Seen by Paige Young BGAS25

Paige Young

Paige Young began to photograph around 16 years old when she started to intern for a local studio photographer. She was instantly addicted to the reaction of those receiving images of themselves— in the way they saw themselves in a positive light for sometimes the first time. She saw the connection between psychology and photography and how the intimacy between photographer and subject can really make or break the relationship with the self. Her commercial work, as well as her fine art work, revolve around the idea of self-compassion, representation, growth, and love. She focuses on topics of grief, eating disorders, mental health, and representation in communities that are being politically erased. She has owned her own business for more than 15 years, serving all walks of life within the wedding industry and celebrating all forms of love. Nothing is more important to her than all representation in the wedding industry, which seems to promote one ‘normal’ type of love. Paige also is a full-time professor at Grand Valley State University, teaching photography and theory in both the photography and visual studies department. Teaching and continuously learning is a gift and is another passion of hers. In all aspects of her life, she strives to be a home for those around her, whether it is in the classroom or in front of the camera.