This year HCP welcomes photography teacher Paige Wilson.

Question: What did you study in college?

PW: I went to college for fashion marketing with a minor in photographic arts.

Question: How long have you been a photographer?

PW: I’ve been doing photography for about six years. I started when I was an HCP senior in photo 1, I took photo 2 my senior year and ever since then I’ve been interested in it and about my senior year that’s when I got into fashion and portrait a lot. I went to LA after that to do an internship and now I’ve been doing professional photography since then.

Question: Tell us about the internship.

PW: The summer after my senior year of college I went to LA to intern for a free lance photographer and I assisted her on shoots- she did shoots for magazines, celebrity clients and so on and so forth and it was really great. I got to learn a lot and meet a bunch of people out there.

Question: Why did you become a teacher?

PW: I always loved education and actually when I graduated from high school, my major going into college was English education, but as I went through that year I kind of started to change my mind so I changed my major and I just thought well maybe after I retire from being a big-time photographer I’ll come back and teach but the opportunity came to me earlier so I took it.

Question: How does it feel to teach at your Alma Mater?

PW: It was weird. I felt like I was in an alternate universe almost because I never knew what it was like on the other side, obviously because I was a student. Going into the teacher work room was weird, calling my teachers their first name was a little weird for me because it was like all those years I respected you as a teacher and now I can call you your first name because we’re on the same playing field now. It’s weird.

Question: How is HCP different now from when you attended?

PW: It feels the same for the most part. It’s a little different, I feel like the kids work harder almost. I know we worked so hard, but maybe it’s because I’m a teacher and I’m looking back at them. It seems that you just work harder and harder and harder, more and more as the school grows, honestly.

Question: What is your advice to students?

PW: For 9th through 11th grade, keep your grades up, be involved. You’re busy, I know it. You go to Harding, it’s hard, no pun intended. Try to be involved in the community and in the school. Join a club, do a sport and build your resume up. Prioritize. For seniors, same thing but just don’t give up that senior year. Keep the momentum going. This is your most important year and it will all pay off when you go to college and you’re super prepared. College isn’t easy, I won’t say that but coming from Harding you don’t feel blind sided by it.

Question: Where can we see your photography?

You can find my portfolio at www.paigeswilson.com.