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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.

How I Choose Photoshoot Locations

Hey y’all! So after the wild response I’ve gotten since posting the photo from Jen + Shane’s engagement session at the Bromo-Seltzer Tower in Baltimore, I figured I’d write a post talking with y’all about the #1 question I got in response to that:”How did you find this spot?!” and “This is so cool! How do you choose your shoot locations?”

And I laughed every single time I got that question because the short answer is: I don’t.

I’m not kidding y’all. I RARELY choose my shoot locations. You’re probably staring at your screen right now with your mouth open or rolling your eyes thinking “Yeah, right. She’s full of it.” And I’m really not. Let me explain.

I have my couples choose their photoshoot locations. Seriously! Jen and Shane were the ones who found and booked the Bromo-Seltzer Tower for their session all on their own. I knew about that location, but had never shot there before. They asked if we could do it there, and of course I was all about it!

I typically start prepping my couple to choose their own shoot location before they even book me for their wedding. I talk to every client on the phone before booking so we can get to know one another and make sure we’re the perfect fit, and I provide a lot of education on a variety of topics on that call- one of those being the engagement session location. I explain how I encourage all my couples to think about what kinds of things are meaningful to them as a couple. What are some of the things they love to do together, or places they love to go? What’s something that really represents them?

So many photographers insist on choosing locations themselves, or don’t want to shoot at certain locations because of lighting or because it’s not “cool” enough. To be perfectly honest, a lot of photogs think about Instagram likes when they choose locations. Some of you photogs reading this right now might be appalled at the fact that I give this job to my couples, because maybe you feel like that should be on me, but I love giving my couples the power to make this decision, and I’ll tell you the same things I tell them as to why.

Allowing them to choose their own location, especially if it’s a location or activity that is meaningful to them, automatically is going to make them more comfortable during the session. Having a semi-stranger shove a camera in your face for an hour or two is uncomfortable for most of us, so anything I can do to help my couple feel more comfortable (within reason, of course)- I’m going to do.

If they choose to do something or visit a location that represents them as a couple, those pictures are not only going to be more enjoyable to take, but are going to be even more meaningful to them when they look back on them 10, 30, 50+ years from now. It makes me so happy to think about them pulling out a dusty album when they’re older, maybe surrounded by grandkids, or cats, or puppies, or just each other, looking back on those photos and seeing the bar they used to go to every Thursday night. Or the spot where they had their first kiss. Or heck, even them in sweatpants playing their favorite board game with their kitty cat.

“I am here to give them the opportunity to tell their story however they want to tell it. It’s not about me. It never was.”

This isn’t to say there is anything wrong with choosing a “creative” spot. My engagement sessions include two locations, so if a couple really wants something a bit different or creative, I generally encourage them to choose one creative and one meaningful location! Which is exactly what happened with Jen and Shane. After we shot at the Tower, we headed to a spot near their apartment where they walk their dogs, and we could see in the background where they had their first kiss.

I don’t know everything about my couples. I don’t know their stories from start to finish and all the intricacies of the in-between. When it comes to something as special as an engagement shoot, what could be better than letting them make it exactly what they want it to be? I love allowing my couples to tell whatever story they want to through their photos.

This isn’t to say that if they ask for my advice that I refuse, but I do say “it’s completely up to you guys” QUITE a lot. If they have questions about lighting or timing or how I think a certain spot will turn out, I answer them fully and honestly and give them all of the options, and then let them choose… because this is about them. I am here to give them the opportunity to tell their story however they want to tell it. It’s not about me. It never was.

Scroll below to see some samples from some of my engagement sessions this Fall. I’ve added a caption to each one explaining if it was a creative or meaningful location (sometimes it’s both) and why!

Thanks for coming, friends. Anything else you want me to chat about? Now that busy season has come to an end, I’ll actually have time to blog again! Leave any questions/suggestions in the comments!

