Women in Adventure Sports: Paulina Peña

Paulina Peña is a photographer, model and adventurer based in Utah, and travels all over the world for projects and trips. Having worked with brands ranging from Cotopaxi, Backcountry, Title Nine and many more, and being an athlete herself, Paulina shares her wealth of experience in the outdoor industry and how it has shaped her as a person. From working in the outdoor industry as a woman and Chilean, to finding community, and battling stereotypes and self-doubt, Paulina’s story is a unique account of finding yourself and pursuing your passion.

This interview is part of a collection of stories featuring women in the outdoors. Find other articles in this collection here.

How did you get into the photography, outdoor collaborations, and modeling that you currently do? 

Paulina: I would say getting into photography kind of happened, it was always my passion but never the plan. I was always the person with the camera, taking photos of everything that we did. For a long time I never really felt like I could make a career out of it. At the time, you never really heard about that being a possibility. I grew up in South Carolina, where adventure photography isn’t really a thing. Then when I was in college, my younger sister moved to New York City.

I took a semester off to really figure out what I wanted to do, and I went to live with her. While I was there I got exposed to more photography and realized I could do this passion full-time. My parents had been asking me what I really want to do, and I realized then that I really wanted to be a photographer, something at the time I wasn’t even going to school for. While I was living in NYC with my sister I took a few photography courses and that just allowed me to really hone in on my skill. During that semester off of school, I found a surf photography workshop in Hawaii, and decided to go and try it out to learn about surf photography. It was there that I just fell in love with adventure sports photography. After I graduated I moved to Utah, I met really great people and built my career as a photographer there. I know it took hard work but it honestly feels like I was able to come into this world by chance just by building those connections.

How would you describe where you are right now in your career? It sounds like you’re really passionate about what you do. You’ve built it all on your own, you’ve learned a lot, what have been some of your biggest takeaways from the work that you’ve been doing so far, and how would you say that you as a person has evolved in the outdoor world?

Paulina: I would call myself a freelance model, photographer and copywriter. Those are the three main things that I do. I can’t say that I’ve done this all on my own because I have so many amazing people in my life who have supported me and helped me get to where I am today. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is to not let the work I do take away my love for the outdoors or for these sports. It can be stressful at times with making money doing my passion, comparing myself to others in the industry, or say another photographer was picked instead of me for a shoot. So I think the thing I’ve learned the most is about being able to find that balance between the passion and then the work aspect of it as well. It’s hard, but it’s important to try to find a balance between the two so you don’t get burnt out, because I want to continue doing what I love for my work. I love what I do so much that it often doesn’t even feel like work. I would say I’ve evolved in the outdoor world in the sense that moving out west, I’ve been exposed to a community whose lives revolve around the outdoors. I want everyone to be able to experience that, to have an outdoor community of people to go adventure with. It’s the best.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is to not let the work I do take away my love for the outdoors or for these sports.

It sounds like a lot of your passion in the outdoors really helps to influence your work. You have to grow that part of yourself so you’re not just behind the camera or on the job all the time.

Paulina: Exactly, and oftentimes my favorite jobs are the ones where I get paid to do some of my favorite activities outdoors. So for a lot of my modeling gigs, because I’m a climber and a mountain biker and a snowboarder, I get to do that. It’s amazing to get to do these things I love, to travel and to meet really cool people.

What have been some of the most memorable jobs for work or adventures for you personally?

Paulina: One of my favorite more recent trips is a TV show I just competed on this past fall, that will be airing this May. It is a reality survival and adventure racing show. It was the greatest experience of my life. Other favorites are when I went to Iceland. I had just started my new job with Gregory backpacks, which is a company that I used to work with full-time. I was helping produce and shoot backup photography and videos, and I was able to see a country I’ve always wanted to go to, which was pretty spectacular, and meet some amazing people. Another one of my favorite gigs that I got to do was being talent on a climbing trip in Hawaii and then getting to do some underwater shots as well. I was working with Title Nine and surrounded by this amazing group of women who are also now some of my closest friends. Honestly, every shoot/job I’m on is so memorable. I walk away from each one energized, and inspired. I get to travel to the most beautiful locations and work alongside the most incredible people. 

That sounds incredible. How did you get started with the work you’re doing with outdoor brands, for instance the snowsports, climbing, hiking, mountaineering and all of that? Are these hobbies that you’ve always had, and how have they evolved for you?

Paulina: Climbing is a sport I’ve done for about 21 years now. I competed for ten years starting at the age of 10, and have just continued to carry on my love for that. That also introduced me to more of the outdoor world. Then I was raised very outdoorsy, so I grew up camping and hiking and mountain biking and traveling with my family. As for snowsports, I didn’t do much on the East Coast but then when I moved to Utah I started to get really into it. Living in this area has truly expanded my love of adventure sports and being outside. All the access here is incredible. I can go climbing within 20 minutes of my house, then go skiing and snowboarding in another 20 minutes. It’s all right in my backyard.

