Payton Little graduated from Holland Hall in 2023 after starting here as a third grader. She’s now a junior marketing major at Oklahoma State in Stillwater and works for the OSU student newspaper, The O’Colly, shooting everything from sports to concerts to news events. Here’s a little bit about what she’s doing now and the impact Holland Hall had on her.

Explain how your passion for photography fits into your major?

‍“I love photography, videography, and design, and all that artsy stuff. I think marketing is a great tool for that. I just kind of want to see what opportunities come my way. I think that’s what college is about.”

How did you get into photography?‍

“I took a class at Holland Hall. (Photography teacher) Mazen Abufadil was my man. I miss him. He taught me a lot about the basics, and he taught me about getting out of my comfort zone. I’d always look forward to taking a picture and bringing it back to him because he would give me feedback. He’d give me hard feedback, not just say, ‘Oh, this is a good picture.’ He’d tell me what was wrong with it. He was so supportive. And, also, Chris McConnell in Communications. He was so supportive and welcoming and always willing to help.”

‍How did Holland Hall prepare you for college?

‍The (modular) schedule helped me a lot with time management. I’d say that’s No. 1. No. 2, I’d say the teachers always talking about “use your resources” and encouraging us to come talk to them. They really got me ready for college. I would say I wouldn’t be doing nearly as well here if I didn’t go to Holland Hall.”

Below, Payton explains why this is her favorite photo she’s taken.  Click here to see more of her work.

“I like this photo because it not only embodies the energy that Treaty Oak Revival brings to every single one of their live performances but also the energy of the Red Dirt music genre as a whole. It also embodies me as a photographer and the ‘in the moment’ captures I go for.”