Carlie Paige Photography aims to exceed client expectations

Published 12:45 pm Monday, March 14, 2022

What began in 2014 as a hobby transformed into a full-fledged business for Carlie O’Neal Parker. She said that people were always ask her to take their photos, so her photography business, Carlie Paige Photography, was born.

She and her husband, Will Parker, are both originally from Milledgeville and live in Haddock with their two children, Wrennon and Emrie.

The businesses name derives from her first and middle names.

Parker’s family and photography take up the majority of her time. Building her business is still an ongoing process, one that she takes on while also being a wife and mom. Learning the business side of photography was a learning experience, according to Parker, and attending a photography conference in Atlanta really helped her. She also is quick to shout out her friends in the photography business who were helpful when she was first starting out.

Carlie Paige Photography, has grown every year since this journey began, and just saying that brings her to tears.

“I am truly blessed by my clients and hope they know how thankful I am for them,” she said of the support from the community that her business has received.

Parker explained that she loves documenting families and children.

“Kids are little for a second. I love handing parents something that helps them keep these memories,” she said.

Another specialty is weddings, but she can also do senior and lifestyle portraits. Her photography style, she says, is all about getting honest emotions, and she does her best to make the customer feel comfortable.

The price range for her services starts between $150 to $400 and weddings start at $1,650.

A lot of work goes into each session, as she detailed.

“It is a process, that’s for sure, that goes overlooked. Upfront you have to communicate and get the needs of each client, pick a date. The session itself is posed and planned,” she revealed. “The editing process can take 30 minutes to 12 hours depending on the session.”

Still, it isn’t all that hard for her to decide what she enjoys most.

“Honestly, I love making people happy and shocking them with the results,” she said. “When people struggle with being in front of the camera and I can make them relax and love their pictures, I am happy.”

She said she loves the chance that she has to get to know each couple and their unique story.

Her faith in the Lord plays an instrumental role in her life and she is thankful for the life she has.

Once a session is over, Parker has particular hopes for what clients will say about her.

“I hope I exceeded their expectations. If they are happy, I am happy,” she said. “Anytime I get a sweet message from a client, you can usually guarantee I turn to my husband and say, ‘this is why I love my job.’”