All the access here is incredible. I can go climbing within 20 minutes of my house, then go skiing and snowboarding in another 20 minutes. It’s all right in my backyard.

 

So not to put the West Coast versus East Coast debate on the spot, but it sounds like you might have a preference.

Paulina: Yes, definitely. I’m definitely a West Coast person [laughs].

When you moved to the West Coast, did you find a sense of community there easily or did it take time? How many years ago did you make that change?

Paulina: I moved about eight years ago, as soon as I graduated college. My older sister and parents had just moved to Utah, I had always wanted to live out West and I fell in love with Utah. I definitely do feel like I found more of a sense of community and outdoor culture out here. Back east most people didn’t even know that competitive climbing was a thing, or that rock climbing was a sport in general. I will say that back then it wasn’t as popular as it is now. But once I moved out here, it was a significantly bigger culture than anything I’d ever experienced back on the East Coast. So I would say that community wise, I’ve definitely found my people here.

Did you see that shift as well in the outdoor industry? There’s definitely been an increase in popularity recently and I can imagine that being big behind the scenes.

Paulina: Absolutely, and that’s been very beneficial for my career as well. But more than anything for me, it’s been exciting to witness seeing such strong women come up in these sports and in the industry, and making careers out of it. Especially because growing up it was so male dominated. When I was climbing in my teens, all my teammates were men. It was me and another girl but then it was all guys.

I’ve seen that as being a big shift in this culture. As well as seeing it be so accessible for everyone, not just for women, but just people of color, those with disabilities, there’s so much more diversity that’s been really great to witness. That acceptance also helps my career because instead of it always being men who get picked for roles, there’s more inclusivity and openness for others who are breaking into this field.

So when you started out, and even now too, has it been difficult as a woman in these fields? Were there barriers you’ve had to overcome?

Paulina: For myself, it’s a lot about questioning my abilities. I always worry that people will think, because I’m a woman, that I can’t keep up or that I’m not strong enough to climb something for a photoshoot. Then for a photography job, if I have the skills to be doing the photoshoot. And then it’ll constantly feel like I have to prove myself and prove that I’m capable of what they’re asking of me.

For myself, it’s a lot about questioning my abilities. I always worry that people will think, because I’m a woman, that I can’t keep up or that I’m not strong enough to climb something for a photoshoot.

How have you worked with that? Are there skills you’ve developed that you feel support your work in these areas?

Paulina: One of the biggest things for me has been building a community of other women in the outdoor industry and in the media industry. While so many people can kind of push you down, I’ve found that these groups really build you up and are incredibly supportive. I think that’s really helped us all to find inner strength and realize we have what it takes. It does help that this field is becoming more diverse, and I do work with really incredible men who understand that and help to support us. We’re shifting more towards a field that prioritizes skill and the content of your work, not gender, race or background.

I love how you’re able to meet those people and cultivate a community. Has it been more difficult with the rise in popularity of the outdoor industry to be authentic in your field? It seems like it would put more pressure on you to act in a certain way and hold up a certain ideal. I feel like there’s almost always this push of needing to do better, to be better, and show something that may not align with yourself.

Paulina: I definitely have struggled with that, especially with my photography. As talent, I haven’t really experienced that too much and I’ve been lucky. But with photography, you’re trying to keep up with trends and get exposure. Sometimes I’ll take a job because I need the money even if it doesn’t entirely fit with my style, and that’s hard because then I feel like it’s inauthentic. But that’s also part of making your passion your work.

I’ve gotten more picky about which brands or projects I work on as I’ve gotten older and become more confident in the field, and that’s all part of building those connections and content base. When I was younger I felt like I was trying too hard to match the trends, or saying yes to projects that I didn’t love, and when you’re doing that over and over again it can lead to burnout. At one point I took a break to reconnect with myself and my work, which was a major help in figuring out what it is I really like working on.

Yes, and the trends change constantly, so it’s almost impossible for that to be an authentic way to do anything. And so it’s great that you were able to take a break to figure things out and really come back to yourself.

Paulina: That was very helpful. It was scary at first because I feared that I didn’t love photography anymore, but it was just when I couldn’t connect to my work as much. There were a lot of questions of self doubt, but that’s something I needed to work through.

Exactly, and it’s hard to separate the trends from who you really are as well. Because that’s what companies look out for and what customers tend to want. So with being yourself you risk job stability and not knowing if it’s what people would like.

It sounds like you go on all these adventures and you live this very fast paced lifestyle. How are you able to balance your work and travel with also taking care of yourself?

Paulina: Sometimes it feels like a struggle, for instance this month I haven’t been traveling as much and really just staying local to this area. I think honestly, the way I get through all of the travel is by having my family here. I can find time to settle, calm down, and just be with people. It’s been great to have friends that can help out when I’m gone too, if it’s taking care of my dog or house sitting when I’m gone. Then another important piece for me, is when I am home, prioritizing the activities that I love and places that I like to go to, and now that I work full-time as a freelancer I’m able to do that more.

