Rising Stars: Meet Taylor Peddicord of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Peddicord.

Hi Taylor, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been the “crazy lady” of pictures. I was the person documenting everything. Every middle school party we had, every vacation, every dinner, every little moment that probably seemed insignificant at the time. If something was happening, I probably had a camera or phone in my hand. I’ve always had this love for capturing life as it was happening, but as I got older, that love took on a whole new meaning. I began to understand just how precious life moments are, how quickly they pass, and how much they deserve to be documented.

About six years ago, while living in North Carolina, I picked up a camera and decided I wanted to learn how to actually use one. At the time, photography was simply a hobby. I had no idea that one little decision would eventually turn into the career and business I have today.

While I was in North Carolina, I focused primarily on lifestyle photography. I photographed a lot of military homecomings, couples, and families, and those sessions taught me so much about the heart of photography. Military homecomings especially showed me how powerful a photograph can be. There was so much emotion packed into those moments: the anticipation of finally seeing someone again, the hugs, the tears, the laughter, and all of the emotions that are sometimes impossible to put into words. It made me realize that I wasn’t just interested in taking pretty pictures. I wanted to preserve how a moment felt.

From there, photography slowly grew from a hobby into something much bigger. Friends and family began asking me to photograph their moments, those opportunities turned into paid sessions, and in 2019, I officially started my photography business.

As the business grew, so did I. I continued photographing couples and families, but eventually weddings began to become a larger part of my work. It felt like a natural progression. I was already drawn to documenting relationships, emotion, and the little moments that happen in between the big ones. Weddings simply brought all of those things together in one day.

Over the years, the business has grown far beyond what I could have imagined when I first picked up that camera. I’ve had the opportunity to photograph countless couples and families, work at incredible venues, and build a business that allows me to be creative while also creating a meaningful experience for my clients.

Today, my work is primarily centered around weddings, with an emphasis on creating imagery that feels timeless, intentional, and true to the people I’m photographing. I’ve also recently entered a new chapter with my rebrand to Taylor Lynn Collective, which feels like a natural evolution of everything I’ve built since starting in 2019.

When I look back, I think what makes me most proud is that I never really set out to build a photography business. I just loved taking pictures. I loved remembering. I loved having something tangible to look back on. Somewhere along the way, that passion became a career, and now I get to give other people those same memories to hold onto.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a business is never easy, especially when you’re building it from the ground up. One of my biggest challenges came when I had to move back to Ohio from North Carolina with just 30 days’ notice, arriving two weeks before COVID shut down the world.

In North Carolina, I had built my business around lifestyle photography, especially couples, families, and military homecomings. Moving to Ohio meant starting over in a completely new market. Couples portraits just for the sake of documenting their relationship weren’t as common here as they had been in a military town, so I had to refocus and figure out where my work fit. That shift ultimately led me toward weddings, which became the foundation of my business today.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Today, I primarily specialize in wedding photography, with a focus on creating images that feel timeless, intentional, and true to each couple. My background in lifestyle photography still influences the way I work. I’m drawn to genuine emotion, real connection, and the in between moments just as much as the big, beautifully planned ones.

I’m known for being fun, lively, and bringing good energy to a wedding day. I want my couples and their bridal parties to actually enjoy being photographed, while also knowing when to step in and take charge. I’m very directive when needed, especially when it comes to portraits and keeping the day moving, but I never want photography to feel stiff or overly posed.

What I’m most proud of is the business I’ve built from the ground up and the relationships that have come with it. I started with a camera and a passion for documenting people, and it has grown into a career that allows me to preserve some of the most meaningful moments in people’s lives.

What sets me apart is that I care just as much about the experience as I do the final images. I’m there to create beautiful photographs, but I’m also there to keep the energy up, help my couples feel comfortable, and step in when they need someone to take the lead. From planning and timeline creation to the wedding day itself, I want the entire experience to feel intentional, personal, and genuinely fun.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
A few resources have become staples in both my business and creative work. I use HoneyBook to help streamline my CRM and keep the client experience organized from inquiry through delivery.

I also love listening to The Vendor Table podcast. It’s a great mix of wedding industry conversations, real experiences, and usually a good laugh, which is sometimes exactly what you need during a busy season.

For the photography side, Unscripted is a go-to resource when I need a little creative reset or want to find the best lighting times for a session.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.taylorlynncollective.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlynncollective
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Taylorlynncollective