Let's go!

I'm the gal behind the lens, and the founder of paige elizabeth photography. 

If I'm not working you can usually find me exploring new towns, eating sushi, or cuddling with my pup and cat. Explore my blog to learn more about me, my couples, and even learn a thing or two!

Hey, there! I'm Paige.

National Stress Awareness Month

 

April is “National Stress Awareness Month” and let me tell y’all, self care is one of my FAVORITE things to talk about, so I am psyched for this blog! Today we’re going to chat about implementing self care and my journey with stress management and mental health. I know there are a million bloggers out there who talk about the importance of self care and all the things they do, but I wanted to focus a bit on how to actually start self care, what that has looked like for me, and what that means for you. Let’s go:

 

Self care doesn’t come naturally to us all. I know it’s something some people really excel at, but for others it can be intimidating or even just not realistic for them to figure out a whole “self care routine”. Look, self care doesn’t have to be a huge thing. That’s the beauty of it. It can be whatever you want it to be.

 

One of the biggest self care things I have done for myself this year is to start going to therapy. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for a long time, but I always attributed it to the fact that I wasn’t yet pursuing a career I loved. When I went full time at the beginning of the year, I thought that this was it. Finally, FINALLY I was doing what I wanted to be doing with my life. The mental struggles I’ve kept to myself for so long will go away now, right? They have to. This is all because I’ve never been doing what I wanted to do with my life…or so I thought.

 

When I sat down and made myself face facts, I had to accept that this was something I’ve dealt with my whole life. I’ve always been anxious. Constantly on edge worrying about making others happy or what other people were thinking of me. Quite literally, constantly. I’ve always been one to take care of others, to the point of neglecting myself. That would catch up with me and I’d be so overcome with stress and feeling depressed that I wouldn’t want to get out of bed, even if I had plans to do something fun. Even if it was to go to a photo shoot or work on my passion, I’d go into a spiral of self-hate, telling myself I wasn’t good enough for any of the things I want to achieve and honestly, who even was I to think I could do those things? Who was I to think anyone would want to listen to what I have to say? I’d stress myself out so much that I would be in physical pain. When I get stressed I carry it all in my neck, shoulders, and back and there would be weeks on end where I was in constant pain because I was always holding onto all these anxieties and stressors, and no one around me knew a thing about it.

 

Last fall, I was on the edge of a nervous breakdown. I was smack in the middle of my busiest wedding season yet and was working, easily, 40 hour weeks in my photography business to keep things running and afloat. Oh, and that was on top of my 40 hour a week day job that I did not enjoy, not to mention the fact that I am a human with an entire personal life outside of work. There wasn’t much of that going on. Any time I wasn’t working, was spent taking care of my pets, seeing my family when I could, and trying to make a long distance relationship work. This was coming at the end of a 4-5 year period of me building my businesses on top of my day job, and sacrificing my personal life in the process, and it took an EXTREME toll. I knew something had to change. I hired a virtual assistant and an editor, and if I hadn’t done that when I did, I am 100% confident that this business would no longer exist today. I was feeling so exhausted, so burnt out, and even more exhausted from feeling like I had to hide that from everyone. Bringing on a team to help me out, changed so much. It gave me time to rest and heal, and made a huge difference in my happiness and mental state. However, it didn’t change everything. My anxieties were still there. I still had days in a row where I’d feel depressed. But in my mind, I knew being full time was just around the corner and that would all disappear when that happened…right?…

 

When I did go full time at the beginning of the year and these issues didn’t magically go away (Shocker, I know) I knew it was time to prioritize my mental health, and that has hands-down been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, if not the actual best. If you’re struggling with mental health, even things like: self confidence, organizing your thoughts, being productive, staying grounded, or feeling like you’re not living your full potential, I would highly recommend you look into therapy. It doesn’t have to be some big, scary thing. And you don’t have to feel like you have a laundry list of reasons to go. That was one of the reasons it took me so many years to start therapy; because I didn’t feel like my reasons were good enough.

My therapist has since informed me without a shadow of a doubt: that my feelings are valid. My needs are enough, my health matters…and so does yours. 

So let me be the validation for you right now. If you are struggling with something, and feel like you need help to get through it: your feelings are valid. You deserve to give yourself the best self care there is, which is putting yourself, and your state of mind, first and foremost.

 

One of the first things my therapist asked me was what do I love to do for me? What do I do to make myself happy, outside of my work? I looked at her dumbstruck, because I had no clue. The only answer I could come up with was “um..well I like to go to the movies by myself sometimes but other than that…I really don’t know. I haven’t had time to focus on what makes me happy.” She gave me a big smile and said “that’s wonderful you go to the movies! And don’t worry, we’ll find plenty of other things you love”. She’s been having me do different things to explore what I like to do for me, and it is SO much fun.

