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

Hi Paula, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

As a child, I have always enjoyed taking pictures of random things and having a camera on vacation and trips. When I became a parent, I loved capturing my daughters. It didn’t matter what they were doing, I wanted every detail of those growing-up memories with them. Then came grandkids…my camera stayed attached to my hand! My “real professional” journey with photography began in 2010 when my daughters encouraged me to reach out to friends and capture their families. That is where it ALL begins.

I started out as a Senior photographer and eventually decided I wanted to move to Newborn photography. So, I reached out to different Newborn mentors and took as many workshops as I could to learn the art. I found that was what I really wanted to do. I wanted to start from the beginning of the journey with my moms, so I decided my genre would be Maternity, Newborn, Children, and Family. Starting from the very beginning with them was a way to create that client friendship and tell their stories from the very beginning. I love what I do and love that I can capture all these memories for them.

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.

As a photographer, my style is storytelling/lifestyle approach. I love capturing those real raw moments in every session. I truly want my clients to be themselves…relaxed and having fun. I want my clients to play, connect, and love on each other.

Having a beautifully curated client closet is something I provide to ALL my clients and is exclusive to them. I can completely style you and your family. This is something that not all photographers offer, so offering this does take the stress off  of my clients trying to figure out what to wear, not to mention the expense of purchasing a full wardrobe for one time.

There are always challenges in the business, but I can honestly say I have been very blessed to have the most amazing clients. There are going to be times when you don’t satisfy everyone, but as long as you do your part and provide the customer service that keeps clients coming back…that is what is important.

As far as a challenge, we decided to move to the DFW area in the Spring of 2020. Of course, we moved when the world was shut down. That was a challenge in itself. However, the transition was smooth and I had clients booking before I even made the move to the area. My business transition went very well, considering we were in the middle of a pandemic and things were a little crazy. Overall, there were not a lot of hiccups!

My style is warm and rich. I love earth tones for all seasons. You can choose to go with a bold warmth for the fall/winter or a warm soft color palette for the spring/summer. Upon inquiring about a session, my clients will receive a style guide that will go into detail what works best for styling any wardrobe…anytime of year!

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.
The DFW and surrounding area definitely has so much to offer. We have only been here 3 three years and have yet to touch a fourth of what all there is to do. I would take them to the Stockyards for starters. Watching the cattle run is always a fun thing to do! Some of my favorite places to eat there are 97 West at the Dover Hotel and Risky’s BBQ. During the holidays, the Gaylord is a great place to enjoy the holiday decorations and go to the ICE display. There are so many things to do during the holiday season. The Fort Worth botanical gardens/Zoo would be another place to enjoy. Like I said, so many things to do – attend a Dallas Cowboy game and/or Texas Ranger game (when in season) and the Texas State Fair is a fun place for all ages!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Gosh, this is a hard question because there are so many people in my life that have been supportive, encouraging and have pushed me to become the photographer I am today.

My family is my biggest support! They are always behind me encouraging me, supporting me, and cheering me on! My heart is truly blessed because they have become my biggest cheerleaders!

Since I have moved to the DFW area in 2020, I have found some of the most amazing photography friends who have been such an encouragement. They have taught me to “believe in myself” and have pushed me to better myself in so many ways in the business.

I have mentored with the best photographers in the industry in the US and around the world. There are too many to name, but everyone has had a very important part in how far I have come today.

Website: www.paulagoforth.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/paulagoforthphotography

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

Other: email: paula@paulagoforth.com

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