Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Paige Gullickson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Paige, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

When I reflect on what my mom did right, I realize how profoundly her little every day actions shaped my life and career. My path to being a fulltime photographer began when I was six years old. My mom, a single parent to my sister, Chloe and I, bought me my first film camera at Costco because I loved photography. (I cannot remember a time in my life where I wanted a different career.)

She took me to a local park to take photos of flowers, logs, trees and tons of random things- capturing the beauty of nature through my young eyes (you know, the really close up photography that kids always think is the coolest thing in the world ;) ). My mom had a unique ability to see beauty in all of nature and also the mundane (she used to make up poems while driving Chloe and I to school, daily). As a kid, I thought it was obnoxious, but as an adult I find it absolutely magical.

My mom was a high school teacher and shared an office with the photography teacher. When my mom realized how serious I was about photography, she arranged for her coworker to teach me how to develop film and print photos in the school’s photo lab. I was beyond fascinated by the process, watching as images slowly appeared on the paper, like magic. This hands-on experience was invaluable and deepened my love for photography. I still remember how it looked, felt and smelled in the darkroom like it was yesterday (not 30 years ago :) ).

Honestly, as I grew into my early teen years, I fell away from the artistic side of my life and my mom, and we didn’t get along very well. But, when I was 18 my mom and I went through some big life events together and got closer again, we ended up taking photos together several times again. She encouraged me to work for my mentor, Alison Clinton, and I fell fully back in love with photography. I moved to Spokane, WA to go to college for photography… but only did it on the side because taking the leap without guaranteed income is very scary!

Three years ago, my mom passed away suddenly at 57 years old. Her death was a huge turning point for me- I realized that life was too short to spend it doing something I didn’t love. I had been working in the corporate world, running my photography business on the side, but I knew I had to make a change. I didn’t want to die working in a job that didn’t make me happy.

So, I took the leap. I left my fulltime job and dedicated myself fully to my photography business. It was very scary, but my husband, John was very supportive and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My mom’s belief in me, her example of a hard working woman and her efforts to nurture my passion gave me the courage to follow my dreams.

Today, I am a successful photographer, and I owe so much of it to my mom. Her love, support, and the values she instilled in me have been the guiding light in my life and career. She taught me to see the world through a lens of beauty and to always strive for what makes me truly happy.

Paige, 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?

As a photographer, I love that I get the opportunity to take photos at all stages of people’s lives. Each stage of photography brings its own unique joys and challenges. I photograph small business owners. couples getting engaged, married, when they buy their first home, photos at the hospital when their little(s) join their family, in home newborn photos, family photos, birthday parties, senior photos, college graduation photos and lots in between. I tell people I do everything except real estate and boudoir.

I am very proud that I have photographed a number of clients at several stages in their lives and that my business has grown from mostly word of mouth. Everyone’s life is different, every family looks different, and I love that I get to be a part of such important moments in people’s lives. When I was a kid I wanted to make an impact on the world. This is how I do it. I document memories that people will sit down with their grandchildren and look through, moments that will be framed on their walls until there are outlines of the frames.

I really want people to know that what’s important to them is important to me- tell me what you’re looking for, your ideas, the vibe, the inspo, a crazy idea you had that you don’t think anyone would be up for or something random you want captured on your wedding day, basically anything that would help make sure you love your photos, even just a little bit more…

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Treating customers with respect and integrity. I have always worked in customer service roles; providing the best customer service has always been my biggest priority. Am I perfect at that all the time? No. But, I would rather bend a little and have a customer for life than nickel and dime someone and never see them again (it’s a thin line to not allow myself be taken advantage of, but I’ve gotten better at holding that line in recent years). Most people I work with, come back every time they want photos, and I LOVE that.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Anything and everything Henry Tieu has done has been huge. He is incredibly talented and every time he is on a podcast or has a course that I am able to make happen, I do. I love how he treats people and how he shows up genuinely. He has been a huge inspiration to me.

I also enjoy looking through old photography books that my mom had. The internet can be a very saturated place, and there is something about studying pre-internet art, that makes me feel more connected to art, but also to my mom.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also recognize my close friend, Rene. She constant listens to my weird ideas, helps guide my ADHD brain back on track and has been an incredible personal and business resource when I am lost on how to handle a situation. She’s insanely intelligent and gives the best advice, I wouldn’t be where I am without her. Having a solid support system has been very important while running my small business, it can feel very isolating at times. Shoutout to my co-working and bouncing ideas off buddies- Rene, Taylor (Rene’s business partner at Featured Media), Brooke Duclos Photography, and Mack Lloyd Photography!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paigeo.com
• Instagram: @paigeopnw
• Facebook: @paigeopnw