 

What I’m getting at is: it’s okay if you don’t have a huge list of things you love to do in your spare time, but it’s time to figure some stuff out. Or maybe you have a whole list of things you love, but haven’t made time for any of them? Yeah, it’s time to focus on that. Let me share a little list of things I’ve found I like to do for self care:

  • Self movie date
  • Watercolor painting
  • Going explore a new town for a day or weekend
  • Face Mask + bath
  • Going for a walk
  • Laying around watching Netflix (no, I am not ashamed to admit I love to do that every now and then)
  • Treating myself to a nice dinner (aka- sushi)
  • Having a girls night with friends

 

Do I do those things every day? No. Do I do at least one of those things every week? I really try to, and I’m getting better at it. I heard a friend say lately that they’re a “recovering workaholic” and that hit me deep, because it describes me perfectly. Now that I’m working to be more conscientious about implementing self care, I’ve seen a huge change in my happiness, mental health, and physical health!

 

I want you to know that you deserve to make time for yourself. I know what you’re thinking, “But Paige… I have a family to take care of… I have a job to do… I have responsibilities. They need to come first” and you know what? You’re right about one thing: you do have responsibilities. We all do, and they are important, but don’t those responsibilities deserve to get you at your very best? And can you be your very best if you aren’t taking care of yourself and making sure YOU are happy and healthy first? So, your first responsibility is to yourself, and everything else that comes after will be grateful you’ve put yourself first, because they’re getting the best version of you!

 

So this week I have a challenge for you: schedule some self care time for you. I am not kidding. If you’re a planner gal like me, mark it off in your planner. Put it in your phone on your calendar, and do not budge. Whether it’s one single hour, or a whole day, do not make ANY other plans during that time, and go do whatever the heck you want to do! Then come back here and tell me what you did, how you felt about it afterwards, and I’ll share mine with you. Sound like a deal?

 

Now go on and treat yo’ awesome self, babe! You deserve it!

 

XO,

Paige

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- michelle + sean

From the moment we met Paige and Sarah I knew it would be a lifelong bond! They are the kindest most genuine humans you will probably ever meet. Not only do I cherish our relationship, but it makes for incredible photos because you can be completely comfortable and your authentic self when in their hands. I have a medical condition and Paige was my #1 support (next to my husband) during our engagement shoot and entire wedding day. She takes magical photos, and on top of that acts similar to a bridesmaid - helps with your train, has snacks if you feel a crash coming LOL! I never felt stress and if I did it was short lived because she truly had our backs! Additionally, we are a “covid couple” who postponed 2x and she met that challenge with the utmost compassion, understanding, and flexibility. Paige Elizabeth Photography will be the best decision you make. Don’t walk - RUN to book! She has this incredible ability to capture the candid moments and your day exactly how it happened so the memories are stored forever. They blow any expectation of photography out of the water, and will become you and your family/friends for life to capture all the important moments.

"The best decision you make"

- Claudia + chris

Paige was an amazing photographer for our engagement and wedding pictures! We got along with Paige immediately and she made us feel very comfortable in front of the camera. Paige is very genuine and fun and our guests noticed this as well. The wedding party had fun joking with her during portraits and our guests loved that she danced while photographing the reception.

Paige kept track of the schedule once we started the portraits which allowed us to focus on our friends and family and having fun. She also looked over the tentative schedule during the planning process to ensure we had enough time for each part of the day.

Paige gave us clear expectations for when we could expect the finished pictures and delivered hundreds of high quality pictures within those timeframes. We love Paige’s documentary style photography that captures the moments as they unfold rather than staging them.

We would recommend Paige to anyone looking for a photographer and we will definitely be booking her again in the future!

"Genuine and fun"

- amanda and mo

I have hired Paige for several things, but she SLAYED my wedding this past September! Not only were my pictures amazing (which I knew they would be), but she was phenomenal with shot ideas and even breathing techniques to help keep me calm right before the walk down the aisle. Photos came back super quick and we will be ordering prints from her soon! HIRE THIS WOMAN!!!!

"SLAYED"

- michelle + sean

From the moment we met Paige and Sarah I knew it would be a lifelong bond! They are the kindest most genuine humans you will probably ever meet. Not only do I cherish our relationship, but it makes for incredible photos because you can be completely comfortable and your authentic self when in their hands. I have a medical condition and Paige was my #1 support (next to my husband) during our engagement shoot and entire wedding day. She takes magical photos, and on top of that acts similar to a bridesmaid - helps with your train, has snacks if you feel a crash coming LOL! I never felt stress and if I did it was short lived because she truly had our backs! Additionally, we are a “covid couple” who postponed 2x and she met that challenge with the utmost compassion, understanding, and flexibility. Paige Elizabeth Photography will be the best decision you make. Don’t walk - RUN to book! She has this incredible ability to capture the candid moments and your day exactly how it happened so the memories are stored forever. They blow any expectation of photography out of the water, and will become you and your family/friends for life to capture all the important moments.

