Pictured Above: Peyton Lebron loves his tapestry of a photo he took of Mt. Zion. “When I was there I just felt so small and the world (felt) so big.”
Sophie Ojdanic | The Crow’s Nest
By Edyn Gottlieb
Since he was a child, Peyton Lebron has loved photography.
“My older sister had a camera so obviously I wanted one too,” Lebron joked.
In his dorm room hangs a tapestry featuring a picture of Mt. Zion, which he took himself.
“It’s one of my favorites,” Lebron explained. “I love the way it came out. Especially how the sun hits the right-side mountain just right, and that in the left corner is a wood roof of a small building, which I feel like kind of gives it a good perspective on how large the mountains really are.
“But I think I really love it because it was probably one of my favorite trips ever. When I was there I just felt so small and the world (felt) so big. Just truly in awe the whole time, plus I will always treasure the family memories I made.”
Lebron is now a 19-year-old sophomore at USF St. Petersburg.
Growing up in Zephyrhills, Florida, Lebron said USF St. Petersburg was always his top college choice and it didn’t disappoint.
Majoring in environmental science and policy with a concentration in sustainability, the environment and photography have always held an important place in Lebron’s life.
His affection for wildlife is made even more clear by his choice of pets. He has two yellow belly slider turtles named Big Bertha and Jerry, a Mississippi map turtle named Reggie and a tortoise named Shelldon.
“Peyton has always been dedicated to his hobbies and passions,” Lebron’s father, Eric Lebron, said. “His respect and admiration for nature has always been on the top of his priorities, from a very early age he was collecting pictures, books and animals, he has had approximately six different fish and turtle tanks, and several dogs.”
Lebron’s mother, Tara McNulty, elaborated on Peyton’s love for photography.
“When Peyton was a freshman in high school, he asked for a professional camera for a gift, as he thought he would give it a try,” McNulty said. “Right off the start, Peyton was hooked and started to carry his camera everywhere. Eventually, Peyton found that he very much enjoyed taking pictures of nature and animals more than anything else, so again, his passion continued for the outdoors.”
When it came time for Lebron to pick a college, USF St. Petersburg seemed like the perfect fit. The campus was “the perfect size; just the right amount of people, and it’s on the water,” Lebron said.
“Peyton being so close to the water at the campus has even more fortified his desire to learn more about aquatic life and habitat,” McNulty said. “Peyton has always loved aquatics through his care for countless fish, but he has grown in his fascination for marine life through the experiences he has gained at USF.
“Combining his photography and love of nature, this has proven to be the best environment to foster ideas for a future career. Even better, Peyton was so excited to see there was a photography club at the school where he could meet others with the same interest while cultivating his hobby.”
Lebron is the secretary of USF St. Petersburg’s Photography Club and the president of the Marine Adventures Club.
In the future, Lebron hopes to incorporate both his love for the environment and photography by either working in a lab or as an environmental photographer, possibly for National Geographic.
Lebron’s parents are supportive of his endeavors.
“Peyton continually spends his free time surrounded by the outdoors.” McNulty said. “Whether kayaking, photographing the nature preserve or learning about more aquatic life, which just reinforces his strong drive to make a career out of what he enjoys most.”
Sophie Ojdanic contributed to this report.
