Christi Paige was recently chosen as one of PDN's 30 and I had a chance to speak with her.
1. In the PDN's 30 article, it was mentioned you were a psychotherapist for ten years. Can you tell me about your work experience and educational background and how that influenced your work?
I studied Spanish and Psychology in undergrad and then pursued a master’s degree in clinical social work a few years after undergrad. Being a social worker has maybe been the most influential force in my work, more than any other influence, maybe. Dealing with people in crisis is really about being vulnerable, in the moment, and as honest as you can be—otherwise, how can you best help someone? So, I feel pretty comfortable—actually very comfortable approaching strangers; I’m so curious about people and care about them. I’ve always been really curious about others and just love meeting strangers especially—I get a thrill out of those first few minutes with someone—when I’m trying to take their photo or doing an initial assessment as a clinician.
I was afraid of change, and the decision to leave my career as a social worker was difficult—I was good at it, and I had worked so hard. But I saw little hope for many of my clients despite their strength as individuals. In the end, I think my disillusionment with the systemic problems in social services and in our society not only helped me find this new career but continues to direct the themes and content of my photographs.
2. After working as a mental health advocate, what made you decide to study photography? What influenced your decision to move to New York?
I started photographing when I was about 8 years old. I intermittently photographed most of my life—mainly of people, but didn’t explore it as a career choice until 2005. I signed up for my first B+W darkroom class the day I returned to work after a trip to Honduras where I spent a lot of time taking pictures, but I think in actuality it was dealing with a challenging client that drove me to the darkroom that day. In a way I am half-kidding, but this incident helped propel a long-awaited desire for an expressive outlet. It was always a secret wish of mine—to be a photographer—but I was afraid to do it because it was so unknown to me. I moved to New York because my husband got a job here. Once he got the job, I applied to ICP and I dove in from there.
3. It's been almost a year since you graduated from the Documentary and Photojournalism program at ICP, what kind of work have you been doing since then? What are some of the challenges you've faced?
I’ve had a few editorial assignments for magazines, sold some prints and did a few portraits of random people for money. I’ve had some meetings with photo editors at magazines and worked hard at fostering those relationships and seeking out advice on how to keep going. I’ve done some personal work and learned how to light better and create a series of more set-up portraits.
I was a teacher's assistant at ICP too and that helped motivate me to shoot because I was encouraged to share work. I learned a ton from pushing myself on these projects—there were some basic technical skills I needed to feel confident around for assignments, and now I do. The challenges have been many—I haven’t made much money, and sometimes I feel isolated and not totally happy with my personal projects. I have a difficult time writing about my work and what I want to do—I really want to work on this.
4. So many of us, as emerging photographers, want to know; how did you get chosen as one of PDN's 30? What's the process?
It was a total surprise to me—I didn’t even know when it came out. I got an email in November stating that I was nominated, so then I submitted photos and a summary. I still don’t know who nominated me. I had established contact with one of the PDN editors before the nomination, so maybe this got my name around.
5. Have you gotten any job offers since the article came out?
Yes. A portrait assignment for W magazine. But again, I have had contact with them for a while. It was my first assignment after 4 contributor’s portraits over the last 6 months.
6. What project(s) are you working on at the moment?
Going to Beijing to do street photography. Trying to finish a series on the American Girl Store in NYC. I’m going to go to some small towns in the US and photograph the communities (I went to Utah after graduation). And, I started photographing the Russian community in Brooklyn in the fall, and hope to some day return to that.
