Today we’d like to introduce you to Des Ash.
Des, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always had a passion for photography, art, and fashion. I think my interest in photography specifically started when my older family members took photos of me for their high school photography projects. So when I finally got to high school I was so excited to take those classes. I took film and digital photography in high school and would force my little sister and her friends to dress up ridiculously and wear crazy makeup. However, in 2006 I was scouted by a top national modeling agency while working at Forever 21 and was signed. I modeled for a few years before realizing it wasn’t my passion and preferred being behind the camera. So in 2011, I bought my first DSLR camera. At first, I would just take photos of my friends and family but over time it grew into family portraits, engagement photos, graduation portraits, and small weddings.
In 2015, I decided I wanted to venture more into creative and fashion photography. I joined a modeling Facebook group and asked to shoot aspiring models. I would shoot unique and creative headshots and portraits to add to each other’s portfolios. After about 6 months of just shooting creative portraits, I started DMing small businesses and boutiques asking if they would lend or trade their clothing and accessories for shoots and they would get free images. I shot jewelry, bags, hair accessories, outdoor clothing, trendy boutique clothes, and more, all for free while I grew my portfolio. Once I had enough images to create a portfolio of brands, I started emailing bigger companies my rates and pitching doing lifestyle photos for their Instagram and website, and it worked. I started shooting for one brand after another after another. On the side, I began working with a few modeling agencies shooting more and more elaborate editorial looks and was in my first magazine in 2018. I would style, creative direct, pose the models, and photograph each shoot. By the end of 2019, I was featured in Vogue Italia and had been shooting for large clothing brands. Now, it’s 2022 and I’ve been featured in over 12 national and international fashion magazines, including British Vogue and Teen Vogue.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. At the beginning of my journey, I was working full time, shooting after work, and editing on weekends. I didn’t have a social life and buried myself in work. It eventually caused me to burn out and the need to take a very long break from the industry. I went through a traumatic experience and it destroyed my self-confidence. And it was not an overnight fix. It took me a while to grow that confidence and passion back up to come back.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a jack of all trades in the fashion and beauty world. I’ve been in the industry for so long that I’ve developed skills in almost every department. I’m mostly known for my lifestyle photography and moody editorial editing, however, I have been a stylist for other photographers, taught courses on styling and posing, and been a creative director for other brands.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
That it’s ok to take breaks and to have moments where your passion is gone. Going through a phase of burnout as a creative is normal and not to be so hard on ourselves. I had to also learn not to compare myself and my journey to someone else. It would cause me stress when I saw other people posting or shooting more consistently and I developed depression. We are human and it’s normal to go through ups and downs and to just not give up.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @desxphoto
Image Credits
Des Ash
