Payton McKinney

About Me

Creative.
Driven.
Visual.

My name is Payton, and I'm a driven media professional with over five years of experience in video editing, videography, and content creation. I specialize in visual storytelling, combining creative direction, camera work, drone videography, and post-production to create engaging content from concept to completion. With experience across Adobe Creative Suite, I bring ideas to life through thoughtful storytelling, polished edits, and strategic content designed to connect with audiences and deliver results. I have a strong attention to detail and enjoy taking projects from the initial concept and storyboard through production and final delivery.

Videography Video Editing Photography Drone Color Grading Adobe Creative Suite Creative Direction Content Strategy
Work with me View my work →

5+

Years experience

3

ADDY Awards

20+

Brand projects

∞

Stories told

Tools & Software

After Effects

Motion graphics, VFX, and animation

Premiere Pro

Professional video editing & assembly

Photoshop

Photo editing & compositing

Lightroom

Photo editing & color management

Canva

Social graphics & branded content

DJI Drones

Aerial videography & photography

Sony / Canon

Cinema & mirrorless camera systems

Adobe Audition

Audio mixing & sound design

How I Work

From concept
to conversion.

I don't just create content that looks good — I create content that works. Every project is built around a clear strategy, a defined audience, and a goal. Pretty visuals are the baseline. What I'm after is the feeling that makes someone stop scrolling, watch twice, and reach out.

01

Concept & Strategy

Every project starts with a conversation about who you're talking to and what you want them to do. I dig into your brand, your audience, and your goals before a single frame is planned — because the best-looking video in the world doesn't matter if it's saying the wrong thing.

02

Storyboarding & Pre-Production

I map out every shot, scene, and story beat before we step on set. Shot lists, storyboards, location scouting, talent coordination — the groundwork that makes shoot day run clean and keeps the final product on brief, on time, and on budget.

03

Production & Capture

On set I handle camera, drone, and direction — capturing footage that's built to cut. I shoot with the edit in mind, which means less wasted time in post and more of the moments that actually move people. Cinematic quality without the bloated crew or budget.

04

Post-Production & Delivery

Edit, color grade, sound design, motion graphics — I handle the full post pipeline and deliver assets optimized for wherever they're going to live. Long-form brand films, 15-second ads, vertical Reels — each version is cut with its platform and audience in mind, not just resized.