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Let's start by saying I'm over joyed you're here. The most important thing to remember is fairytales do exist and the excitement to help bring yours to life is unreal! So kick off your boots and stay awhile! During our time together my goal is for you to experience heart felt love, belly aching laughter, steaming romance and pure excitement over and over again. I want to continue to bring on the adventures and the really showcase the romance in your love story. During each experience you should be able to let loose, love harder, and just be intentional during this growing season of life. To me and I'm sure for you as well this is more than just a day; it's a lifetime of love, happiness, and real emotions that you share with your forever best friend, family and friends. Bring on the tissues, cause it's about to get emotional up in here! Are you ready to plan your epic adventure and more??

I'm here to Make rustic & 

Hi Lovlies, 

Raw wedding lifestyles A Thing!

next steps?

book now

NEVADA NATIVE WITH big CALIFORNIA DREAMS

Northern Nv + Ca Traveling Wedding Photographer

fully crafted wedding day packages to never let those little moments slip by on your special day.

For starters, I'm pumped you even got this far. Most give up, so your investment in your story means a great deal to me. Thank you! NOW, for the goods - most would call this a cliche but I truly just your average woman who is constantly re-watching Yellowstone + Grey's Anatomy for the 20th time this year. I've got my hair in a bun, cozy sweatpants, my boyfriends beer logo hoodie washed and ready. I'm typically swing dancing in the kitchen to 'Morgan Wallen' or cookin' up some bomb ass pizza on the Traeger with my man. I'm originally from the Biggest Little City (reno) in Nevada, but I dream of owning a Horse Ranch Wedding Venue somewhere in the South - with a big open white and black barn and room for all my animals! DUH! You know the ones we all see on pinterest.... GOALS! But my new home in Nevada is everything I could have dreamt up and more. It's the perfect starter home, for Forrest (my main squeeze), Merlot & I.

Y'all, If I am being transparent enough - I'm here to be your forever best friend, story teller, dress holder, mimosa sipper, line dance partner, friend/family wrangler, cornhole champion and life-time hype woman. I'd like to say I'm a little bit Miranda Lambert mixed with a whole lot of Shania Twain. (did we just become best friends?) No really, let's hang out and not just share a business transaction. So dive on in, learn more about the girl behind the camera and all the things I love most...oh and you may learn a surprise or seven........ 

Learn more!

Hi There,

I'm Mckenna...

- 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.



You care more about the western way of life more than most things.

Everything tastes better with a tad bit more spice.

 every wedding dress bottom should be dirty from all your adventures.

you consider yourselves an extroverted - introvert.

fighting for what you want is more important than others opinions.

traveling the world with your best friend is on your ultimate BUCKET LIST.

growth only happens by breaking the mold and being a little different.

you believe in all walks of life and accepting of all humans for their beauty.

We'll connect & Vibe if.....

Nailed it, let's do this!

Adventure + love Awaits

Pricing + Your forever investment

Peek Inside

Peek Inside

Peek Inside

ADVENTUROUS couples

Weddings + Elopements

Maternity + Lifestyle

show me dates!

Travel Schedule

This past year I have really focused on expanding my services across country. I absolutely love to travel and to be honest with you, there is something inside that is constantly picking at my travel bone wanting me to experience more. Traveling truly makes me feel, well.....ALIVE! Nothing beats traveling to an unknown space and allowing your clients to show you around their hometowns, where they fell in love, or had a life altering experience. This is a time to seek all adventures and document them the way you deserve! All from little moments, to creative pieces and all those in between in an epic location!

Linked here are my travel dates for 2022 and my books are still open,  so the locations are endless! I'll update this list when things change so it can stay as up to date as possible. I still have some flexibility for elopements, micro weddings, big weddings, and adventure sessions-- so reach out if you are wanting to work with me.

If no locations are listed for a specific date, I'll be at home and shooting locally in the Reno/Tahoe area

Emma + Murphy 2021

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

Morgan + Mike 2021

"From the first email through our little wedding at Emerald Bay to the final gallery delivery, McKenna was a dream! She worked with our unique situation, drove out of her way to our destination, and instantly made us feel like we were uniting with an old friend while photographing us. Such fun, bubbly energy, and an exceptionally talented photographer! 
I wish she was on the east coast, so we could use her for every family event! We will definitely be calling her every time we visit Tahoe for anniversary/family photos. I can't recommend McKenna Payne Photography enough."

Testimonials

Kelly + Eric 2021

"I couldn’t be happier with McKenna as our photographer. She has a natural talent and contagious positive energy. Her attention to detail is unmatched. She asks thoughtful questions to get to know her couples so that she can personalize each shoot and her passion for her work really shines through. The engagement photos came out so beautiful and way beyond my expectations! We are both so relieved we found her and it’s such a nice piece of mind going into the wedding."

Testimonials

Christina + Greg 2021

McKenna was such a delight! We had last minute change of plans with our engagement shoot, I found her on IG and she was so responsive and jumped on helping us right away! McKenna has an incredible energy, makes you feel comfortable in front of the camera, and has a great eye for photos. We met at sunrise at Emerald Bay and she was kind enough to bring us hot coffee and hand warmers to keep us warm :D She sent a sneak peak immediately after the shoot and we love how the photos turned out!

Testimonials

Shyan + Shane 2021

"I’d been following McKenna on social media for a few years, and when I decided to take maternity pictures I knew she was the one! Everything was so detailed leading up to our photoshoot day, and she was so authentic and fun. She knew the perfect time of day for good lighting at our location & we couldn’t be happier with the pictures! Even the hubby had a good time which says a lot! Highly recommend!"

Testimonials

Caylee + Dustin 2021

McKenna is AMAZING! She truly knows how to capture any and every special moment in your life. She did our wedding and engagement photos and she delivered. She made it fun and eventful. Never made us feel rushed. Knew exactly what I wanted the entire time. She made us feel so comfortable and can’t wait for the future photos she’ll be taking!

Testimonials

Brie + Ricky 2021

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