Get to Know Taylor
Teacher / Photographer
Hey there! I’m Taylor Payne. I’m a full-time high school math and computer science teacher, an eSports coach, and the eye behind the lens here at Spark Over Georgia. My photography journey actually started in the air with a DJI Spark drone, combined with shooting birds on my stepdad’s old Canon Rebel T6. Put it all together, and Spark Over Georgia was born!
I’ve been capturing weddings since 2024, cutting my teeth as a second shooter alongside some incredible local photographers (whom I still love shooting with whenever I can). When I'm not in the classroom or behind the camera, I’ve been happily married to my college sweetheart for eight years, and we have an incredible three-year-old daughter.
As a teacher, I love working with high school seniors and prom groups—my daily job means I know exactly how to use just enough "teen lingo" and cheesy dad jokes to get genuine smiles. But my real passion project? Working with young couples marrying straight out of college. My wife and I did just that, and looking back at our own photos, I made it my mission to give couples beautiful, high-end memories at a price point that makes sense for where they are in life.
My approach
Here is a little secret: I absolutely hate being in front of the camera. Because I know exactly how awkward it can feel to have a lens pointed at you, my entire approach is designed to make you feel completely comfortable, relaxed, and at ease.
My style is intentionally "light and airy" - I use prime lenses to create bright, true-to-color, and timeless images. But beyond the technical side, my main goal on your wedding day is to lower your stress and keep things flowing smoothly. Think of our time together less like a rigid photo session and more like a fun, low-pressure date night. You focus on celebrating, and I’ll handle capturing the magic.
Quick Facts
Get to know a bit about Me
When I’m not teaching or editing, here is what my world looks like:
Board Game Nerd: I have two entire bookshelves packed with board games. My absolute favorite is Wingspan (which feels full circle considering my bird photography roots!).
Championship Coach: I coach our school's eSports team, and we’ve taken home a GHSA State Trophy in Smash Ultimate and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, plus an Eastern National PlayVS Cup!
Musician at Heart: I play the piano at my church and can also play the guitar.
Nintendo Fan: I'm a massive Nintendo Switch fan, specifically anything and everything related to the Pokémon franchise and Mario Kart.
Marvel Buff: Huge Spider-Man fan.
Georgia Grown: I grew up in Augusta but am proud to call Valdosta home.
Let’s work together
