I am Red Paisley Photography’s business owner. I am also a photographer/artist/seamstress and mother. My 2 daughters are the joys of my life.
I was born in Sheboygan WI, but spent my childhood in a remote area of Papua New Guinea as a daughter of missionaries. Now I call Omaha, NE home. I had an amazing childhood filled with culture and multiple languages. I spent most of my days wandering the rain forest, carefully inspecting the plants and creatures with my friends from the village. I was captivated by the intense, bright colors of the rainforest and the contrasting textures. These experiences formed my eye as an artist. From age five, as soon as my legs could work a treadle sewing machine, I made skirts and shorts for my friends in the village…never using patterns. I made jewelry from seeds I picked up on the forest floor and learned how to make many arts and crafts from the people in the Sawiyano tribe.
When my family returned to the US, I continued sewing and began creating unique fashions for my new friends. I discovered my love for photography in 11th grade while doing a fashion photo shoot of a dress that I sewed and have been at it ever since. When I am behind the camera, I become very excited and forget the world behind me. I began photographing my friends and family and I also began getting hired to photograph high school seniors.
My art teacher enthusiastically encouraged me to pursue photography and I was awarded the John Michael Kohler Arts Scholarship in 1998. With the scholarship I attended the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, where I studied photography, as well as painting and drawing. It was while I was in college that I was hired to photograph my first wedding and in 2006, I started my own photography business, specializing in weddings. I photographed 200+ weddings for eight years but I am taking a break for a couple years.
In addition, I have a lot of experience in a variety of portraiture including children, families, newborns, pregnancy, high school seniors, engagement and more. I am truly blessed to be photographing my favorite subject matter…people.