Lake Tahoe & California
Destination Wedding Photographer
Indulge in detailed, emotion provoking, and Authentic wedding packages, delivering simple moments in life all the way to full blown wedding weekends. Let's capture it ALL!
Documentary, Natural Light, & Outdoor Storytelling Wedding Photographer based out of Central Valley, CA.
I capture authentic, unposed moments for couples who love craft beer, dogs, outdoorsy vibes, and the beauty of mountains, oceans, and lake days.
If your perfect wedding day includes a scenic view, all your favorite people, or even just soaking in the magic of summertime, we’re probably a perfect match. I focus on the little details—plants, handwritten vows, and the music that makes your day feel like you. All details that tell the story of YOU.
I’m here to make your experience effortless, fun, and as unforgettable as the memories we’ll capture together. Whether it’s a mountaintop National Park Elopement, a cozy wooded Northern California celebration, or an intimate Lake Tahoe beach ceremony, let’s create something beautiful together.
Let’s connect and start your next chapter of this journey!
I'm Mckenna...
Hi Loves,
I'm here to Make documentary &
romantic wedding lifestyles A Thing!
- McKenna Payne Photo
When serving clients my goal is to leave you feeling like family. Connecting on deeper levels means our time together is more than just snapping my camera or posing you for a social media grid.
you prioritize visiting mountain or coastal towns, and incorporate details into your daily lives
you value experiences like farm to table foods and a good local craft beer selection
pets are considered family, you include them in 90% of your lives and travel plans
you value premium quality things with a more laid back approach
you tend to care less about what others think or say about you
Music and lyrics speak to your soul as well as tell a story in a part of your life
your heart begs for Lake days, barbeques, wine tastings, and shared outdoor activities with friends
summertime and sunshine are whole heartedly the best medicine
We'll connect
& Vibe if..
Nailed it, let's do this!
learn more here
Destination Bucket list & travel Schedule
If you know anything about me by now, it's that I am drawn to places filled with possibilities. My passion for travel is undeniable, and I feel an internal urge to explore new destinations. Traveling invigorates me and allows me to feel truly alive. There is nothing quite like venturing into unknown territories and having my clients guide me through their hometowns—the places where they fell in love or experienced life-changing moments. This is a time to seek all forms of adventure and to document them in a manner that honors your experiences, from fleeting moments to creative endeavors, all within remarkable settings. Whether it's uncovering local legends, exploring national parks, or visiting tropical destinations abroad, the world is our bucket list.
I have linked my travel dates for 2025. While my availability is limited, the locations are virtually endless. I will keep this list updated to reflect any changes. I still have some flexibility for elopements, micro-weddings, large weddings, and adventure sessions, so please feel free to reach out if you are interested in working with me outside of california, lake tahoe or nevada..
Claire + Reid
McKenna was a blast to work with, she is so great at getting fun shots and making you feel comfortable in front of the camera. She did our engagements and wedding and WOW. She was so great to have at my wedding, she was excited to get all the fun shots and is seriously the best hype girl ever! She made me feel so beautiful and brought the energy I needed for the day. She also wrangles family and organizes your day (my hair dresser is still talking about what a great photographer she is and how she is the only wedding photographer that got all the vendors together in communication). I cannot say enough about how fabulous McKenna is. BOOK HER! Do it now!
Testimonials
Brie + Ricky
MCKENNA IS AMAZING! FROM THE SECOND THIS GAL WALKED INTO OUR LIVES, SHE HAS BEEN A BLESSING EVER SINCE. FROM OUR COUPLES PICTURES, ENGAGEMENT PICTURES, TO OUR DREAM WEDDING, SHE HAS BEEN ABLE TO CAPTURE ALL OF OUR BIG LIFE EVENTS. MCKENNA HAS BECOME A PART OF OUR FAMILY. SHE WAS ABLE TO CAPTURE ALL THE AMAZING MOMENTS AT OUR WEDDING THAT WE WERE NOT ABLE TO SEE. LOOKING BACK AT OUR PICTURES, ALL THE CANDID'S, DANCING, AND BEHIND THE SCENES AS GIVEN US SO MUCH HAPPINESS TO HAVE FOREVER. PICK HER, CHOOSE HER, TRUST HER AND YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. BIGGEST THANK YOU TO YOU MCKENNA.
Testimonials
Emma + Murphy
THE ONLY DOWNSIDE TO MCKENNA IS THAT WE WILL UNFORTUNATELY MOVED AWAY FROM HER AND WILL LITERALLY NEVER HAVE A PHOTOGRAPHER LIKE HER AGAIN.