"The best decision you make"

- emily

Paige is the absolute best photographer you could have! We took our engagement photos with her and was blown away how at ease she made us feel and how amazing the photos turned out. When she sent us our sneak peak photos from our wedding, our mouths dropped. They were better than we could have ever imagined! I still have family members talking about how much they loved her. She is also not afraid to kick everyone off a deck to get some night time pictures if they are in the way hahaha! She is truly the best. BOOK HER!

"Better than we could have ever imagined!"

- Sam + Ryan

Paige is the best! We met first when we booked her for our 2019 wedding and engagement. She was our first vendor booked and obviously our favorite. We just knew we HAD to work with her. She is incredibly understanding, warm, and always smiling. She does her best to feel like family and make your shoot full of ease. She completely understands when people feel “awkward in front of the camera”. We’ve continued to use her through the years, taking anniversary shots, mini sessions, and most recently family photos as our family grew. We have loved watching her succeed over the years and having her document our successes as well :) book her!

"Book her!"

- Sydney + andrew



"I WAS NOT READY! 

Paige, these are absolutely everything and have helped us relive the most special day. You not only captured all of the sweetest moments but somehow all of the FUNNIEST and most memorable moments that we are all still laughing about. Have no idea how you were so many places seemingly at once but we are forever grateful. 

Thank you for making us feel so comfortable and celebrated throughout the entire process. We'll be looking at these photos forever. I only wish we could do it all together again!"

"I was not ready!"

- Mackenzie

Paige has been such a gift to our family over the past 3 years since we started booking her as our photographer. From family sessions, to boudoir and maternity- Paige has always nailed our vision. I have GLADLY recommended her to friends for their weddings and beyond, and everyone has been thrilled with Paige’s work. Not only is she an amazing photographer, but an awesome person. I felt like we were fast friends which made me even more comfortable in front of the camera. If you’re looking for a photographer, look no further!!

"such a gift"

- text from makenna

"..THANK YOU is an understatement. You made our wedding, you captured EVERYTHING, and to think that you were a one woman show blows my mind. You were everywhere and captured every single detail. I knew when we booked with you that we wouldn't regret it, we are so pleased with everything. We are so happy and can't wait to share all the pictures with our whole family. I can't wait to TRY to pick our favorites and display them all over our house. Just know that you will be in our lives for a while, hopefully capturing our kiddos one day!...Thank you for being you and for sharing your talent with us! We are overwhelmed with all that you have given to us!"

"THANK YOU!"

- texts from rachel 

"OMFG"
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME"
"These are INSANE"
"Holy shit I'm dying"
"OMMMGGGG"
"I'm legit obsessed this is amazing!!!!"
"Holy f**K I cna't stop staring at them" 
"You are insane"
"WE ARE DYING OVER HERE"

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME"

- Megan

Absolutely amazing to work with!!
I've followed paige for years,admiring her work and was lucky enough to work with her this past summer for what was just a couples shoot, turning into a surprise engagement shoot. Paige and her sister were such a joy and SO easy to work with! Paige makes you feel so comfortable infront of the camera. She truly feels like a friend and we are so lucky to have her shoot our wedding in 2024. Her work is beautiful so please do yourself a favor and book with paige Elizabeth 

"Truly feels like a friend"

- Morgan

I first met Paige in 2019, she came with our wedding photographer as a second shooter. She made not only myself, but my husband and our wedding party feel instantly comfortable and like we had known each other for years. Paige then did our maternity pictures in 2020. Not only is all of her work incredible, but the smile that she has when she is behind the camera is so bright that you cannot help but myself when you are having your picture taken by her. She is great at making poses not seem staged and the way that she communicates with you while she is taking your pictures is so calming. Paige is so talented and the passion that she has for her work is truly inspiring!

"Instantly Comfortable"

- Brittany

PAIGE PAIGE PAIGE! I'm crying! These are gorgeous! Thank you so much for these - we always love your work. Can't wait to schedule our next session with you! 

"Can't wait to schedule our next session.."

- Lindsey + emmit

Thank you thank you thank you. You are honestly incredible. You are the best third wheel ever!

"Best third wheel ever!"

