In this episode of Artist Date, I’m sitting down with Calgary-based wedding photographer Taiya Davidsen, a storyteller known for her warm presence, calm energy, and relaxed editorial-meets-documentary style. Taya shares how she went from shooting friends’ grad photos to building a thriving wedding business, why client experience and word of mouth are the real secret to longevity, and how she stays grounded in the beautiful chaos of a wedding day. We also talk about shooting with intention, energy-matching your clients, finding confidence behind the camera, getting published, and why creating the work you want to book is the fastest way to grow. Key Takeaways Client experience is everything. What people remember about how you made them feel matters just as much as the photos. Calm is contagious. Showing up grounded and collected helps your clients relax—and sets the tone for the entire day. Energy-matching creates better images. Reading the room (and your couple’s personalities) leads to more natural, authentic photos. Simple posing creates endless variety. Small shifts in angles, hands, and direction can create a full gallery from one location. Back-of-camera builds instant trust. If clients feel nervous, a quick preview can boost confidence and deepen collaboration. Word of mouth is the best marketing. Great work + great experience creates a snowball effect through friends, family, and bridal parties. Features are a creative milestone. Publications can be deeply fulfilling—especially in a digital world—but they’re not the only growth lever. Create what you want to book. Planning shoots (even for free at first) is how you show your vision and attract aligned clients. Loved this conversation? If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you’d subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a photographer friend who’s building their business right now. Follow along for behind-the-scenes and weekly inspiration: @nicoleromanoffphoto and @artistdatepodcast and don’t forget you can watch the full episode on YouTube.

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