We had the good fortune of connecting with Annie Tao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annie, how do you think about risk?
Living life authentically is all about risk-taking. You have to step out of your comfort zone and jump in because often our dreams require us to take the road less traveled, so it can be scary.

One example of when I did that was when I left the corporate world. I had been “climbing the ladder” for about a decade in Fortune 500 companies that appreciated me and paid me well! I studied at UC Berkeley in order to land jobs like that, so it was unfathomable to those around me that I’d walk away from it for a path that was unknown and uncertain.

Another time was after I started my photography business. I felt pressure to change my style to one that was posed because that was the popular trend. I bought props and backdrops, and was ready to pose my subjects. But I decided to stay true to how I’ve always believed portraits should be taken: authentic and soulful.

I am so glad I stuck with this natural style of portraiture because it is why I’ve heard repeatedly from clients that seeing their photos made them tear up. That’s because capturing an image of the way your husband holds your hand or the way your baby looks at you is far more emotional than having everyone “look at me” and “smile” on command.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I photograph people the way they truly are: happy, serious, contemplative, and on big milestones as well as the days in-between. This gives people permission to let go of social norms and expectations. It tells the world that being yourself is the best way to be, that you are beautiful, and that every day should be celebrated.

I think this is what sets me apart from other portraiture photographers and is also what makes me the most proud. I see my client shoots as capturing a slice of their lives. There is so much beauty in the realness of you.

It was not easy to get to where I am now. It took many years to learn the power of “no”. As I was growing my business, I struggled with imposter syndrome and felt lucky to have gotten any interested clients, so I accepted every project that came my way, even when it wasn’t one that fit my artistic style or when my calendar was already full. I almost burnt out that year.

I then only took projects that aligned with me/my business and set aside time for my kids during the week. Doing this not only helped provide my life with balance and prevented burnout, but it also grew Annie Tao Photography as a niche boutique business, which attracted the best clients!

What do I want the world to know about me and my story? I used to think happiness was something that happened to us, like an event, activity or person will make me happy. Now I believe happiness is a choice. We face these choices every day. In other words, we choose what we want to focus on because we will encounter good and bad things/people all the time.

Here’s a simple example: I don’t like the rain, so when it rains, I can let myself feel awful that the rain ruined my plans. Or, I can think about how nice it is that I don’t have to water my plants that day and instead, I can look for rainbows in the sky.

How I approach my Lifestyle Photography is how we should approach our lives: find beauty around us because it is there and focus on the positive things, no matter how small… The funny sounds my puppy makes, the laughter of kids playing, the taste of a good meal, the feeling of my daughter’s hand in mine, the way the morning light streams through my window, the smell of fresh-baked bread and clean laundry.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend would be similar to me in that I value human connection more than anything, so the weekend would be spent mostly with us chatting for hours and sprinkled with some good food and drinks. Nothing over-the-top. 

One day would probably start with a hike at Mount Diablo after some strong coffee at Philz, then an extra long brunch in Danville. Then relaxing wine-tasting in Livermore Valley or Napa Valley where we can laugh and continue catching up. I’d, of course, bring my camera, so we could document our time together and the fun details throughout the day.

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?
My shoutout is to my dad, Leonard Tao. He died shortly after my 30th birthday, and it was unexpected, so it really shook me up. It was his passing that changed the trajectory of my career.

He worked his entire life in a job he didn’t enjoy with plans to do the things he loved only after he retired. This sounded like a good plan, one that many of us had. And in his early 60s, he was in good health. I don’t remember him having anything more than a cold his entire adult life. But one Friday, he was playing golf with his old High School buddies, felt pain in his back the next day, and died that Monday. He only enjoyed his retirement for one year. One year!

I learned that you shouldn’t hold off the things you enjoy doing. Do them now.

So I took a break from my corporate job and returned 3 months later only to turn in my company car and keys, and to say goodbye. I started Annie Tao Photography because I wanted to integrate some of the things I was most passionate about since we spend most of our lives working.

Website: https://www.annietaophotography.com

Phone:  415-297-5222

Email:  annie@annietaophotography.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annietaophotography

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