Alumni Spotlight - Taylor Crawford '17

eNews Alumni Spotlight highlights alumni who give back to Frostburg in some way – time, talent, treasure or any combination. This edition of eNews features Taylor Crawford '17. 

Current City: Baltimore, Md. 

Current Occupation: Photographer and Creative Director

Why did you choose to attend FSU?

I chose to attend FSU from hearing how diverse of a demographic the campus had from my friend who attended a year before I did. I was also curious about the Appalachian area and couldn’t believe there was a college out there!

What three words can you use to describe FSU?

Spontaneous, Grounding, and Adventurous

Why do you do for fun?

I love to travel! It’s actually thanks to FSU that I developed a passion for traveling which started from studying abroad my spring semester 2017. I’ve been to over 20 countries and love to culturally immerse myself in every country I visit. I also love to listen to live music, going to DJ sets, going to speakeasys and art shows.

Which faculty and/or staff member influenced you as a student?

There’s actually quite a few that come to mind. First off Liz Nelson '01/M17 from when I worked at Phoneathon for two and a half years. I greatly appreciated how she took care of all of the students and the overall insight and advice she gave us from her experience as an FSU alum. I also often think about Dr. Shoshanna Brassfield. Even though I’m not a Philosophy major, taking her class freshman and sophomore years was one of the highlights of my FSU journey. I found myself consistently visiting her office before graduating.

Why do you give back (time, talent and/or treasure) to FSU? 

Without FSU, I wouldn’t be the person or the artist I am today. The five years I spent in school truly showed me my greater purpose and gave me key resources and lessons that I still carry with me throughout my life.

What is your favorite memory as a student?                 

It would probably have to be the day my friends and I went to Dan’s Rock for the first time. We brought some food and had a little picnic and then spontaneously went to Rocky Gap and took a hike and sat by the lake. We then had dinner at the restaurant at the resort sitting by the fire pit as the sun set and it was overall a day filled with love and good vibes.

What advice would you give to a student currently studying your major?

100% take on some Business and Marketing courses!!!! While I’m thankful for everything I learned within the art department when it came to developing my work, I feel like it's super vital to know how to market and make a living off of your art. I took it upon myself to add Business Administration and Entrepreneurship as two of my minors. It was one of the best decisions I made because it showed me how to scale and operate my business as a full-time artist. A lot of what I learned I apply to my business today.

Tell us about a class or activity at FSU that has had a surprising effect on your life. 

I remember one day Professor Dustin Davis stopped me in the hallway and persuaded me to take his sculpture class. I was so nervous about it because it was so opposite from what I do with photography. But to this day, learning how to weld metal is something I still bring up to this day! It was so therapeutic and I felt so satisfied seeing the jewelry pieces I made come to life. I truly enjoyed the class and if the opportunity presented itself again I’d grab a blow torch with the quickness!

What is a cause dear to your heart? 

I would definitely say the BSA (Black Student Organization). As someone who has deep pride in her blackness and in her culture, it felt very good to have a safe space where people like me can cultivate within the community, lean on each other when things get hard, and overall be one with my people.

List any professional or personal accomplishments we can celebrate with you. 

I recently won a worldwide competition with Nikon and Black Women Photographers and was blessed with a brand new camera! I also am about to land my first international magazine cover this upcoming spring for a magazine based in Tokyo!