Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Payne.
Hi Chloe, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I went to UW Stout for college and had a few internships here and there. Interned for Disney, came back to Minnesota and worked at an agency that had a lot of sneaker clients. After working there for two years I started working for the bullseye aka Target. Somewhere in the mix of things decided to start a photography side business.
I loved doing internships. I thought that was a great opportunity to try and see if you like the company you work for, the type of work that they do and what they stand for. Also, a great way to try living in another place! I wouldn’t really call myself an experiential designer but I suppose I am on after the type of work I do. But by doing those internships and figuring out the type of design I like led me onto this path of experiential and retail design.
All throughout college and my professional career, I’ve loved photos and in my past agency, I had the opportunity to do a lot of photo and video work and help out with that. My current job right now is creative but by doing photos on the weekends and in my free time it’s just another creative outlet for me. I love working with couples and capturing candid special moments in their life it’s just something that they will have forever and I think that’s kind of amazing and it’s a little different than some of the retail designs that I make that will probably be recycled after its season, haha.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For the most part, it has been somewhat smooth but there are always a few road bumps here and there. I think I was really lucky in some aspects of getting internships, jobs and I was at the right place at the right time. But also at the same time, I know that I was a good designer, a hard worker and I like to believe that also showed in my career path. (imposter syndrome speaking lol) Before my current job at Target I was laid off from the agency I was at and that is a pretty big road bump. It sucks to get laid off there’s no doubt about that but at the same time, my mentality was that my time with this agency has run its course. Now this is a push to find something different, grow and find new opportunities. Getting laid off definitely isn’t fun but at the same time I knew that I would be ok, I was still early in my career and I would just know apply for different jobs and it’s not the end of the world. Just keep going.
In terms of my photography career path, for the most part, it’s early on and the road has been smooth except for setting up your own LLC and figuring out taxes. That stuff is confusing as heck and definitely did not learn that at school so the struggles to be a business owner haha
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
So what I do right now is I am a designer/art director that specializes in retail and experiential marketing. My career has been a lot of experiential design and creating moments and experiences for people and it’s been super fun.
I’m not really sure what I’m known for but growing up I was always known as the kid who would be doodling in class and just drawing and illustrating so many different things. I haven’t done illustration in a while but I love it and kind of miss it. I was also known as the person who was always documenting things and taking pictures and I think that makes total sense for me being a photographer.
I think the thing that I am most proud of and also what sets me apart from others is that I can wear a lot of different hats. I think I can be strategic in certain aspects. I’m also very realistic with creativity which is a double edge sword because with creativity you can really do anything but I have this habit of maybe sometimes being too realistic on what we can and can’t do in projects ha I can also art direct and articulate some of my ideas in my head to illustrators/photographers as well as also being able to design them. I also love the fact that I am able to do photography and videography as well And know that side of the creative industry. I love being versatile.
Pricing:
- Engagement Photos: $300
- Wedding Photos: Starting at $2500
- Wedding Videography: Starting at $2800
- Family Photos: Starting at $250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chloepaynedesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloepaynephoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chloepaynephoto/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWlBfFSAJRhrTjeUR9v97oA/featured
Image Credits:
Sarah Newhouse Latitude
