Meet Patricia Stables | Photographer, Retoucher and Lingerie Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Patricia Stables and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patricia, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am from little old hamlet called Evansburg, Alberta. I grew up on an acreage with horses, quading and snowmobiing every season, a typical Canadian playing hockey, but also loved fashion and dressing up. I was the girl who wore pleather pants and glittery platform sneakers, fur coats, mesh and rhinestones. I was just a small town girl with big dreams. Going to a very small school, with only about a wavering 20 kids in my class from Kindergarten to Grade 11, it had its ups and downs of small town life. I always loved fashion and photography, and I felt really held back in Evansburg, especially in my highschool years. I felt like I need more opportunities, so I made the leap to a new town and a new high school, mid year in Grade 11, to pursue a bigger school with a better education, sports and opportunities. It wasn’t the easiest transition, but I knew that it would help me grow.

I always knew photography was my passion. I was always coming up with creative concepts to shoot with friends, super eager to shoot more and more. The closer it got to graduation day, the more I was asked from friends and their parents what my future plans were and what school I would be attending. Everyone had their schools and classes chosen, so I thought perhaps maybe I would pursue a career in dental since I thought teeth were cool only because I had braces. I applied to some schools and my parents were supportive in taking me to the facilities to check them out, but my parents told my that pursuing my dreams were much more important than rushing or settling into a cookie cutter career just to “fit in” and be like everyone else.

They had always told me to focus, because I wasn’t listening, focus on what I wanted to and what I wanted to be. My parents pushed me to try my hardest to pursue my photography instead and use dental as the fall back, not the other way around. This is something I feel not a lot of parents would do, as most would push you to become that dentist, become that nurse or doctor or other cliche jobs most go to post secondary for. Having parents who pushed me to follow my authentic path to reach success was amazing. It is the reason I got FOCUS tattooed on my right inner camera shutter finger in my dads writing. Focusing on what I want to do, who I want to become, where and when I want to, is something that has stuck with me and for that I am so grateful. Now, I do my photography full time and I travel and it never feels like work. I can’t imagine my life any other way and the thought of being a dentist makes me laugh, because I feel like I would be so unhappy and plain!

After high school, I started to shoot more creatively. I planned a zombies photoshoot, which I collaborated with a local girl whose passion was special fx makeup. Another shoot I placed Pepsi cans as rollers in a models hair for a retro shoot. I started to get more familiar with editing, and did a winter photoshoot to which I photoshopped the model to be cold, white and snowy.
An opportunity then presented itself and I left Drayton Valley to again pursue a even bigger dream, but this time more for my photography and future…so I made my way to Sherwood Park, Alberta. Going from a town to a city, just had so much more to offer, as there is a huge community of photographers, models, agencies and other creatives in the city and I wanted to learn and shoot as much as possible. Shooting families by the same old buildings, by the river and hay bales was getting really old for me and I felt like I had bigger plans than what was available for me there. I started fresh again in a new place alone, to make connections, friends and clients. For me moving, meant new adventures to be had and more ways to grow personally and career wise. I was finally able to dress how I wanted without judgment being a fashion forward queen, and my creative juice could really flow and I pursue them now more than ever without question, because I am focusing on what I want to do as a photographer and now a lingerie store owner and designer, trusting the process.

Growing up my grandfather was a very hard working man, had many businesses and always seemed to be doing what made him happy while hustling and grinding to provide for his family. My father has those traits as well. I definitely get my business personality and eagerness to work so much from them. My father is very influencial to me and teaches me a lot about being independant and smart in everyday life as well as in business, so using that and using online tools and resources I have been able to navigate really well with both of my businesses (2 Thirds Honey). I might work too much sometimes, so it’s now just fine tuning the balance of work life and everyday life into play.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think aside from my eye to detail and composition, what sets me apart the MOST is my creativity and imagination. At a young age and even since the beginning of my photography career, I was always looking for new fun and creative ideas to try with my clients to stand out and be unique. Whether it’s placing rhinestones on my maternity client, the gold leaf shoots, the cozy cabin sessions or the space theme where I edited the photos to have the clients into galactic edits. They’re always changing, keeping the fun and fresh, not your typical boring studios and and themes. I call myself the Fairytogmother because I have the ability to not only give skin a high end retouched look, but I can manipulate backgrounds, change colours, and create a whole new scene with the magic of photoshop. I had the idea to “light a client on fire” for an album cover for example. I love to have fun with it and not follow any rules, simply creating with the flow of it.

