Meet Payton Hartsell | Wedding Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Payton Hartsell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Payton, what do you attribute your success to?
I think the biggest factor behind my success has been leading with intention and care. I’m fully invested in the people I work with. I really value clear communication, so I always aim to make sure nothing feels confusing or up in the air. From the initial email to the final gallery delivery, I want every part of the experience to feel seamless and thoughtful. Most of the people I photograph, I end up documenting every milestone and achievement in their lives, and it’s the coolest thing to be trusted with all those big moments. That level of care and connection is what turns the experience into something truly memorable for us all. At the end of the day, I want my clients to feel seen, not just in the photos, but throughout the entire process.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My photography has always been rooted in storytelling. I shoot with a film-inspired, nostalgic style that captures people as they are, not just how they look. I care about creating photos that reflect who someone really is in that chapter of life, without forcing anything. I’ve been drawn to documenting life for as long as I can remember. I was that kid who always had a camera with me, and I joined my high school yearbook staff as soon as I could. Eventually I became head editor, and that experience taught me so much. The hardest part to overcome was finding myself in my style. I used to read and watch everything about artists who seemed like they just had it all figured out. But I started my business so young, I was still trying to find myself in real life too. It took time, but I eventually learned to trust my creative instincts and make the kind of art I actually liked. And it turns out, that’s when everything started to fall into place. I was finally able to support myself fully through my work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d want to give them a little mix of everything. Some good food, some laughs, and a few of my favorite places that make the city feel like home.

We’d probably start with shopping, because I have to take people to my favorite Salvation Army. I always find the best stuff there. After we hit a few thrifts, we’d grab lunch at Gringo’s (chips and queso are a must) and maybe go for a bike ride through Buffalo Bayou. That’s actually how I find a lot of my hidden gem photo locations, just riding around and exploring new corners of the city. To end the night, we’d go downtown for drinks and a comedy show, because I feel like nothing beats good cocktails and a stand-up set. Houston’s full of cool places and cozy pockets, but I think the best part is how much variety you can fit into a single day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My dad gave me my first little baby pink point-and-shoot camera for my 9th birthday, and I swear that moment shaped the entire trajectory of my life. From that day on, my family has always been in my corner: my mom, grandparents, siblings, all cheering me on through every phase of this journey. They never once made me feel like photography was just a phase or something I had to grow out of. I also have so much gratitude for the couples and families who trusted me when I was just starting out. I shot my first wedding at fifteen, and the fact that someone saw something in me at that age and said, “Yep, we believe in you” is something I’ll never forget. So much of my story is built on love and trust, from my family and every client who’s invited me into their life. Carrying that on into my business has always felt second nature.

Website: https://www.paytonhartsell.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paytonhartsell

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paytonhartsellphotography