Love in Frame: April M. Payne Photography

April M. Payne is not just a photographer - she is an artist, a storyteller, and a curator of memories. Her work transcends the conventional boundaries of photography, elevating each captured moment into a cinematic masterpiece that invites the viewer to become fully immersed in the narrative.

A Lens on Life

"I've always been creative but photography started taking center stage of my creative outlets after my children were born," April shares. "I'm always seeking to capture the moment, how it felt and how it looked, telling my couple's really incredible story through images. Fashion and art are huge influences into my work, as I'm always striving for that thin line between timeless masterpiece and fashion-forward."

April describes her style as "artistic photojournalism." She elaborates, "I love to capture the in-between moments where everyone is truly being themselves because that is what you'll want to remember 50 years from now. I am always thinking of my clients future families as I shoot because these are the historical markers that will stand the test of time. So I'm always trying to capture the realest moments, but in a beautiful, artistic way. I want the photos to feel the same as it did to be in the room at the time, where you can almost smell and hear the party because the photos are so true."

Filmic and Timeless

Channeling the nostalgia of classic cinema, April’s post-production process ensures her images possess a timeless quality. "I always want my photos to look filmic as I think it preserves elegant nostalgia," Payne states, highlighting her approach to post-processing. With a keen eye for detail, she adds, " I am also always attempting to keep color as true as possible. A couple spends so much time picking out exact colors and textures to weave into their client experience, I want that to be represented well in the photographs for years to come."

For Payne, photography is an extension of her literary passion, a means to immortalize tales of love and celebration. When asked what she enjoys most about being a photographer, Payne responds with a storyteller's flair, "I love the storytelling aspect of being a photographer. I have a Master's in English Literature so I see this as an extension of my love of story. I get to tell the story of a beautiful time in a couple's life and their photos are keepsakes of those moments to build their life on."

Tailoring the Experience

With a deep respect for her clients' individual narratives, April Payne crafts personalized experiences that celebrate their unique love stories. "It's always about the client," Payne emphasizes her client-centric approach. "I know clients are hiring me for how I artistically see the world, but I always want the story to be about the clients. I think it's important that their dream photos are what they receive, so that starts with making sure we're a good stylistic fit and then listening well when they tell me what they want to feel and see when they look at their photos. Lots of communication and openness to what my clients want and need and filling in the gaps with professional know-how and artistic insight."

As for custom packages, she shares, “Every package I offer is a tailored package for each couple and their wedding festivities. This can range from hours of day of coverage to full weekends and additional shoots.” 

For those seeking to immortalize their most cherished moments, April M. Payne advises: “Hire a photographer that you trust. When you trust your photographer to take photos that you love because you love how they see the world, you will be so happy with your photos because you will be included in that artistic viewpoint. Trust really is the most important thing.;

Destination Weddings: Capturing Intimate Moments

For the wanderlust-struck couple, April’s passion for destination weddings promises to immortalize their love story against breathtaking backdrops. On these romantic adventures, she shares, "Yes, I love destination weddings. The atmosphere is so much fun. I love any destination where the couple and their people are in close proximity for the festivities, be that a villa in Puglia or manor house in The Lake District in England. The more intimate the party is, the more incredible the moments are to capture."