Hi! I’m Paula

I create fine art photography that invites you to pause, to wonder, to connect.  Art designed to live with you and spark conversation.

Color is where my process begins. Every photograph starts in full color, but I pare it down to the hues that carry the feeling — the ones that stop you in your tracks and draw you closer. My background in interior design and a love for color theory shaped the way I see the world: certain tones calm, others energize, and even the smallest shift on the color wheel can transform a mood. That philosophy is the foundation of how I edit today — whether I’m working in cool blues, soft pinks, or the timelessness of black and white.

I’ve called a lot of places home…Seattle, Southern California, Boston, Chicagoland. But, since we moved to Charleston 15 years ago, this charming city has been my muse. Historic architecture, lush gardens, serene beaches, and sunsets that feel like they were painted just for us.

To me, great art doesn’t just fill a wall. It creates connection. It sparks reflection, conversation, and wonder. If one of my photographs becomes that for you, then I’ve done my job.

When my camera is put away, I’m happiest at home on the marsh with my family: Tim, Cora, and our golden retriever Lila.

I’m so glad you’re here, and I hope you discover a piece that feels like it’s part of your story.

Calm ocean waves gently rolling onto a sandy beach.
Paula McIntosh, Photographer