It’s important to reflect on your journey as a photographer, and as such I’d like to show you the first portrait I ever shot. This photo was taken eight years ago in my high school art class. My equipment was a (fancy) Fuji Finepix point and shoot camera with 2 megapixels and a lamp, in a storage closet my teacher let me use. The subject was one of my classmates, Isabelle, who was kind enough to pose for me despite my completely novice skills.

Looking back on the photographs I took then, I miss the lack of boundaries I placed on myself. Technical skills and the training therein has a way of teaching you all of the bad habits that are considered ‘technically poor.’ These included aspects such as dutch angles, harsh lighting, composition rules, and other nuances that now I feel may restrict me more than they used to.

I was very interested in portraits after taking this image, and practices with more classmates, experimenting with all manner of things. I thought myself quite clever for using colored notebook dividers as gels, managing to experiment with different colors and lighting.

Whenever I feel a bout of gearlust sneaking up on me, I look back on these images and remember what I was able to create with the bare essentials. All it takes is a vision, a connection with your subject, and an understanding of the tools you do have available, regardless of how basic they may be.

We all begin somewhere. I’d love to hear some of the humble beginnings you have had, be it in an art media or a hobby - please do share!

Like many blogs, there is always that awkward initial introductory post. So here it is.

My name is Kendra Paige, and I am an emerging fashion and portrait photographer based near Miami, Florida. I have years of experience under my belt, but am always driven by experimentation and the pursuit of higher achievement. Every shoot is an opportunity to hone my skills and explore, and I am excited and driven by the opportunities and amazing people I encounter each time I get behind the lens.

My purpose for starting this blog is to chronicle the day in the life of an emerging photographer, to shine light on an industry that is as secretive as it is awe-inspiring, and share the knowledge that so many have been generous to share with me over the years.

I am always happy to answer questions and offer advice to those who ask, and also open myself to constructive critique from others. As an artist, I grow not only from my own experiences, but from the input and influence of those around me.

I hope you will decide to follow this blog, and allow me to engage with you all.
-Kendra Paige