Sam Taylor-Johnson started working in photography and film in the 1990s, alongside fellow Young British Artists, Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin. She exhibited at Venice Biennale 1997, winning the Illy Café Prize for Most Promising Young Artist, and receiving a Turner Prize nomination in 1998.

In 2008, Sam directed BAFTA and Palme d’Or nominated, Sundance-winning short film, LOVE YOU MORE. She then directed her debut NOWHERE BOY (2009), a biographical drama about John Lennon’s adolescence. Nowhere Boy was nominated for four BAFTAs, including Outstanding Debut for Sam’s direction.

Taylor-Johnson broke records for the biggest opening for a female director for her adaptation of best-selling novel FIFTY SHADES OF GREY (2015). In 2017 Sam executive produced and directed the pilot episode of Netflix Original psychological thriller GYPSY starring Naomi Watts.

As an artist she has exhibited at the Guggenheim, with solo exhibitions at The Hirshhorn Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, Museum of Contemporary Art Houston, Walker Art Center Minneapolis among many other prestigious museums.