Deep in the heart of Texas, photographing lovers worldwide


Deep in the heart of Texas, photographing lovers worldwide


PAYTON HARTSELL

I specialize in capturing timeless, artful wedding and engagement photography with a vintage, film-inspired style. Based in Houston, Texas, I travel worldwide to create imagery that feels honest, intentional, and emotional. I’ll cheer you on & hype you up, and if I’m lucky, be your new all-time favorite photographer. So while you’re here, dip your toes in and take a look around. Whether you're planning a backyard wedding, a courthouse elopement, or a dreamy destination celebration, I’m happy to have you.

If your love is magnetic, undeniable, and absolutely everything your younger self ever dreamed of, it deserves to be documented.

Film-inspired, 
digitally made.

Film-inspired, digitally made.

Houston Wedding Photographer
Payton Hartsell

FROM: HOUSTON, TEXAS   TO: WHEREVER YOU ARE

FROM: TEXAS   TO: WHEREVER YOU ARE

Connecting with the aesthetic of your photographer's portfolio is essential. My purpose in what I do is to capture your raw emotion in all its glory, effortlessly and unscripted. Tell me all the mushy-gushy memories, what you were wearing the day you met one another, and how you knew this was definitely the one. You tell me your love story and I’ll illustrate it through timeless photographs you will proudly show to everyone you know and the generations to follow.

DIGITAL IMAGES WITH A ROMANTIC FILM FEEL

Timeless, Documentary, 
Vintage, Nostalgic
Wedding Photography

Style:

YOUR LOVE, SEEN & FELT,
WRITTEN ARTFULLY IN LIGHT & COLOR.

kendra & christian

We are so thankful that we had Payton's creativity the day of our wedding! She worked around the obstacle of rain and captured the most dreamy pictures ever. It was everything I wanted! She was beyond easy to work with throughout every process, from beginning to end. She was open to any requests we had; she makes you feel heard, which was so special for us. I can't recommend her enough! Her talent is so evident in her work.""

Madison & luke

We loved every step of the way with Payton. She is very organized and a wonderful person. When we first met her for our shoot, I was very nervous having never done something like this before, but she made it feel as if we were life long friends. A fantastic and easy experience overall!"

Lyndsey & Stuart

I’d give Payton a 10/10 over & over again! She is MAGICAL to work with and so kind. I hired Payton for my engagement photos and she did such an amazing job that I can’t wait for her team to tackle my wedding next! She’s incredibly talented and I love working with her. I know you will too!"

Ashley jurak | owner of vow & voyage

Payton is absolutely extraordinary. She is able to make a couple feel so comfortable and really capture the essence of their love. As a wedding planner, I love photographers who are flexible and positive, and Payton certainly exceeds all expectations! She is so fun to work with and really has an eye for beautiful photos. Her editing style is also unique and stunning. I will continue to recommend her to future clients. A must have!!!"

Hannah & Austin

Payton is amazing!!! She made our experience so special, easy, and fun! Not only did my husband and I love our experience with her, but our kids adore her & so do our extended family. She made our wedding feel magical long after it was over by capturing memories that we will cherish forever. How she manages to take a couple and turn them into absolute STARS is beyond me. I can’t say enough good things about her. She will capture everything you ever wanted and so much more. She’s more than just a photographer. She will be your hype-man, personal cheerleader, and friend. And I am so so so glad I chose her"

Madeline & scott

Payton made the entire wedding experience from beginning to end so easy and beautiful. Her ability to capture pure human emotion and the love my spouse and I share for one another is unmatched. Truly a standout in the industry!! We couldn’t recommend her more and will be using her throughout our lifetimes."

tess & Blake

We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer for our Vegas elopement! Flying Payton out was the best decision—she made the day unforgettable and flow so smoothly. We love her so much. She’s been there for every milestone, from our wedding to maternity, birth, and family photos and every picture is BEAUTIFUL. We appreciate her so much."

Gabrielle & william

Payton surpassed our expectations and then some! We wanted moody, authentic and candid photos that showed the love and joy we surround ourselves with. Not only did she do that, but she captured so many moments we didn’t have time to fully appreciate the day of. I would recommend her 10000000x over and we will be using her for all of our future shoots."

Victoria & Eric

Payton did our engagement shoot and our wedding and she was so amazing. Good communication, easy to work with and she really captured the aesthetic we wanted for our day. She went above and beyond to get some late night/last minute shots of our day that ended up being some of our favorites. We have gotten so many compliments on our unique wedding photos and I cannot recommend Payton enough. I’m so glad we found her!"

Sally & Tyson

I'm so glad we chose Payton to be our wedding photographer! She was easy and wonderful to work with and captured so many amazing moments. Her photographs are truly one of a kind. We still have people commenting on them even a year later! I definitely recommend her to anyone who needs professional photographs. I can't say enough good things about her!"