Going to the gym is a part of what helps me stay in shape for work but also where I just really feel good, and it’s also a chance to meet up with friends and have group motivation.

Sometimes though it does get very stressful, where I don’t really have any breaks between work so it will just feel like I’m going and going. Recently it’s been really busy with back to back shoots, then I leave really soon for Chile where I’ll be for a month. While that trip is for fun, I will also be working during it. For me it’s always important to remind myself that this is a lifestyle I’m choosing and things I want to do, but it can get hard at times to balance all of it. But then when I’m sitting still, I’ll get anxious, so I really do thrive in those fast paced environments.

When it is a personal trip but also for work, how do you find that balance? Are you setting aside time for yourself or for projects?

Paulina: I would say that for the work aspect, this time it’s going to be really fun because it’s all photography. So I have a shot list and things I need to do but a lot of it is on my own timeline. Then while I’m traveling I’ll also be seeing family, so that gives me an opportunity to slow down and reset and be with people. A lot of my family is from the area and they own a farm that’s been passed down through the generations, so I’m going down to visit and be with them. I think just the fact that it doesn’t necessarily feel like work helps me out a lot. Previously I’ve had to take meetings and everything while being there, back when I worked full-time for a company, and that’s harder to balance because I wanted to spend time with my family but then also had these commitments.

Sometimes I get second thoughts, even now, like regretting that I signed up for a project when I really just want to be visiting family. But it can all work out and most of what I’m doing is getting to be in places I love and taking a few products to photograph and edit. But it’s something that I’m still trying to work on and really prioritizing that if I’m on vacation, it’s time for myself and for family, not work.

With this trip, it sounds like you’re able to see family but also be in a place you love, which sounds really amazing. And so I think that is a great example of working to live, not living to work, and you’re finding that balance with it.

Paulina: Yeah, absolutely. I feel very lucky because it is a privilege and I try to always keep that aspect of it in mind.

With the variability in your area of work as well, can that also be overwhelming?

Paulina: It can be scary. They’ll be times when you don’t have any projects lined up and in those times it’s great to have a community. We’ll ask each other if anyone has a project coming up, and being able to plan and just have that support with other women is great. And then it can change so suddenly. There have been times when I have nothing lined up, and then almost out of nowhere my schedule is booked.

I’d like to circle back on how you mentioned being talent, and how that’s been more of a recent change. With going to the gym, staying in shape, and having those pressures on you from the industry, does that get overwhelming? How do you handle that? Often, especially with more women in these industries speaking out about their experiences, there can be a lot of criticism and critique on our bodies. Has that been something you’ve experienced?

Paulina: Sometimes I can’t believe I’m a model because I’m always comparing myself to other women and thinking I don’t look like them, or that I’m not good enough. I’ve struggled with body image issues and an eating disorder since college, so this question is especially relevant. It’s something that I’m constantly battling.

Because I do it for work and I also love being active and in the outdoors, I always need to find that line of trying to stay healthy for myself, but not letting those external ideals dictate what I do. It’s a challenge to not let the societal standards take me back to those negative thoughts, and being talent often amplifies that even more. Because I’m a fitness model, I don’t have to be super skinny, but I do have to be very fit, which is what the agencies or companies are looking for.

I always need to find that line of trying to stay healthy for myself, but not letting those external ideals dictate what I do.

What I do is amazing and also a challenge, but I do love it. I’m trying not to let the negative aspects of it affect me, but so often you’re always your worst critic as well.

Yes, you’re always so much harder on yourself. In this industry, there also seems to be more of a shift towards body inclusivity and diversity. Those issues are things that a lot of people struggle with, myself included throughout school. Has the rise in more people entering these spaces helped that, or made it more welcoming?

Paulina: It’s something that I find really important to talk about, because when you struggle with something like that you can feel very alone, or worse it could trigger the eating disorder to come back. It’s been really helpful to just be open about it, and share these experiences. I’ve noticed a shift in women uplifting other women and not body shaming. Working with companies who also don’t do that has been helpful, too.

It’s definitely something that with a lack of routine with travel, it can be hard to regulate and care for yourself. Are there things that you do or routines you have that help, even when you’re on the road?

Paulina: Being active in general helps me a lot mentally, so I tend to workout more for my mental health, and then second is physical health. I also have a great climbing community and people that I’ll go workout with when I’m back in town. Having someone else to help push you can be amazing, and a great way to connect with friends. I’ll go climb or run with people when I’m free and that’s really fun.

Checking in with yourself, seeing how you’re feeling, that’s also important.

Paulina: Yeah, absolutely. Then recognizing when you need a break, especially coming back from a big trip.

Yes, giving yourself that time to rest, especially when things are moving so fast. What are some of your upcoming trips and events? I know you have this trip to Chile, but what else is coming up for you?

Paulina: I have a few other trips planned, but I’m hoping to have 2024 really be a year of growth for me. So focusing on creating the life that I really want for myself and pursuing all these things that I’m excited about.

 

You can find more of Paulina’s work and contact her through her website or follow along on her Instagram @paulinap.