We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stephie Paradis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Stephie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

There’s a real sweetness to feeling like I started this exactly when I was supposed to. Much like the name “Road to Paradis-e” suggests, this has been a long road of self-discovery and learning to trust myself. The evolution of who I am and what Road to Paradis-e has become could not have happened any sooner or any later. In my experience, the best things arrive when you release and detach from the outcome. For years I had tried to push or force Road to Paradis-e to be something that it just was not ready to be (a personal blog, a community blog, a podcast, a newsletter, etc.) And over the course of nearly 10 years it has morphed and shifted many times, until finally, almost on its own fruition, guided me towards what it is today – storytelling and photography.

It all came together at the right time.

Stephie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Stephie Paradis. Born and raised in Maine. The middle daughter in a blended family. Over the last decade I have built a career in the insurance industry, which has allowed me to explore creative ventures on the side. In 2023, after experiencing family estrangement and grieving the ending of a relationship, I started really pouring myself into creative outlets. Photography being one. Initially, I started offering friends and family free sessions for their holiday cards or headshots for their LinkedIn profiles. Since then, it has evolved (and continues to evolve) to include branding partnerships, capturing events and retreats, and offering your every day portraits.

At the core of Road To Paradis-e is my own personal journey and self-discovery. I believe this is what sets me apart from other photographers. I am most interested in capturing a subject authentically and honestly. Additionally, it’s in my nature to care about their story and their experience. Photographing someone can be one of the most intimate and exposing feelings – I always want people to leave feeling safe, seen and loved.

I am proud of the care that I give to those in front of my lens.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Genuinely, some of my first clients were candids that I took of people while out “in the wild”. I’d go to scenic sunset viewing spots and offer free photos, and hand out business cards. Those moments and conversations with people allowed me to build some really cool connections. Those interactions turned into referrals via word-of-mouth.

I also joined small business networking groups, which allowed for more visibility and for people to meet and resonate with who I am and what I am trying to build.

And lastly, having a social media presence has also been incredibly beneficial to make connections with new clients.

I highly recommend as a new business owner/creative to prioritize in-person networking – even when it’s incredibly uncomfortable!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

In general, the most rewarding moment is the reaction from the client when they see their gallery for the first time.

So much of how we view ourselves is shaped by our internal dialogue and (often poor) self-image, and to see beautiful photos that truly capture who someone is – it’s as if I am able to hold up a more honest mirror for them to finally see the beauty that the wold already sees.

On a more personal level, the most rewarding part is simple: there’s nothing more affirming in life than doing the thing that your heart and soul feel called to, and having it resonate with other people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.roadtoparadis-e.com
• Instagram: @roadtoparadis.e
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@roadtoparadis.e

Image Credits

All photo credits are to @RoadtoParadis.e / Stephie Paradis