Today we’d like to introduce you to Peyton Maxey.
Peyton, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I always knew I wanted to be a creative, I just didn’t know what I wanted to do. Early in high school, I took a film class and I fell in love! It felt so right and I immediately wanted to join the film industry. I thought my way in would be to become a photographer, so I got a little point and shoot camera for Christmas that year and started taking photos for fun and to meet people to become an on-set photographer. I even shot my first wedding that year at 15 years old! But that didn’t last long. After doing my first job as an unpaid on-set photographer, I found my new favorite set job, then another, then another! I wanted to do everything! I was even offered a job as an intern for one of Netherworld’s special effects makeup artist when I decided I wanted to be a set PA.
At 16 years old, I started networking and working on independent film projects as a PA/2nd AD. When I tell you, I loved it, oh I LOVED it! I worked 16 hours a day, five days a week on any project that would have me and I learned so much! The first big project that I got to work on was Baby Driver and my first day was four days after my 18th birthday. I was floating on air knowing that all the hours and time spent finally paid off! I guess this is where my perseverance comes from because my senior SEMESTER in high school I had 36 absences from working on the movie!! I shouldn’t have graduated but my teachers were so supportive of my journey that they allowed a few misses here and there. Soon after graduation, I got my first full-time job on Spider-man Homecoming and worked for two more years as a full time set PA.
This past winter, I started to get tired of the same ole’ set life and I knew I need a change. All of my friends were off at college joining sororities and traveling the world while I was stuck on set. I started traveling as much as I could but it still wasn’t enough for me. I vowed to do one more show and get out of the industry and I did. I started Peyton Mariah Photography in the spring and the rest is history. I have never been happier or so in love with my job! Every single couple I meet and every single adventure, I take just reminds me of how breathtaking life can be and that there is no time for “what if’s”
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It defiantly has been no walk in the park. There are so many hats you wear as a photographer; One minute, I’m just a girl taking photos, then I am my own marketing consultant and a social media expert! I am still learning about it all and taking some online courses in my free time.
Peyton Mariah Photo – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Peyton Mariah Photo is all about capturing wild and fearless love! I specialize in couples, weddings, and elopement photography for those who aren’t afraid to get a little mud on their boots. I vow to tell the story of every couple who steps in front of my lens. I have a HUGE wanderlust in me and a big passion for those in love so I am lucky enough to have combined the two into a way to celebrate YOU. I do not pose anybody, so every single photo I take is 110% the real authentic couple who stepped in front of my lens and I think that is the most surreal part about my business.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I think the proudest moment I have had so far is every time I book a wedding. It is such an amazing feeling when someone puts faith in YOU to capture one of the best days of their entire life! Nothing can come close to that.
Pricing:
- Adventure Sessions start at $300
- Half Day Weddings (5 hours) start at $1,150
- Full Day Weddings start at $1,500
Contact Info:
- Website: www.peytonmariahphoto.com
- Email: peytonmariahphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/peymariahphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peytonmariahphoto
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