LUISA & KYLE

We could not recommend Payton enough! Not only is she so so talented but she was seriously a breath of fresh air in the middle of the chaos. Truly one of the best, if you have a chance to book with her, DO IT!!!!"

haley & sean

Payton was so accommodating to our vision and captured exactly what we were looking for. Her efficiency and expertise made us feel comfortable in front of the camera and gave us memories we will always hold close to our heart. Highly, highly recommend."

Mallory & Lance

Payton did my wedding photos and I was completely in love. She was so professional, sweet, and really has a perfect eye for detail. My wedding ceremony was near sunset, and the lowlight work that she did was amazing. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for great pictures for any occasion."

Love Notes

Love
Notes

reviews

Madeline & scott

"Payton made the entire wedding experience from beginning to end so easy and beautiful. Her ability to capture pure human emotion and the love my spouse and I share for one another is unmatched. Truly a standout in the industry!! We couldn’t recommend her more and will be using her throughout our lifetimes."

Madison & Luke

"We loved every step of the way with Payton. She is very organized and a wonderful person. When we first met her for our shoot, I was very nervous having never done something like this before, but she made it feel as if we were life long friends. A fantastic and easy experience overall!"

hannah & austin

"Payton is amazing!!! She made our experience so special, easy, and fun! Not only did my husband and I love our experience with her, but our kids adore her & so do our extended family. She made our wedding feel magical long after it was over by capturing memories that we will cherish forever. How she manages to take a couple and turn them into absolute STARS is beyond me. I can’t say enough good things about her. She will capture everything you ever wanted and so much more. She’s more than just a photographer. She will be your hype-man, personal cheerleader, and friend. And I am so so so glad I chose her"

lyndsey & Stuart

"I’d give Payton a 10/10 over & over again! She is MAGICAL to work with and so kind. I hired Payton for my engagement photos and she did such an amazing job that I can’t wait for her team to tackle my wedding next! She’s incredibly talented and I love working with her. I know you will too!"

tess & Blake

"We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer for our Vegas elopement! Flying Payton out was the best decision—she made the day unforgettable and flow so smoothly. We love her so much. She’s been there for every milestone, from our wedding to maternity, birth, and family photos and every picture is BEAUTIFUL. We appreciate her so much."

Ashley Jurak
owner of vow & voyage

"Payton is absolutely extraordinary. She is able to make a couple feel so comfortable and really capture the essence of their love. As a wedding planner, I love photographers who are flexible and positive, and Payton certainly exceeds all expectations! She is so fun to work with and really has an eye for beautiful photos. Her editing style is also unique and stunning. I will continue to recommend her to future clients. A must have!!!

Kendra & Christian

"We are so thankful that we had Payton's creativity the day of our wedding! She worked around the obstacle of rain and captured the most dreamy pictures ever. It was everything I wanted! She was beyond easy to work with throughout every process, from beginning to end. She was open to any requests we had; she makes you feel heard, which was so special for us. I can't recommend her enough! Her talent is so evident in her work.""

gabrielle & William

"Payton surpassed our expectations and then some! We wanted moody, authentic and candid photos that showed the love and joy we surround ourselves with. Not only did she do that, but she captured so many moments we didn’t have time to fully appreciate the day of. I would recommend her 10000000x over and we will be using her for all of our future shoots."

victoria & Eric

"Payton did our engagement shoot and our wedding and she was so amazing. Good communication, easy to work with and she really captured the aesthetic we wanted for our day. She went above and beyond to get some late night/last minute shots of our day that ended up being some of our favorites. We have gotten so many compliments on our unique wedding photos and I cannot recommend Payton enough. I’m so glad we found her!"

sally & Tyson

"I'm so glad we chose Payton to be our wedding photographer! She was easy and wonderful to work with and captured so many amazing moments. Her photographs are truly one of a kind. We still have people commenting on them even a year later! I definitely recommend her to anyone who needs professional photographs. I can't say enough good things about her!"

Luisa & Kyle

"We could not recommend Payton enough! Not only is she so so talented but she was seriously a breath of fresh air in the middle of the chaos. Truly one of the best, if you have a chance to book with her, DO IT!!!!"

haley & sean

"Payton was so accommodating to our vision and captured exactly what we were looking for. Her efficiency and expertise made us feel comfortable in front of the camera and gave us memories we will always hold close to our heart. Highly, highly recommend."

mallory & Lance

"Payton did my wedding photos and I was completely in love. She was so professional, sweet, and really has a perfect eye for detail. My wedding ceremony was near sunset, and the lowlight work that she did was amazing. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for great pictures for any occasion"

Love Notes

DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS,
PHOTOGRAPHING LOVERS WORLDWIDE

Nice to have you!

Y'ALL MEANS ALL