We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dr. Paul Berg. Check out our conversation below.
Paul, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Absolutely everything. I am a photographer and I break all the rules of photography and walk my own path. I started photography in the 80’s when we focused on film and spent hours in the darkroom to get our photos just right. I had a long hiatus from photography but when I returned a couple years ago, everyone doubted that my old (what they say vintage style) would work. When I say I break all the rules, I mean I never do TFP (trade for photos) because models always deserve a fair wage for fair work, and I always share all my RAWS with all my models within 48-hours from shoot. I have been told that I am crazy but from my perspective, by showing a model every frame from my camera they get to see the progression of the shoot and see everything and become better models. I also give all models rights to their photos (50/50) and do not make models sign waivers to their property rights to their photos. All the established photographers told me that I would not make it 3-months with my style. Well, after 3-years, I have 298 covers and been published in 780+ magazines and been in 32 art galleries. My focus of my photography is authenticity and I don’t use photoshop and submit my photos right out of the camera to magazines. It seems to be working fine, even with all the folks who doubted my talents.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I started in photography in the 1980’s with an art professor who studied under Ansel Adams in outdoor photography and later pursued photography under the inspiration of Robert Mapplethorpe and Herb Ritts. In 1989 as my career was taking off, I joined the U.S. military as a CH-47 helicopter pilot, which became a 28-year military career to include four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. After receiving my PhD in adult education and transition into a military retirement, I became a full-time university professor and photographer and continue to take photos. I now use my photos to help teach the beauty of humanity. I take photographs for free for struggling artists and models who can’t afford it otherwise. A person’s world can change with just one photograph published. The greatest gift we can give are acts of kindness.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I have been shaped by many events in my life, but my 4-years of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan taught me the most about the world of politics and power. It is not just one event but multiple events. I have meet enough members of Congress and worked with several high political figures in the Middle East. I am changed by the violence and brutality of war and the effects on the population. I have my personal feelings about politics but I keep it private and have no desire to be publicly political. Governments are always trying to gain more power regionally and the military will always fight the conflicts. Peace is a state of mind. I live quietly in the country and keep to myself and do not contribute to social media discussions but everything in social media is driven by politics and money. I do frequently challenge people who get misguided by social media to seek the true information and not what’s on their phone feed. I hate war and hope we do not have any more, but I am also a realist and know there will always be conflicts in civilizations.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There are many times that I almost gave up on things due to the environments but due to yoga and meditation, I find my rational way of thinking and question everything. Never make decisions off emotions, make decisions off of logic.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
They get it wrong everywhere. You must first define smart as a metric but I prefer the term education. Depending on your education which is not always academic, will depends on how you think. It all depends on the situation. A person must be a life-long learner and a person must question everything. Education is power to a person and their psychological biases can really give a person the wrong answer. An educated person has a tendency to challenge beleifs and paradigms more because they know the truth about politics, government and business.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When have you had to bet the company?
I have had to bet the company many times in my career, but by holding on to my vision and believing in my philosophy and choosing the right people to work with, have always saved the bet. As long as I continue to believe in my purpose of photography, I will always bet on myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dr-paul-berg.kavyar.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilith_rede_photography_llc/
Image Credits
I own all the photos