- makenna + andrew

Paige, you are INCREDIBLE! You have such a gift, you are so good at what you do. Thank you for these pictures. I can not stop drooling over them. I can’t wait to share them! Thank you so much!! 

"INCREDIBLE"

- Melissa + max

So completely blown away, I can't wait to share more!" 

"Completely blown away"

- samantha + ryan

"These are the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen in my life. You are a wizard (yes the HP kind) with a camera - it was meant to be in your sweet perfect hands. Thank you so much for yesterday and for everything. We are so so lucky to get to have you and your talents capture the best day of Ryan’s and I’s lives"

"You Are a Wizard"

- HALEY + BRANDON

"OH MY GOD PAIGE YOU F*@%KING KILLED IT...Thank you so much for capturing everything. We are so grateful for you!"

"OH MY GOD"

- Krista, 2020 PEP Senior rep

"Paige is one of the kindest people I've ever met! When it comes to senior pictures, I'm so glad I chose her. She was quick with our photos, always gave us sneak peeks, and hyped us up during our whole shoot! Wish I could be a PEP Senior Rep forever!" 

"I'm so glad I chose her"

- Kelsey + gavin

"Paige made our engagement and wedding photo experience unforgettable. She was professional, fun, and did an amazing job capturing our personalities in our photographs. Great turn around time. I cannot say enough great things about this woman!!!"

"Unforgettable"

- jen and shane

"PAIGE! I just got a chance to completely look through all of the photos. They are absolutely stunning!!! Thank you so much, you captured everything perfectly!"

"Captured Perfectly"

- courtney, 2020 PEP Senior rep

"I genuinely could not be happier with the experience Paige provided me with this year. I was super nervous to be in front of the camera, but my shoots with Paige literally felt like hanging out with your best friend while simultaneously taking photos. Paige sincerely cares about each and every one of her clients, and that is made so evident by the hard work she puts into her craft. I’ve learned so much from watching Paige run her business and I am in awe of how much she loves what she does- and how incredibly talented she is at what she does. Not only did I gain breathtaking photos of my Senior year that I will keep close to my heart forever, I also gained a friend, and to me that is priceless. If you’re thinking about booking a shoot with Paige, do it now- you’ll wonder where she’s been all your life. 💕"

"Could not be happier"

- Gabby + Kyle

"Literally sitting here crying because your pictures are so amazing. I’m absolutely in love they are perfect. I love your style of candid and how you get the perfect shot...The hardest thing for me to choose was our wedding photographer, it took me the longest time. And we 1000% made the right choice. You did amazing. Thank you so much!"

"Absolutely in love"

- Baby, 2020 PEP Senior rep

"You're literally the best at what you do...I love them all!"

"The best"

- Tori + aaron

"BEST. PHOTOGRAPHER. EVER...Don't know what we would have done without you!"

"BEST. PHOTOGRAPHER. EVER"

- hannah + ross

"Paige is phenomenal. From the very first meet up, I knew that she was going to do everything in her ability to make our day something special. She is so easy to work with, and really plays to the strengths of the couple. My husband and I are awkward and we laugh at everything, and she let us be ourselves and really captured our personalities in the pictures. She truly went the extra mile and brought so much energy to our day."

"Phenomenal."

- Chelsea + seth

"We had a blast with Paige, and have the most amazing photos to show from it. We are blessed beyond belief that we met this wonderful human and that she provided us with photos that will adorn our home for years to come. Through grateful tears, THANK YOU for your work. We are so happy to have a friend in you."

"The very best day."

- Keeley, 2020 PEP Senior rep

"Paige is one of the most kindest, hardworking, selfless, people I know. I’m am not a confident person at all, but when I did my shoots with Paige she would make me laugh and feel confident. One of my favorite parts of my senior year was being able to get to know her, and do my senior casuals with her. She is not only a great photographer but a great person💕"

"She would make me laugh and feel CONFIDENT"

- Alicia + Justin

"From personal experience, I can say that Paige is incredible to work with. She was the best photographer we could have asked for! We highly recommend her!" 

"Highly Recommend"

- Tori + otto

“Paige is an outstanding professional with AMAZING photography skills. My husband and I LOVE her, and we were so delighted with our experience using her services on our special wedding day. Paige has a way of making you feel so comfortable in front of the camera and the photography she creates is absolutely top notch. Thank you Paige!”

"So Comfortable"

- morgan + skye

“Paige is just the best. She (sometimes literally) bent over backwards to make our day and everything before our day go absolutely perfect. There aren't enough words to explain how thankful we are for her AND her beautiful work. I can't imagine our wedding day without her and will most definitely be recommending her to everyone in the future.”

"Aren't Enough Words"

love notes.