Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Potter
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?
I never imagined that becoming a Scuba Instructor would lead me to owning a photography business specializing in fantasy and horror portraiture, along with a paranormal YouTube channel. My passions have intertwined in unexpected ways, creating a ripple effect that has shaped my journey. I tend to dive deep into what I love—like the ocean—and pursue it with relentless focus, pushing myself to master each new interest before moving to the next. Along the way, I take the skills I’ve gained from previous ventures and channel them into new, creative paths. Each step builds on the last, transforming my passion into something larger than I ever envisioned.
Naturally, scuba diving led me to photography and videography, as I wanted to capture the underwater world to share with friends and family. This passion grew, leading me to a two-year photography program specializing in portrait and commercial work. I quickly found that retouching was where I excelled, my style taking on a more fantasy-driven approach compared to my peers. When I discovered fantasy and horror portraiture, everything fell into place—I had found the niche where I could truly thrive. Shortly after I graduated, my photography business, Paige Potter Photography, was born.
Photography and videography often go hand in hand, so naturally, I had to take a videography course. I was now filming and editing on a deeper level, which led me to create creepy short films for class. Using my knowledge of studio lighting, I crafted eerie atmospheres that brought the horror to life. Storyboarding concepts and turning them into reality became something I was passionate about, often spending countless late-night hours perfecting even a minute-and-a-half video. When I’m passionate about something, I throw myself into it fully, pushing every detail to its limit.
This is where things take a strange turn. I’ve always believed in the paranormal—it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I had countless experiences, and unlike many, I was never told it was “just in my head.” My entire family believes in ghosts, so the supernatural was never dismissed. Being raised on horror movies, I’ve always had a fascination with the darker side of life. Let’s be honest—if you’re a horror fan, chances are you’re drawn to the paranormal, too.
Growing up, I was obsessed with paranormal shows like Creepy Canada, Paranormal State, and Ghostly Encounters. I loved hearing firsthand experiences and uncovering the history behind haunted places. Never once did I think I’d actually be doing what those people on TV did—talking to ghosts. Yes, I’d had my own paranormal experiences, but making a career out of it was never on my radar.
Then, everything began to spiral naturally. During college, I found myself watching a lot of paranormal content on YouTube, and I started thinking, “I kind of want to try this and see if I can get proof myself.” I did some research, bought my first piece of equipment—a spirit box—and for five years, I ghost hunted as a hobby with family members, rarely filming, just enjoying the experiences.
As the years went by, we accumulated so much equipment and evidence, I finally thought, “Why aren’t we filming this?” With my newfound film knowledge, I suggested to my cousin Terra, who was part of the ghost hunting adventures, that we start a YouTube channel to share our findings with like-minded people. After a year of discussions, ParanormalXP was officially born, bringing together a dedicated team of five members: Terra, Ronda, John, Sheri, and myself.
By March 2025, it will be three years since we began uploading our investigations to YouTube. During this time, we’ve built an incredible global community of supporters. The best part? We’re traveling across North America, ghost hunting as a family, and collaborating with other paranormal teams, all while doing what we love.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing I’ve done has ever been a smooth journey. I have this inside joke with myself: it’s like I have to battle through hell and dodge flaming obstacles just to achieve anything! Seriously, each path I’ve taken feels like an obstacle course, complete with mental gymnastics and physical hurdles. At this point, I’ve come to expect that I’ll have to go through the wringer before I see any results. But that’s the funny thing about success—it’s not a straight line. It’s more like a roller coaster, complete with thrilling ups and gut-wrenching downs. Those twists and turns are what teach you and help you grow creatively and personally.
When I started scuba diving, I struggled physically at first because, believe it or not, it’s a demanding sport—especially when you’re training to become a scuba instructor. The gear is ridiculously heavy, you have to contend with strong currents, and on some days, you might even need to rescue another diver! I quickly realized this wasn’t going to be easy, despite all the classes I took and text books I read, I knew I had to push myself to get into better shape to succeed. I also found myself spending hours in bed, diving into physics, reviewing various rescue scenarios, and memorizing the poisonous and potentially dangerous marine life. There was so much to absorb, and it wasn’t easy; it certainly didn’t come naturally. The only aspect of diving that felt instinctive to me was the swimming itself.
