumbs. Infants are born white and turn gray, then black within their first six months."

They are considered vulnerable and native to the east and central African continent (primarily Tanzania, DRC, & Angola).
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#sonyalpha #orangutans #animalphotography #portrait #portraiture #portraits #animalportrait #animalportraits

"The Sage" Bornean orangutan at the Brookfield Zo

"The Sage"

Bornean orangutan at the Brookfield Zoo.

The eyes are haunting to me as they seem to tell a sad story, but it's a story that we all must be aware of. If you didn't already know, their habitats are becoming smaller and smaller by the minute, so that we can have palm oil.

I try my best to avoid products with palm oil, but that's probably not the real solution. I suspect that avoiding palm oil results in some other substitute that is likely to create some other environmental/humanitarian crisis.

According to the zoo's website, "Orangutans' dependence on an arboreal lifestyle makes them very susceptible to habitat disruption. Clear-cutting forest for extensive agricultural development, notably palm oil plantations in Sumatra and Borneo, have led to a rapid decline in orangutan populations and an increase in numbers of orphaned orangutans. Orangutans are being rehabilitated at several stations in Malaysia and Indonesia, where confiscated young pets or orphaned orangutans are trained to return to the wild. Clear-cutting primary forest and mature secondary forest important as orangutan habitat serves to extirpate orangutan populations. The rapid habitat loss has led to many hundreds of juvenile orangutans being cared for in sanctuaries. Sanctuary caregivers are challenged with the task of rehabilitating, socializing, and providing basic care for so many youngsters who have had their normal rearing disrupted through habitat loss."

A very tragic existence for such a wonderful being.
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#sonyalpha #orangutans #animalphotography #nonhumanprimateisnottobekeptaspet

A throw back to 2019 in Dublin for a criminally sh

A throw back to 2019 in Dublin for a criminally short period of time. I love how there is so much color, which I equate to happiness (despite my love of black).
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#sonyalpha #travelphotographer #travelislife #dublin #ireland #irish #dublinireland #dublincity #travel #lovindublin #discoverdublin #discoverireland #photography #visitdublin #europe #travelphotography

Giraffe in Tanzania. . . . . . . . . . . . #sonyal

Giraffe in Tanzania.
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#sonyalpha #safari #wildlife #africa #tanzania #giraffe #nature #travel #wildlifephotography #animals #photography #naturephotography #travelphotography #adventure #photooftheday #wild #love #animal #safariphotography #conservation #wanderlust #africansafari #naturelovers

Another shot from @andersonjapanesegardens in Rock

Another shot from @andersonjapanesegardens in Rockford, IL with @chicagophotoclasses and @gerriwhitley.

This image struck me when I was going through my photographs from that day because it felt like it took me back in time to a place that used to be. And maybe one I've never really experienced. When it was quiet and calm. When the world felt less noisy and hectic.
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#longexposurephotography #longexposurephoto #cpcwesharewednesday #travelphotography #travelphotographer #landscapephotography #landscapes #sonyalpha #mavenfilters #waterfallphotography #waterfalls #infraredphotography

I got sick right after my visit to the gardens, so

I got sick right after my visit to the gardens, so apologies for the delay in posting!

This was another one of my favorites from my visit to @andersonjapanesegardens in Rockford, IL with @chicagophotoclasses and @gerriwhitley!
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#longexposurephotography #longexposurephoto #cpcwesharewednesday #travelphotography #travelphotographer #landscapephotography #landscapes #sonyalpha #mavenfilters #waterfallphotography #waterfalls

It was my first visit to @andersonjapanesegardens

It was my first visit to @andersonjapanesegardens in Rockford, IL with @chicagophotoclasses and @gerriwhitley! I learned a lot during this outing and I really enjoyed seeing the gardens this early in the season.

This was my first time using @mavenfilters and I loved them!
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#longexposurephotography #longexposurephoto #cpcwesharewednesday #travelphotography #travelphotographer #landscapephotography #landscapes #sonyalpha

I went with zero expectations. I actually went m

I went with zero expectations.

I actually went mostly for the experience, just as we did in 2017. There is nothing like a total solar eclipse. And that is what we got. Great memories with loved ones, both times.

To say I was unprepared is an understatement. I brought my camera without a solar filter and I didn't have a telephoto lens, so I didn't plan to photograph the eclipse with that camera. But I did have a newer cell phone that I could hold my eclipse glasses up to as a makeshift filter.

So while I can't enlarge these images, or print them, they do give me a great reminder of this day and make me excited to try and learn more about this style of photography for next time.
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#solareclipse #solareclipse2024 #chicagophotoclasses #cpcwesharewednesday #ShotByPixel #PixelPerfect #TeamPixel #Pixel

The Shadows of Thira. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Shadows of Thira.
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#sonyphotography #sonyphotographer #sonyalpha7v #santorini #greece #travel #santorinigreece #greekislands #cyclades #travelphotography #visitgreece #santoriniisland #island #photography #europe #greecestagram #thira #shadows #shadow

Taking Flight. A Great Horned Owl takes flight at

Taking Flight.

A Great Horned Owl takes flight at night, in search of prey.
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#chicago #chicagophotographer #chicagophotography #travelphotography #travelphotographer #sonyalpha #owls #owl #birds #owlsofinstagram #owlstagram #owllover #bird #nature #owllovers #wildlife #birdsofinstagram #owlphotography #birdsofprey #wildlifephotography #cpcwesharewednesday

The Great Horned Owl at Night, Urban Edition. I w

The Great Horned Owl at Night, Urban Edition.

I was lucky enough to see these owls recently and although it was really cold, I managed to stay long enough to grab this image.
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#chicago #chicagophotographer #chicagophotography #travelphotography #travelphotographer #sonyalpha #owls #owl #birds #owlsofinstagram #owlstagram #owllover #bird #nature #owllovers #wildlife #birdsofinstagram #owlphotography #birdsofprey #wildlifephotography #cpcwesharewednesday

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