XO,

Paige

Jen + Shane.
Left: Creative Location- Bromo-Seltzer Tower (Baltimore)
Right: Creative + Meaningful Location- Park near their apartment where they walk the dogs, in the background you can see a spot where they shared their first kiss.
Katie + Spencer.
Meaningful Location: Beach in DE where they love to spend their time when they are together. These two grew up spending lots of time at the beach, so it was only natural for them to do their shoot there!
Lindsay + Bryce.
Creative + Meaningful Location: Federal Hill Park (Baltimore) This park has a creative element because of the skyline of the city in the background, it’s also meaningful to these two because it’s where they got engaged!
Lindsay + Bryce.
Meaningful Location: Lindsay and Bryce play a game of yahtzee in their apartment and cuddle on their couch that they share with their super cute kitty, Bo. See if you can spot him in the picture on the right!
Michelle + Sean.
Creative + Meaningful Location: On the boat and at the little beach they spend so much time at in the summer with their families.
Michelle + Sean.
Meaningful Locations: On the left, at their favorite bar in St. Michaels. On the right, in front of the little post office near Michelle’s Aunt’s house, where their relationship became ~official~.
Carrie + Drew.
Meaningful + Creative Location: The King + Queens Seat in Rock Creek State Park. Where they shared one of their first dates.
Carrie + Drew.
Meaningful + Creative Location: The Waterfall in Rock Creek State Park. Where they shared one of their first dates.
Haley + Brandon.
Meaningful Location: Cutty Sark Restaurant. Right across from their apartment, where they shared their first date, and now spend many nights laughing with each other and friends.
Haley + Brandon.
Meaningful + Creative Location: The beaches in their neighborhood where they share their first home together.
Haley + Brandon.
Creative Location: Norfolk Botanical Gardens
Ashley + Cody.
Creative + Meaningful: Downtown Berlin, MD. A super cute small town on the Eastern Shore that Ashley has always loved and wanted to wander around. Why not wander while getting photos?
Ashley + Cody.
Creative Location: Assateague Island. (One of my all time favorite spots to shoot on the Shore) Assateague is gorgeous and during November there was not a soul around!
Caitlyn + Matt.
Creative Location: This was a creek off the side of the road near our second location! Caitlyn really wanted some photos with a creek (as someone thoroughly obsessed with creeks, I felt this on a v deep level, lo)
Caitlyn + Matt.
Creative + Meaningful Location: Downtown Sykesville, MD. This charming little town is near their home and they love to visit it! We wandered around and found lots of unique spots to shoot at.
Kelsey + Adam.
Creative Location: Docks in Downtown Annapolis
McLean + Philip.
Meaningful + Creative Location: Old Town Alexandria, where they live together and love to spend their time exploring!
McLean + Philip.
Meaningful + Creative Location: Old Town Alexandria, where they live together and love to spend their time exploring!
Kristen + Zachary.
Meaningful Location: on the front porch and inside of the first home they purchased together, and share with their sweet pup, Ava.
Kristen + Zachary.
Creative + Meaningful Location: Downtown Ellicott City, not far from where they purchased their new home.
Laura + Matt.
Meaningful Locations: Middle + Left – the dock at Laura’s parents house in Chestertown, where they spend a lot of their weekends with their family. Right – A little beach on the Chesapeake Bay, where they love to take the boat during the summer.
Kristen + Jake.
Creative + Meaningful Location: St. Michaels, a town near Kristen’s family home where they love to spend their time.
Kristen + Jake.
Meaningful Location: Kristen’s family home on the water in St. Michaels.
Kristen + Jake.
Meaningful Location: Kristen’s family home on the water in St. Michaels.

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  1. Lindsay says:

    Love this!! 100% true – even when we were panicking that the apartment was too dark, you encouraged us to stick with a spot that had meaning. We love the pictures so far, and Bo is very excited that he got a shout-out!! Hope all is well!

- 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"

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