Today we’d like to introduce you to Payton McGaha.
Hi Payton, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Temple/Belton Texas with my parents and my older sister. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved taking photos. I vividly remember taking our family digital camera and doing a “photoshoot” with my dog in our back yard when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I was always on the hunt for a good photo opportunity. Any time I passed a scenic hill on a drive or saw a cool archway on a building, I would always envision the shot I would try and get if I had a camera on hand.
Once I got my first smart phone in middle school, I started taking pictures of everything I could, and when I got to high school, I signed up for the Digital Media class. This was when I picked up my first high end camera and I absolutely fell in love with it. There was one specific moment when I was at my grandparents’ house and my Paw Paw took out his guitar and started playing. He hadn’t touched his guitar in a very long time due to arthritic fingers and the beginning stages of what we later found out was dementia. I quickly took out my phone and snapped a photo of him because I knew this very well might be the last time he picked up his guitar. I have treasured that photo for years and I am so grateful I took it, especially once he went Home to be with Jesus on New Year’s Day 2023.
I dreamed of making photography something more than just a hobby for years and years, but I kept feeling like I needed to have a “real job” in order to make a living, so I shied away from it. I attended The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and in 2021, I graduated with my degree in Education and then became a 6th grade Science teacher. I lasted about 2.5 years before I broke down in tears because I just did not feel like I was living out was I was called to do. After many prayers and conversations with my husband, we decided that I was going to quit teaching to pursue my passion.
Once I stopped teaching, I became the Social Media and Communications Manager for my dear friends Jade and Kyle Pierce, who own Jade and Kyle Photography. Jade and Kyle shot our engagement photos, our wedding, and later on, both of our girls’ births! Working with them allowed me to be in my element and work towards my ultimate dream of being a photographer myself. I also worked the social media page for The Starting Place Birth and Wellness Center, where I delivered both my daughters, and that allowed me to dive into the birth world a little more, which really assisted in me finding my niche.
After working for the birth center and having both of my daughters’ births photographed, I felt the pulling towards motherhood, family, and birth photography. The moments leading up to meeting your baby for the first time, all the work your body is doing, and the miracle that is bringing a new life into the world are all things that deserve to be remembered and documented.
I saved up and bought my first camera and messaged my friend who was expecting her second baby girl and asked if she would let me take photos of her birth so I could gain experience for what I was wanting to pursue. She graciously allowed me to be a part of her birth team and I was able to shoot my first birth. I was in awe and I cried once baby girl was born (now something that I do at every birth!) I then officially launched MoonSparrow Photography and there’s been no looking back!
There are two things that make me feel 100% fulfilled in my purpose on this earth. One is being a wife to my incredible husband and a mom to my two beautiful girls. The other is standing in a delivery room, camera in hand, documenting a new life coming earthside.
I now document couples, families, maternity, fresh 48s, seniors, and newborns. I do a bit of everything right now, but my ultimate dream is to exclusively do motherhood and birth photography.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been smooth. There’s definitely been a learning curve when it comes to equipment, learning the ins and outs of lighting settings (a tricky thing when it comes to birth environments), editing, and the time commitment. In between my work for the birth center and starting my own business, I was a stay-at-home mom, where I could put my undivided attention towards my kids 100% of the time. Now that I have my own business to run, there’s been some trial and error of figuring out a work/life balance. I’m still figuring it out and nothing is perfect, but it’s still the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently offer sessions for couples, families, high school/college seniors, maternity, birth, and fresh 48/newborns. I also offer packages that bundles maternity, birth, and newborns. My clients get a personalized experience with me from start to finish. My goal is to make them feel as comfortable as possible throughout the entire process.
I think the thing I am most proud of is that I pushed myself to make the jump into the unknown of starting a business from the ground up when I had such a secure and “safe” job in Education before. I’m proud that I chose to do something with my life that provides true fulfillment for not only myself, but also to the clients I pour myself in to.
The market is very saturated with photographers – it truly feels like every other Facebook post I see is someone saying they’re starting photography – so sometimes it’s hard for me to see what sets me apart from others. My hope, however, is that my love for Jesus shines through my work and my interactions with clients. I am first called to love Christ. I am then called to love others like He does. And I hope the way I do my job glorifies Him and THAT’S what sets me apart.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I had an incredible childhood and there are far too many memories to pick one single favorite…but the first one that comes to mind is playing with my big sister, Taylor, in our old house before we moved. She and I shared a room and we had this bonus room at the back of the house, which we called “The Back Room” (in a very dramatic tone). It used to be my nursery but when I got old enough to share a room with her, it turned into our playroom/club. The very back bench seat of our Expedition was removable and our parents put it in The Back Room for us to use as a couch and we thought it was THE coolest thing in the universe. We had a karaoke machine that probably played more songs than we knew, but we only ever sang Shania Twain. My poor mother probably heard us belting Up! and Waiter! Bring Me Water! far too many times at the ripe ages of 4 and 9. It didn’t matter what we were doing, when I was with my sister, I had the time of my life (and still do)!
Pricing:
- Full Lifestyle/Portrait Sessions – $350
- Mini Sessions – $125
- Birth – $600
- The Sparrow Collection (maternity + birth + newborns/fresh 48) – $900
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.moonsparrowphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonsparrowphotography?vrfl=ZGpvZDN6MXN3aWd5&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EBFLtEQBo/?mibextid=wwXIfr
