Meet Paige Edenfield | Owner and Lead Artist at Paige Shryock Visual Art

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paige Edenfield and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paige, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My process of starting a business was almost a decade in the making. I have been photographing since 2012 when I was senior in high school. I always loved writing (personal stories, poems, for the school newspaper) but when I realized I could share stories through imagery and creativity, I was hooked. I went to the University of Mississippi studying Imaging Arts, a fancy way of saying photography and graphic design. At Ole Miss, I was able to learn a wide range of art making skills as well as work with local businesses. Seeing other entrepreneurs creating and connecting with others really gave me joy but the uncertainty of owning your own businesses terrified me. I ended up teaching for 6 years as well as starting my business at year two to allow myself financial security as I was growing confident and my clientele. At the year three mark in 2023, I could see an opportunity to jump full time as I was moving to Atlanta and it has been an awesome decision. I miss my students but being business owner allows me to have flexibility to live a life on the move, dedicating time to my own art making.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started my journey as a photographer interested in shooting only fine art with skills being heavily in photoshop and photo manipulation. I swore up and down I would not be a wedding photographer or shooting events. As I began to work professionally as a graphic designer and photographer I realized my business and brand could be a mix of fine art in the commercial “cookie cutter” world. There is serious need for photo manipulation in the commercial space even as AI becomes more common.

The challenge has always been the push to create different work and sharing stories. I always am looking what is popular in the wedding/event imagery and design space, which is notoriously isolating to certain groups as well as budgets. I look to make my own twist on what’s popular while also making good imagery and designs attainable for real people and couples. For me it has been challenging on how to create meaningful art for all socioeconomic groups as well as business to live off of. In trying times it has also been beautiful because connecting with others and showing empathy comes naturally to me.

I honor that Paige Shryock Visual Art Art is versatile and constantly changing. I was able to bring on two associates in my home state of Maryland while also expanding to the South/East. Paige Shryock Visual Art specializes in imagery and design products that focus on celebration and personal story. With every photo session or design project that begins at inquiry, I focus on how can we create something trendy and fun that will also be timeless to the client. We celebrate our clients for who they are and the time in their lives. Each final product is a heart felt celebration of the client as well as bold and unique, whether it be in color or black and white. We capture real, diverse people and their stories.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is difficult because Atlanta is SO fun. I dreamt of living and creating here when I was still on the east coast. I would definitely start by taking my bestie to the Belt Line. This space for me not only encourages me to physically well but creatively well. It’s filled with life of people working out, art displays and street performers playing. It makes my DMV heart over joyed. I would slip in some shopping at Citzen Supply at Ponce to shop and support local businesses and organizations. In the PM, I would suggest us grabbing drinks and dinner downtown hopping around Little 5 or Virginia Highlands A expresso martini or two at Highland Tap is a must. End the night with seeing a show at Atlanta Symphony Hall or the Fox. If not we’re going to the basement of Dark Horse and screaming with the band or dancing the night away at MJQ.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My path wouldn’t be what it was without my support system; my family and friends, my husband, and the art educators I have had throughout the years.

My family – my parents Larry Shryock, Patricia Shryock, and sister Emily Shryock all influenced me in my own way. My dad always encouraged me to try all my creative interests even if they were messy or odd. My mother Patrica encouraged me to continue my education as well as become an art educator. She is a teacher close to retirement and if I didn’t have that period of my life I don’t know if I would’ve ever had the courage to become a business owner. My sister Emily is always hyping up my work, connecting me with others in our hometown and now in her new city of Louisville, KY. My friends keep me inspired as well as cheer me on whether it was an art show, switching schools while I was teaching, or switching career paths.

My husband Trey has been there since I was a college student, constantly debating what field I would go into. He reminded me I was an artist when I would tell people I was just a teacher. (Although being a teacher is an honor). He has encouraged me to chase my dreams even when it means taking risks and struggling.

My art educators pushed me to be tenacious but flexible. There’s a lot of ways to pivot and create something that will influence the world. Some were my biggest critics who made me second guess myself and some were my biggest fans who helped me grown confidently in being different. The ones who stuck with were artists themselves. Regardless, I appreciate all of them.

Website: http://www.paigeshryockvisualart.com

Instagram: @psvisualart @psvaboudoir

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-shryock-0046a78b

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paigeshryockvisualart/