Joshua Taylor is deeply rooted in the soil that raised him. A son of Chicago’s South Side, he carries his city in his lens, in his voice, and in the quiet conviction that guides his work. Growing up between working-class realities and artistic aspirations, he learned early on how the world tries to define a young Black boy’s limits. Instead of accepting those boundaries, he chose to imagine something broader—and then build it piece by piece.

His photography reflects this layered upbringing. Taylor embraces Chicago in all its complexity, honoring both its beauty and its grit. He captures alleyway basketball games that feel like neighborhood block parties, small-business owners who turn passion into livelihood, and elders whose stories shaped the streets long before they knew their influence. To him, these are not casual snapshots; they are living archives, proof that history is being made in ordinary moments every single day.

Photography as Presence and Power

Taylor works with intention. Every frame he creates is an invitation to slow down, to witness, to remember. His practice is grounded in community storytelling, documenting the lives of Black professionals, creatives, and everyday people who often exist outside the mainstream gaze.

Each image disrupts misperception. Each portrait amplifies legacy. And together, they reclaim the right to be seen in full.

“I want to take power back into the narrative of telling our own stories,” Taylor says. “We are brilliant, we are successful, and we create every day. My work exists to showcase that.”

For Taylor, photography is not merely a career—it is a tool of remembrance and a pathway to self-discovery. His portraits don’t just freeze a moment in time; they reveal transformation. They show people stepping into who they are becoming, claiming space that has always belonged to them.

“Much of my work is about helping people see themselves in a way they’ve never been seen before,” he explains. “This isn’t just a photo—it’s legacy. When the session is over, this image will outlive both of us.”

Building the Next Generation of Storytellers

Taylor’s influence doesn’t stop at his own camera. His mentorship with Chicago youth is a testament to his belief that representation is a community responsibility. He pushes young people to document their world—whether with a professional camera, a phone, or anything that captures light—because he knows the power of seeing one’s life reflected back with dignity.

He teaches them that creativity is not about waiting for inspiration; it’s about recognizing the extraordinary inside the ordinary. A quiet moment at a bus stop. A shared laugh on a school playground. A grandmother’s hands braiding hair. These are stories worth preserving.

Creation as a Practice of Faith and Action

Taylor approaches photography the same way he approaches life: as a process of construction. One small choice at a time, one moment stacked onto the next, until something meaningful takes shape. This philosophy is why the Because of You: Legacy in Focus LEGO set resonates so deeply with him.

“You can have a whole pile of bricks, but it’s not going to be anything until you decide to take one and put it in front of the other,” he says. “My grandfather used to say, ‘You can pray all you want, but nothing’s going to happen until you move your feet.’”

A Living Legacy, Built One Image at a Time

Taylor’s work is movement—steady, intentional, and deeply connected to the past that shaped him and the future he hopes to influence. His images form a conversation between generations, celebrating Black life in all its brilliance, resilience, and everyday magic.

He doesn’t just document Chicago.
He honors it.
He builds with it.
He remembers for it.
And he ensures that those who often go unseen are captured with the fullness they deserve.