Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Marie.
Hi Ashley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started Ashley Marie photography after my seven years old daughter was born. I have always had a passion and worked in photography, being a mom and getting the push and support from family and friends, Ashley Marie photography was born. My eye for being creative, taking time to get to know my families and creating something that concepts to them always set me apart from other photographers. I started off taking photos independently in the hospitals after babies were born and grew that majority of my clients from word of mouth, and still do to this day. I thrive off doing creative projects where sometimes I will get an idea and just ask my friends or close clients to help me achieve this look that I want to achieve. The support from my friends and family has always been the best, just simply sharing my posts, telling people they work with and supporting me when I first started and rocking with me and never switching up. I have an abundance of love and gratitude for them. When I no longer shared a studio space with other photographers, my friends and family contributed with gifts and lots of love in my new space and every time I enter my space I am reminded of the people that will always support my dreams.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being an entrepreneur is tough, people show you on social media the glam of working for yourself. Which don’t get me wrong there are tons of benefits of owning and working for yourself. The downsides are when you are slow and you still have to move on with everyday life. The work-life balance of when to put yourself on “I’m not working” “I’m off” was one of the biggest struggles for me. I remember when I first started if someone would message me at 2 in the morning and I was up I would respond. That created some unhealthy boundaries with clients where they thought I was always available. Having to figure out what to do next to make people come in the door because things weren’t as busy as last month, or even in January how do I get people to book photo shoots when everyone just took Christmas photos.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a photographer and am set apart from others because I have a creative eye and like to set up a sense or do the consultation with you and learn what you and your family like and create your family photos around things that you enjoy and you like. I am most proud of starting my actually business quitting my job stepping out on faith and watching my art grow. Walking into client’s spaces, and like WOW that’s my work on your wall, on your flyer. Every time I do a creative project and it goes viral it is a consistent reminder of this is my passion and I am going to keep going no matter how hard it gets.
Any big plans?
I have recently rebranded my business, Made another new logo. Changed the way I offer “specials” and changed the way you book online with me. I am excited to see how this goes with my regular clients from when I first started because some of my clients are super spoiled and think that they don’t have to book on the website still. I created a point system for them with rewards so maybe they will want to book online. My future plans are to run small specials on certain days and only those customers have faith in the vision on that day get that discounted special price. To start specializing in what I really love, and hopefully since the pandemic seems to be on the downslope go back into hospitals and take newborn photos again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashleymariephotographymke87.com/book-online
- Instagram: Ashleymariephotographymke
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ashleymariephotographymke
Image Credits
All Images By Ashley Marie Photography MKE
