Hi! I’m Payton, a filmmaker and photographer drawn to authentic, story driven imagery.

I create documentary style films and photographs that preserve real moments and meaningful stories. Over the past four years, I’ve worked with couples, families, and brands to create imagery that feels honest, natural, and deeply connected to the people in front of the camera.

My approach is rooted in documentary storytelling. Rather than staging every moment, I focus on observing what’s already there… the emotions, the atmosphere, and the small interactions that often say the most. The goal is to create images and films that feel authentic in the present and meaningful for years to come.

In 2025, I served as Director of Photography on the feature documentary Innocenti, an experience that further shaped how I approach visual storytelling. Working on a long form documentary reinforced the importance of patience and intention, principles that I carry into every project I take on.

Today, I run Ferncliff Media while pursuing a degree in Cinema & Photography at Robert Morris University. Whether I’m documenting a wedding, creating work for a brand, or photographing a landscape close to home, the goal remains the same: to create thoughtful imagery that preserves real stories.