I even did face time shoots with people guiding them how to get creative with themselves and did it for no cost. Not because Covid slowed me down or I needed the money but because I genuinely love what I do and found a way to connect with people all over the world and coach them into what it’s like being behind the lens and to do it for themselves! I do not see what I do as work, because I love it so much and am ALWAYS happy and excited. I am proud of myself for always taking initiative for coming up with new ideas and am always learning new techniques behind the camera, in post production, and now introducing more video creation into my career.

I would say I got where I need to be by just going for it. Asking everyone to shoot when I first started, no matter how “big” the individuals or business were on social media. You’d be surprised the answer you can get just by asking. I always say, ”the worst they can say is no, rather than not asking at all!”. I truly believe in lucky girl syndrome too. I have a lot of people around me who tell me, “oh you’re so lucky you get to do X or work with X, shoot at x”. Lucky girl syndrome is a form of manifestation, which I truly have always believed in – It involves you reciting daily affirmations in the belief that it will bring good fortune into your life. I write down every what I am grateful for, my goals into manifestations and daily affirmations. ___ WILL want to shoot with me, I WILL sell out this photoshoot, I AM successful. The first part of being successful is believing in yourself and your abilities. Confidence in yourself is step 1 no matter what.

I also am always looking for ways to represent and invite everyone to shoot with me! Showcasing all shapes and sizes, ethnicities, 2SLGBTQ+, ages, everyone from everywhere.. I will always welcome everyone with such joy and passion. I find a lot of photographers stick to shooting the typical instagram models, and It is so upsetting to hear when a client calls to book a photoshoot, that they had a hard time finding someone who has shot BIPOC or 2SLGBTQ+! I feel like every photographer can do better to represent everyone.

I am super bubbly and would consider myself easy to get along with and work with. I always want everyone to feel comfortable and beautiful, with the hair and makeup and the photoshoots. I do not just take clients to make money and call it a day, I really take my time to get to know my clients on a phone call before booking because I want to create a long lasting relationship with. I want to become life long friends with them! I also am not afraid to speak up or adjust posing. I personally have found a lot of photographers to leave their clients hanging when it comes to poses, and I so make a huge effort to always be talking and instructing while shooting so that first time clients especially can shoot with ease.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living in Edmonton area, there are a few spots in proximity to take them. I’d say you have to experience Rogers place, going to an Oilers game is a definite must! Hot dogs and beers all the way. The steak at Ruth Chris is to die for, for a nice dinner out or The Black Pearl for a seafood lovers dream, which by the way, their seafood Caesar is next level. I am a huge Caesar girl (clam juice yum)! There are actually a lot of really great restaurants, depending on the time of day. There are so many to name. Depending on the time of year, checking out Banff is a no brainer. The scenery and views are stunning. Summer hikes and exploring, a trip to the hot springs, or in Winter hitting the slopes at Lake Louise or skating the lakes

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I couldn’t be happier and more grateful for my hair and makeup artist/business partner Nelly! She is amazing, both personally and skill wise! She has taught me to know how to stand up for myself, what an amazing friend is and someone I can count on for anything. She is brutally honest, which every friend or business partner needs. We definitely have created such a great relationship in the last few years and that is what makes our bond in creating together so special. We both strive for fun and success and have such a flaming passion for making people feel their best and feel beautiful and powerful! Queen energy only! To be able to travel with someone who is like a best friend, and work and do what you love, is a true dream! With our love and passion put into our work, people call us the Dream Team.

My father for teaching me how to be work, and be street and business smart. I have learned how to do a lot of things myself, and to be independant in everything I do and to never rely on no man! He is also very handy, and has helped me build many things (props, custom closet etc) and always helps me pick up any absurdly large or ridiculous props off marketplace. I may have an addiction! Thankfully, my wild ideas always work out with them, and who doesn’t love a good thrift queen find.

My friends and clients who support and share my business, they are all so amazing! Words of encouragement, the shares, comments, and especially the word of mouth/referrals! All of it makes my heart so happy, and I wouldn’t be in the place I am now without them!

Website: www.patriciastables.com and www.2thirdshoney.com

Instagram: @patriciastablesphotog @2thirdshoney

Facebook: patriciastablesphotography and 2thirdshoney

Other: TIKTOK: patriciastablesphotog TIKTOK: 2thirdshoney

Image Credits
My self portrait/photograph taken by “Ana of Queen of Boudoir”