Meet Your Photographer!
Hey guys! Ashleigh here!
I’m so excited that you have come across my site and I can’t wait to connect with all of you. People always ask me how I got into photography, why I stuck with it, and if the industry is worth being a part of. I figured I would take some time to answer these questions and encourage all of you to keep following your dreams and work hard towards to your goals.
SO, this is me! More often than not you will find me behind a camera, however when that’s not the case I’m usually seated at my desk working hard on editing, promotions, and branding! Photography is so much more than taking images and it takes a lot of work to be able to do as your full-time job. I’m continuously grateful to my team, family, and all my wonderful clients for their support and encouragement every step of the way.
Many people ask me what sparked my passion for photography. Well believe it or not, it was actually my first horse Banjo! When my parents bought Banjo I was over the moon. This horse was everything I wanted and so much more. I quickly picked up a camera and began capturing every moment I could with him. It wasn’t long before my barn friends began asking to have photos taken with their horses! After photographing horses for a year or two, I started becoming interested in portraits. Diving into different subject matter, I explored some of my favorite things to photograph!
It took me quite some time but in 2012 I decided to take the leap and start charging for my work. I got a wide range of subjects from equestrians, portraits, families, and finally engagements! Once I began working with couples I knew there was no turning back for me. There was something about capturing each love story in a unique and beautiful way that I couldn’t walk away from. People are always shocked to hear that I’m an equestrian and wedding photographer, but why not capture things I’m most passionate about?
Pursuing my dream to be a full-time photographer was no easy task. Obstacles would appear with every new step and there were times I didn’t believe this would work out. It took a lot of hard work, time, failures and successes to finally reach my goal. Still to this day I find myself constantly trying new things and learning from every experience. I’m blessed that this job has taught me so much and taken me to place I never imagined. Having the opportunity to travel while working is incredible and I’m always looking forward to next adventure ahead.
Another huge part of why I love photography so much is the chance it gives people to capture moments. Life flashes by so quickly and we don’t always stop to appreciate it. Sometimes having the chance to look back on memories with your loved one, four-legged friend, or even your own self-image is truly something special. I want each and every one of my clients to have the chance to remember moments, relationships, and events the way I get to.
I strongly believe that if you have a desire and love for something then you have to pursue it! There will always be challenges along the way and plenty of people telling you that you can’t do it. But I’m here to tell you that you CAN! Little did I know so many years ago that picking up a camera to take some snapshots of my horse would lead me to building a business and working with new people every day. I’m proud in the growth I’ve accomplished over the years and confident in what the future holds. If you truly love your job the work really doesn’t feel like work at all! Keep pushing towards your goals and do what makes you happy. I’ve lived by those concepts for quite some time and can tell you that it’s all worth it.