When it came to photography, I actually learned how to use a DSLR while submerged in full scuba gear. Normally, you’d expect to master a camera on land before braving the depths of the ocean, where a single misstep could lead to disaster. But not me—I had to do it the hard way!
In college, my biggest struggle was battling my perfectionism. I would beat myself up if I didn’t produce the perfect image, and if I didn’t score at least a 90 on an assignment, I’d be upset for days. I worked myself to the bone during editing, to the point where my wrist locked up for months in my second year. It was then that I realized I needed to take a step back and pace myself, or I risked causing even more damage.
YouTube was the turning point that made me realize pursuing anything creative would be a lot harder than I anticipated. I eventually found my flow with photography, but now I was embarking on a whole new journey—film. I had only a basic understanding of film, so this entire YouTube venture with ParanormalXP has turned into an exhilarating learning journey. In the beginning, I struggled with being on camera because I was so used to being behind it. This new challenge pushed me out of my comfort zone. While I still set up every shot, I now had to step into the frame and connect with the audience. I found myself nitpicking our early videos, but that obsessive drive helped me hone my vision for future content, igniting a fire in me to present our stories in the most captivating way possible.
I haven’t mastered video or content creation, and honestly, I don’t think I ever will because there’s always room to improve and more to learn. Between juggling the complexities of social media and trying to decipher the elusive YouTube algorithm, it’s been a constant struggle. But this challenge has also pushed me to experiment and try new things, fueling my growth as a creator and inspiring me to embrace the journey, imperfections and all.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional portrait photographer specializing in fantasy and horror portraiture, as well as a content creator for my YouTube channel, ParanormalXP.
My slogan is “Artist for the strange and unusual, mystical and ethereal,” which perfectly encapsulates the type of art I create in portraiture. I love infusing vibrant colours into darker concepts, drawing inspiration from both my passion for nature and my fascination with horror. By blending fantastical and darker elements, I aim to create work that is instantly recognizable as a portrait from Paige Potter Photography.
At ParanormalXP, I serve as one of the lead investigators, the sole photographer for the team, and the main cinematographer, handling all aspects of editing as well.
Our videos at ParanormalXP are known for their vibrant colours, even when exploring dark, haunted places. I love lighting each shot creatively to ensure every frame is visually captivating. Many paranormal channels overlook this aspect, but I refuse to be just another investigator who picks up a camera and goes. I cherish the creative process too much to not experiment with different lighting schemes and colours. The unique architecture of these locations provides endless opportunities to enhance the visuals as well.
My approach to our channel’s branding is equally vibrant. Our thumbnails are inspired by spooky cartoons, which sets us apart from the sea of other paranormal channels that typically use dark two tone colour schemes. I wanted our channel to stand out so much that you can’t miss our videos while scrolling—they’re simply too bright! Even if viewers choose not to watch, I’m confident our thumbnails catch their eye.
While I’m not sure there’s a specific achievement I can point to as my greatest source of pride in my creative endeavors, I often find myself reflecting on moments where I think, “Wow, I really did that.” This feeling shifts constantly, with each project bringing a new sense of accomplishment. If I had to choose, I would say I’m most proud of myself—proud for pushing through, no matter what life throws at me.
What’s next?
I have numerous plans for the future concerning my creative projects. In photography, I aspire to own my own portrait studio where I can design unique sets and offer rental space to other creatives.
The goals for ParanormalXP are simple: to continuously enhance the quality of our videos, adopt a more cinematic approach, and step away from typical YouTube conventions. While we all have to start somewhere, the more I learn, the more I want to innovate. Our channel is already in a constant state of evolution, and I can’t wait to see where this journey will lead us in the future.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/paigepotter.photography
- Twitter: https://x.com/ParanormalXP_YT
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParanormalXP
- Other: https://instagram.com/paranormal.xp
Image Credits
Paige Potter