Meet Claudia Paul | Photographer

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

Hi Claudia, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
As I am getting a bit older and have been running my business for about 15 years I feel that my priorities have certainly shifted. I used to be a proud workaholic and perfectionist. But the pandemic and losing my dad almost 2 years ago combined with feeling mentally and physically unwell have taught me a lot. I took a mini sabbatical from work and was able to shift my perspective and approach to work. Now I feel that I am more balanced and I often prioritize my wellbeing over needing to be productive all the time. I think it’s great to do work that you love but having a healthy body and mind is so important.

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.
Choosing a photography career in New York City might not be the smartest decision I ever made. But when I first came to New York I fell in love with the City and I fell in love with photography. So I gave it my all and worked hard towards my goal of establishing myself and my business. I will say that learning the ropes from established photographers, interning and assisting first was key to my development. I think there are so many lessons to learn when you observe others and keep your ego in check as well. I once did an internship in Germany with a car photographer and all I was allowed to do was polishing cars and making coffee. But there is value in every experience – I realized that I don’t like cars all that much and that photographing people brought me so much more joy. Over time I found that I truly enjoy connecting with the people I photograph and helping them tap into their authentic selves so their portrait is more than just a pretty picture. I love creating authentic imagery and working with clients who are also aligned with that goal.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
New York always changes and some of my favorite spots in the City have come and gone with the pandemic or the ever increasing rents. But with that said, there are still some gems around. Food is amazing in New York, so much to choose from. I love authentic Indian food – lots of great places to be found in Murray Hill (also called Curry Hill). My best kept secret for real home cooked Italian is Gaia Cafe (https://www.gaiaitaliancafe.com/) – no frills takeout but the food is to die for.
Growing up in Europe I love real croissants and in my opinion the best place for those is Ceci-Cela bakery (https://www.cecicelanyc.com/).
Everyone visiting NYC should have a look at the City from way above – some newish options are Summit One Vanderbilt (https://summitov.com/) – a fun and very trippy experience and The Edge (https://www.edgenyc.com/en) – love that it’s an outdoor sky deck so go on a sunny day 🙂
Shakespeare in the Park is great during the summer and Central Park is one of the best places to escape the hustle and bustle of the City a bit. New York is a walking city and that’s one of the reasons I love it so much. Take the subway and then just explore on foot.
Some excellent museums of course for rainy days – Fotografiska, The Whitney, MoMa, ICP all have excellent photography exhibitions (Fotografiska and ICP are only photography).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When I first came to the US from Germany to start my photography career, I started as an intern with Jack Deutsch, a well established fashion photographer. Being at a studio full time was a great experience for me, I really learned a lot of my tools from this time – not only when it comes to the technical parts of photography, but also the ins and outs of running a business, dealing with clients and so much more. I truly believe anyone starting a business should seek out a mentor, coach or some other kind of support system to lean on. I’ve also always been involved in the local photography community and trade organizations like ASMP New York and APA New York (where I also served on the board for 2 years). Being self-employed can be tough, so I’d encourage anyone to get the help they need and build that network you can lean on for advice and encouragement.

Website: https://www.claudiapaul.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudiacpaul/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiacpaul/

Image Credits
All images are © Claudia Paul, including the portrait (self portrait)