Don Taylor of Don Taylor’s Photography during an interview Tuesday afternoon in his studio in Central Park Square. Photo by Carol A. Clark/adailypost.com

Don Taylor’s Photography is celebrating 35 years in business and owner Don Taylor is brimming with gratitude.

“The people in Los Alamos are very loyal to small businesses and I find that so rewarding,” Taylor told the Los Alamos Daily Post during an interview Tuesday at his studio in Central Park Square. “When I think of those 35 years – I am thankful. I have a lot of followers of several generations and to me it’s all about the customer … we want them to be happy and we do a very good job and I believe that is why I’ve been here so long.”

Taylor said he enjoys his work immensely and has no plans whatsoever to retire.

“Like any artist you really like what you do and over time perfect your craft and I think I’ve done that,” he said. “I feel that I have the best job in the world and live in a great community so I’m not going anywhere.”

Taylor moved his studio Jan. 2, 2018 from its longtime location on Central Avenue to 181 Central Park Square, next door to Origami Restaurant. He said people like his new location in that it’s centrally located and within walking distance to places such as the post office, CB FOX and Metzger’s, allowing people to do all of their errands in one trip.

Taylor started the business with his wife Heidi, who passed away in 2015. He is the third owner the business, which dates back to 1947 and founder Victor Stevenson. The second owner was Don Elliott of who was a Los Alamos National Laboratory photographer. Elliott later advertised the business for sale in a trade publication, which Taylor read while living in New England. He decided to buy the business and move to Los Alamos but then he met Heidi.

“Had she not wanted to come with me, I wouldn’t have done it,” he said. “I bought the business in 1984 and we had a long-distance relationship for a year before we married.”

He and Heidi went on to have two children, Luke and Hannah. As they reached middle school, both children wanted to work with their parents in the business, where they were taught the importance of excellent customer service.

Luke, graduated from Northern Arizona University with a business degree and now lives in Montana and works in management for Federal Express and loves it, Taylor said. Hannah also graduated from NAU and now lives and works in property management in Santa Fe.

Taylor has been a professional photographer since 1978, attending many schools including the New England Institute of Professional Photography and the Winona Institute of Professional Photography, and is a graduate of the Hallmark Institute of Professional Photography. He is an active member of the Professional Photographers of America, the Professional Photographers Association of New Mexico and the Photo Marketing Association.

Taylor has a great appreciation for the history he shares with many local families. When he arrived in Los Alamos 35 years ago, he photographed babies and children and eventually their senior high school pictures, weddings and now their children.

He has provided the photography for local sports teams and has up to seven assistants help him each season. June will mark his 35th year photographing the graduating class at Los Alamos High School.

Over the years, Taylor has won awards for his photography at the state, regional and national levels. He said it has always been important to stay current with technology. He bought a one-hour photo mini lab in 1985 that was state of the art at the time. The studio went completely digital in 2005 and is now on its fourth-generation mini lab, which allows him to still provide prints for his clients.

Taylor explained that he most enjoys sitting down with his clients to plan their portraits including location, clothing suggestions and framing options.

“I get to do the best of both worlds,” he said. “And that’s kind of the cat’s meow you know!”

Don Taylor’s Photography is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For information on the services available, call 505.662.2523 or visit www.dontaylors.com.