Taylor Cardinio of $6.76 Plus-Tax Talks Tavik Case Collab
In the words of Taylor Cardinio, “$6.76 Plus-Tax is a disposable camera collection of friends, travels, surf, girls, strangers and everything else that’s f***ing cool.” There’s no denying these photos are both captivating and pretty f***ing cool. Cardinio exhibits his photos via Instagram at @676plustax, to his many fans – over 30,000 to be exact. His unique style of capturing the moment in photos and videos epitomizes lifestyle of Modern Beach Culture.
Lending his take on Modern Beach Culture, Taylor and TAVIK came together to create the $6.76 Plus-Tax iPhone Case Collection. The result? Two worlds of cool colliding in three photos turned prints on iPhone 5/5s cases now available on tavik.com.
For a closer look into the collaboration, read TAVIK’s interview with Taylor below:
How did $6.76 Plus Tax start?
I've been taking photos on a disposable camera all my life. Like basically all kids, but maybe a little more interested in the way that piece of plastic works than most kids. It was never anything serious until about a year ago when I met my girlfriend... At the time she was just my hot neighbor (convenient, I know). I would make up some shit like I had a whole disposable camera thing going just so she would let me take photos of her. I then started taking photos of everything I was doing and everybody I was around. Models, artists, professional surfers, designers, strangers, lovers, but most importantly these people were my friends. I'd just be out doing what Id always do or be somewhere id normally be but always have a disposable camera with me. From there it grew, naturally.
Taylor with girlfriend Cait Barker
Taylor with girlfriend The most important thing to me about the whole 676 shit is I don't like being called a photographer. At all, actually. If you have an Instagram nowadays you're a photographer, everyone's a photographer. The art is in the experience. Really being there, really meeting that person, really smiling, cussing, laughing, fighting, loving. We're too focused on getting the "right" photo for our instagram's nowadays that we miss all the feelings of what it is we actually came for. Plus, what's the "right" fucking photo anyways?
Why did you choose TAVIK? What do you like best about working with TAVIK?
I mainly joined TAVIK because Mark Powell (TAVIK’S Creative Director) is a big influence on me. He subconsciously taught me a lot before working for TAVIK and now teaches me daily since being on the team. I also saw the potential TAVIK was bringing to the table in the industry. The product keeps getting better and better and it's something to be excited about.
TAVIK Creative Director, Mark Powell (left) with Taylor Cardinio (right)
TAVIK Creative Director, Mark Powell (left) with Taylor Cardinio (right)
Why did you choose cases over apparel for a collaboration with TAVIK?
I chose cases for a collaboration because everyone's best friend nowadays is their phone. It allows a lot of eyes to see it everyday, whereas a t-shirt might get worn once then become a cleaning rag. Hopefully soon we can collaborate on a couple t-shirts. Ones that won't end up as cleaning rags.
What are the three images you chose to include in the collaboration?
The three new images I chose for my collaboration with TAVIK are:
- Neon hotel sign
- A guy and girl hanging out and drinking (sounds cheesy but it's abstract and kinda cool)
- A Palm tree scene
You have so many amazing pictures, why did you select these 3 to be a part of the case collaboration? Any significance or inspiration behind these specifically?
I chose these three images because I felt that they represent Modern Beach and 676 both mutually. Bright lights, fast times and ocean minded. We all surf, but none of this full performance bull shit. We drink, stay up late and have fun but we're learning and developing our taste level in the meantime. That's what these three cases all rooted from. That time and that place.
Taylor in the TAVIK Crew T-Shirt
Taylor in the