Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Graham.
Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have known since I was a little girl that I wanted to be a photographer when I grew up. In my early days, I used my little pink Kodak camera I got for Christmas to take photos of my sisters, my friends, the flowers in my mom’s garden, and just about anything I saw that caught my eye! As I grew up, I took a few photography classes in high school and some digital media design courses at a local technical college, and I worked to save money for my first camera. I bought my first little Nikon when I graduated high school, and ever since, I’ve been taking photos of anyone and anything that will let me!
My first professional gig was at a series of hospitals in the Salt Lake Valley; I was contracted to photograph newborns and do first-48 sessions. It was such a sweet experience to be able to capture such incredible moments for young families across the valley. Once COVID hit, I was released from that position, and it pushed me to focus on my own business. I’ve been photographing portraits, couples, families, and commercial sessions ever since! It is wonderful to have fulfilled that dream, and I work very hard to make my inner child proud!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Any photographer would tell you that pursuing professional photography is a constant struggle. Getting started is a financial struggle; equipment is expensive, and it can be hard at first to get people to take you seriously, so there isn’t much money to be made in those early days. As you grow and build a clientele, it can be a struggle not to compare yourself to the other incredible artists in the area. Clients choose other options often, and it’s hard not to take rejection personally!
Art is subjective, and not everyone will love what you do. It is hard on my self-esteem. That is something I struggle with every day. Some days, I wonder if I’m good enough, if I’m working hard enough, and I often worry about being able to sustain a life for myself with art. It can be scary, but the struggles are worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I like to jokingly say, “I shoot people.” Anything where I can work with and capture another human’s essence and beauty is what I love to do! There is nothing more fulfilling to me than when I show someone their photos and their face lights up, and they say something along the lines of “You made me look so good!” I’m always quick to remind my clients that the beauty they see in themselves was there all along.
I find I am the most proud of myself and my work in those moments. It is important to me to work with all genders, races, body types, religions, sexualities, etc, and be able to celebrate those beautiful differences that we have as humans. Social media is a cruel world that profits off of the loss of self-esteem among youth especially, so I strive to cultivate a place in my business where everyone feels safe, important, worthy, represented, and beautiful just as they are!
I also enjoy working with local businesses on product, branding, and commercial photography. Being a small business myself, I am always trying to support other small businesses in my area anywhere I can! Teaming up with like-minded individuals who have incredible visions for their work is always inspiring to me.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success is being content. Success means I wake up every morning excited about what I am doing that day, and I am not stressed about finding that next gig.
In success, I am always learning and motivated to create and have all the tools necessary to do so. Success is meeting and working with local artists and entrepreneurs and supporting each other without competition or comparison. Simply put, success is happiness!
Pricing:
- Individual Portrrait Session – $225
- Couples Portrait Session – $275
- Family Portrait Session – $375
- Commercial/Product Sessions – price varies.
Contact Info:
- Website: ashleypaigephotos.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ashleypaige.photos
Image Credits
@makeup_by_megstracy, @sarahmichelleartistry, @merci.floral, and @haedstyle
