Daily Inspiration: Meet Paige Hardy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Hardy.

Hi Paige, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey as a photographer started in High school as a hobby. I began taking photos of nature and brought my camera where ever I went. When I moved to Raleigh, NC it became a focus and goal of mine to follow this passion and make it into a career. This led me to begin asking people I knew if I could take their photo to learn more about Portrait Photography. Shortly after moving to Raleigh, I found myself a job as a Downtown Raleigh Night Life Photographer. I was photographing at Bars, Events, Shows and I was able to meet so many wonderful people! Through this networking I found myself some clients. After those experiences I became obsessed with making people smile, learning their stories and travel while doing so. Through networking and pushing myself, my company started to take off. I feel as free and creative as I could have only imagined and there is still more work to do!

Alright, 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?
The road to following your dreams will never be a smooth one. In order for us as individuals to grow, we must fail and learn. Life is a learning process; you must bear the hardships and keep going if your dream is worth pursuing to you! At the beginning of my journey, the hardest part was finding clients with little photography experience. Becoming a Freelance Photographer has not been an easy feat. I began having to take a lot of free photos to grow my camera and editing skills. After about a year of networking, going to meet ups and really studying YouTube I felt comfortable enough to begin charging people for my photography. While I was not making very much at first, I made it a goal to surpass my Gross for the next year along with my editing skills. I pushed myself every week to learn something new and sooner than later I noticed that people started noticing my growth. Once people see you stay consistent with something and put your passion into it, they will happily help you along your journey and that is the biggest thing I have been grateful for. Another hardship I am still facing with being a Freelance Photographer is standing out amongst all the other amazing creators. It is easy to get down on yourself, but I didn’t let the competition phase me. I tunnel focused on the inspiration from all of them and continue to get out of my box to create new and better photos than my past work.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I enjoy Portraits and fashion/branding photography the most because of the creative expression allowed. When it comes to taking Portraits and Family photos, I get to appreciate love, family, and the stories of the individuals behind my photos. In general, I enjoy helping others and watching them grow. I have had the opportunities to take photographs for small business and creators to help them show their brands to the world, while creating a community of creatives. One skill I have added to my tool box in the last 2 years has been graphic art. With my graphic art I have manipulated photographs I have taken of others and myself to create the Infinite Vizionz that pass through my mind during the day. This has allowed me to create eye catching marketing and branding materials, but most importantly making my clients day dreams come to life. I don’t like to subject myself to one category as a creator because that’s exactly what I do. I simply enjoy to create art and spread positivity in this crazy world we live in.

How do you think about happiness?
Happiness to me is being omnipresent. Being in the moment is the only place we truly live as individuals. When I create with either medium, I am able to do exactly that. I become completely in the moment and let the beauty of life inspire me and my art. This shows me parts of the people I am photographing many others do not get to see. I create not only for myself but for the others who get to share these experiences with me in hopes to spread inspiration and positivity.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: paigehardyphotography.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/paigehardy_photography
• Facebook: facebook.com/paigehardyphotography
• Other: instagram.com/Infinite_Vizionz