Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Vincent.
Hi Paul, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been shooting professionally for over 15 years, and I’ve loved the people I’ve met and the places I’ve explored along the way.
In college, I majored in Accounting and Finance but spent much of my time shooting photos for the school newspaper. My first published photo was of me and some friends wakeboarding on a homemade slider at my girlfriend’s—now wife’s—house.
I realized the business world wasn’t for me when I spent the week of my first CPA exam photographing Brett Favre. I poured three full days into prepping, shooting, and wrapping that project—and couldn’t have cared less about the exam.
Soon after, I quit my corporate job and never looked back. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph incredible people and places. These days, I mostly shoot people on location for advertising, commercial, and editorial work.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
If you had told me 15 years ago what I’d be doing now, I wouldn’t have believed you. Yes, it’s incredible where photography has taken me—but no, it hasn’t been easy. Every year starts from scratch, and there’s no guarantee I’ll work a single day.
It takes a constant investment of time and energy to maintain the relationships that have supported me, while also building new connections and pursuing personal projects. There’s no roadmap for a freelance photographer; each year looks a little different.
I’ve been fortunate to work with some great clients—many who return again and again—and to be part of meaningful projects and unforgettable experiences. But every year, I also lose work due to shifting budgets, projects wrapping up, or staff turnover at companies.
The biggest challenge is managing self-doubt: Am I a strong enough artist to keep going at this level? Can I continue to run the business side well enough to sustain the creative work I love?
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work with artists and businesses on location. That can be anything from a running, motorcycle, or atv brands launching a new model, tourism work or business profiles for a banks annual report. Scouting, planning, and creating in the moment work is my favorite. I love to explore creative ways to bring visual interest into photos because we have so many images on our screens these days, we have to do something a little different to stand out.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory are my summers spent at the cabin. We have 18 cousins on my dads side and would be at the cabin every weekend swimming off the pontoon, ski-bobbing, fishing etc…later on my best friend also bought a cabin on the same lake and we started wakeboarding and surfing. This was back when it was all new and no one knew what they were doing. My cousin even had an original Hyperlite Skurfer. We would just play all day. That’s where I fell in love with the water. Now, I live on a lake closer to the city. I tell my grandpa, he’s 97, that he ruined me and now I have to live on a lake for the rest of my life!
Pricing:
- Each project is so different for me. I shoot global campaigns for companies like 3M as well as fun little startup brands. They obviously have way different budgets.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.paul-vincent.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_paulvincent_/
Image Credits
www.paul-vincent.com