MY HUSBAND AND I LOVE MCKENNA AND ALL THE PHOTOS SHE TAKES, EVERY SINGLE TIME. NOT ONLY IS SHE THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC, SUPPORTIVE, LOVELY HUMAN IN THE WORLD, SHE’S FLEXIBLE WITH HER WORK SCHEDULE, HELPFUL IN ALL AREAS OF GETTING YOUR IDEAL PHOTOSHOOT, AND QUICK TO GET YOUR FINAL PHOTOS. WE FIRST USED MCKENNA FOR OUR WEDDING AND IT WAS AMAZING IN EVERY IDEAL WAY. WE LOVED HER SO MUCH THAT SHE’S THE FIRST PERSON WE CALLED WHEN WE FOUND OUT WE WERE PREGNANT AND WANTED ANNOUNCEMENT PHOTOS! MCKENNA IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR FAMILY AFTER BEING IN OUR MOST FAVORITE MEMORIES, AND OF COURSE CAPTURING THEM. WE LOVE HER WITH ALL OF OUR HEART AND DEARLY WISH SHE COULD CAPTURE ALL OF OUR LIFE MILESTONES FOREVER.
Testimonials
Victoria + Keith
TO SAY WE ARE BLOWN AWAY IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT! WE HAD MCKENNA COME ALONG ON OUR MINI-MOON TO ZION NATIONAL PARK AND HAD SUCH AN AMAZING TIME. NOT ONLY WAS SHE INCREDIBLY PROFESSIONAL, BUT SHE ALSO WAS INCREDIBLY PERSONABLE!
FROM SCHEDULING TO HELPING US PLAN THE BEST TRIP EVER! WE FELT LIKE WE WERE ON AN ADVENTURE TRIP WITH A LIFE-LONG FRIEND! NOT ONLY WAS THE ENTIRE PROCESS SEAMLESS AND EASY, BUT WE TRULY HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME. WHEN WE GOT OUR PHOTOS BACK WE SHED A TEAR! SHE CAPTURED ZION'S GRACE AS WE AS OUR LOVE BEAUTIFULLY! WE ARE OBSESSED WITH THE GORGEOUS PHOTOS AND TIMELESS EDITING AND CANNOT WAIT TO PRINT THESE PHOTOS AND DISPLAY THEM ALL OVER OUR HOUSE. THE ONLY ISSUE BEING, WE CANNOT CHOOSE WHICH TO PRINT SINCE WE LOVE THEM ALL!
Testimonials
Calleigh + Tyler
"MCKENNA WAS A DREAM COME TRUE TO WORK WITH! SHE WAS INCREDIBLY KIND AND PATIENT WHILE WE WERE PLANNING MY VISION TOGETHER. ON SITE - SHE WAS FABULOUS WITH MY PARENTS AND REALLY WORKED TO ENSURE EVERYONE INVOLVED WAS COMFORTABLE. WE HAD SUCH A BLAST WITH HER AND ABSOLUTELY LOVE HER PHOTOS. MCKENNA WAS RESPONSIVE BEFORE AND AFTER AND I COULD NOT HAVE FOUND A BETTER PHOTOGRAPHER TO CAPTURE MY SPECIAL DAY."
Testimonials
Alyssa + Dillon
WHERE DO I EVEN START?! MCKENNA MADE OUR DAY A BREEZE (EVEN THOUGH WE HAD A WILD BUNCH OF FOLKS). I LEGIT COULD NOT HAVE IMAGINED A BETTER PHOTOGRAPHER AND HYPE WOMAN FOR MY SPECIAL DAY. MCKENNA WILL NOT ONLY JUST BE MY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER BUT A FRIEND FOR LIFE. IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BOOK SOMEONE YOU CAN USE FOREVER AND EVER EVEN AFTER YOUR WEDDING DAY, LOOK NO FURTHER! SHE IS SO PROFESSIONAL AND OUR PHOTOS TURNED OUT TO BE PICTURE PERFECT. SHE REALLY HAS ME RELIVING OUR DAY BY LOOKING THROUGH ALL OUR PHOTOS. SHE WAS EXTREMELY ORGANIZED, DETAILED AND THOUGHTFUL DURING OUR WHOLE EXPERIENCE. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR YOUR ADVENTURE/WESTERN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, MCKENNA IS YOUR GAL!!
Testimonials
MCKENNA WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TO WORK WITH! WE DID A FUN LITTLE ROOF TOP GARAGE SHOOT DURING A WINTER STORM, AND ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THAT THE WHOLE THING WAS SUCH A VIBE. IT WAS MY BOYFRIEND AND MY FIRST COUPLES SHOOT TOGETHER, AND IT WAS EVERYTHING WE COULD HAVE IMAGINED AND MORE. HE EVEN SAID THAT HE HAD A TON OF FUN, HAHA! WE WILL DEFINITELY BE RECOMMENDING MCKENNA TO OUR FRIENDS FOR ALL THEIR PHOTOGRAPHY NEEDS:)
Testimonials
Brooke + Nikki
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