Rising Stars: Meet Paul Berg

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Berg.

Hi Paul, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It is quite a long story, but I will summarize it this way. I fell in love with photography in 1986 and wanted to be a photographer. I met some great photographers in San Francisco and New York in the 80s and knew what I wanted to do, but life gives you what you need and not always what you want. In 1990, I enlisted in the Army to go to Desert Storm, because I was broke, bored, and needed direction. After I enlisted in the Army, returned to university, I became a helicopter aviator, and flew worldwide. I had an entire military career, deployed in combat for 42 months in Iraq and Afghanistan. So, after a 30-year fulfilled career, I retired, became a university professor, and picked up my camera again. It is not like riding a bike, but it came back quickly. I now work for free, helping young models in their beginning careers. Taking photos without worrying about charging models for my time is much easier and more fun. I focus on photographing real people; I only use natural light, I do not Photoshop, because authentic photos tell life’s best stories.

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have had a difficult road. I have had a career in the military and lived in the most austere places in the world. My photography has been difficult to return to, but being older, wiser, and living through hell and back gives me a unique advantage of life perspective. A challenging life is the best because you appreciate what you have more and never take a day for granted.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am known for many different things. I am a combat veteran, I am a published novelist, I am a farmer, I am a yogi, and I am an internationally published photographer. I am known for being a humble international photographer, having 127 covers and having been in over 250+ magazines with my unique photography style. What sets me apart from almost everyone is that I only use natural light, discourage makeup and fashion-design clothes, and do not alter my photos. I have been told that my technique will never work, and I keep getting covers, and the nay-sayers are just in shock. I just have a conversation with a model while we take photos; we talk and laugh and make faces, and I take photos.

What are your plans for the future?
Paul envisions a future with a photography book featuring real women and their personal stories. He also aspires to open a gallery someday. However, he is focused on his current endeavors, which include teaching, farming, and photography. Despite his busy schedule, Paul recognizes the importance of exploring the 10 acres of woods surrounding his home. With a steady and forward-moving approach, Paul is poised for the future.

Pricing:

• I pay models $100/hour
• Photography fee: $0

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dr-paul-berg.kavyar.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptcberg/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-paul-berg-9175ba19b/