How Somatic Practices and Mindfulness Changes the Client Experience in Taylor Sliwa’s Photography Business

Dear Creator,

Have you ever hired a photographer to capture special moments whether it was family portraits, engagement, or events?

How many times have you done that where the photographer also brought mindfulness and somatic practices to the shoot, that changed your life?

That’s where Taylor comes in with a unique approach to her business or what I called in this session, her “movement”.

Taylor Sliwa is a lifestyle documentary photographer and certified yoga instructor. Capricorn through and through. She brings a grounded, intentional presence to everything she does. Taylor is passionate about helping people feel seen, heard, and fully themselves—while capturing it all in photos that speak volumes.

In this conversation we talk about how she weaves different somatic practices and mindfulness into every photo session and why she believes the experience her clients have in front of the camera matters just as much as the images they take home.

We also talk about the real life we experience as a multi-hyphenate creative. Like juggling different tasks or projects, building intentional morning and evening routines, staying organized with calendars, and knowing when to rest vs build.

Networking and Finding Clients

We start of the conversation talking about how we met, which was an in-person Chicago picnic that I coordinated. Taylor shares how most of her clients come from word of mouth. She’s intentional about putting herself out there more, especially heading into busier seasons like the holidays, and believes that candid, genuine connection is what really seals the relationship with a potential client.

Capturing Special Moments

Taylor is a family and newborn photographer who calls her specialty "special moments" which is anything that holds extra meaning. Whether it's a newborn session, engagement shoot, baby shower, or even a family game night, Taylor shows up to document life as it's being lived.

The Intersection of Photography, Somatic Practices, and Yoga

Taylor has been a yoga instructor for 10 years and weaves her somatic practices into every photography session. She noticed early on that being in front of a camera can feel vulnerable and even scary for people, so she created a client experience that addresses the mind, body, and spirit — not just the final images.

What Holding Space Actually Looks Like

Before any session, Taylor grounds herself with breathwork (a slow inhale of four counts, exhale of eight) and meditation. She cleanses her crystals with the sun, palo santo, or sage, and may ask for a photo of her clients beforehand so she can meditate on them and send good energy ahead of time. If clients are open to it, she guides them through a meditation together before the camera ever comes out.

An Intro to Somatic Work

For those unfamiliar, somatic work is movement or practices centered in the body (the word "soma" means body) that help regulate the nervous system. Taylor breaks down accessible entry points like three intentional deep breaths when you wake up, morning and evening journaling with a gratitude journal, going outside for a few minutes of sunlight, or simply moving your body in whatever way feels right. Her key message for all of it though is that it doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming, especially when you first start introducing yourself to it.

Daily Rituals

Taylor walks through her full day with me on the podcast. Her waking up without immediately reaching for her phone, opening the blinds to let in natural light, doing breathwork with feet planted on the floor, writing in her Daily Gratitude Journal, and heading to the gym. She keeps three calendars (a wall calendar, a digital calendar, and a physical planner) to stay organized across her multiple roles. Her evenings wind down with tea, gentle yoga, finishing her gratitude journal, and reading for leisure with her phone off well before she starts her nighttime routine.

Entrepreneurship as a Personal Growth Journey

She reflects on what she's learned about herself through building her business. She's a self-described "hard ass" who gives everything her full effort. She also shares how working with me early on helped her zoom out and look at the bigger picture of what she actually wants from her life and business — not just what she was building, but why. That was such a surprise to me and made me so happy to hear!

Working With Young Dancers

In the past year or so, Taylor has expanded her work to include elite child and teen dancers. She's been incorporating yoga and somatic tools into their experience, helping them uncouple their self-worth from the mirror and from comparison. She sees it as a natural extension of her mission and families have started asking "What would Taylor do?" at home, which she finds incredibly heartwarming.

What’s Coming Up

Taylor is currently in the thick of dance competition season and is deeply invested in supporting her young dancers. Summer is also on the horizon, where she'll be returning as a photographer at a summer camp. This is a role she loves because it lets her experience childhood joy through the eyes of the kids she's photographing.

Connect with Taylor

Website: https://www.tsphotography.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t.s_photographyy/

TikTok: @tsphotos29