Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Shurter.
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started photography at 15 when my uncle asked me to assist him with a wedding. He saw I had a natural eye and ability to read people’s movements so he encouraged me to take classes in college and do as much with it as I could. I took a class, met some great people. But once I got married I put all art related things aside to raise my kids and take care of my family. 10 years later I saw a need for myself and an opportunity and I took it. I picked photography back up, met some more great people and love doing what I do. Being introverted I find it a great way to break the ice with people of all ages. Kids love to have their picture taken and see what they look like. Adults will start chatting and if you ask the right questions you can build some great quick connections.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a painful road for sure. I have always been gifted at hands-on art. It was always a passion of mine, made me feel alive like I was filling my lungs with the freshest air that gave me life, joy, excitement, anticipation and a passion for sharing a part of myself that is not expressed through words. Giving that up for lack of money or marriage was like watching a dream die. I had to let it go and hope to find it again one day, find the parts of me that sees and understands light, shadow, movement, and reads body language. It has always been a dream to use photography to build up and strengthen the person I’m in front of to help them see what I see in them. Giving it up was like letting a part of myself die. But it was not lost forever.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a creative portrait photographer. I work with musicians, vendors and their products as well as food photography. I love using photography to speak life over people, reminding them of their strengths and value.
I am proud of myself for remaining resilient through hardships and finding a way around the obstacles in my life.
I take the time to get to know clients and observe them, they’re not just another client with a paycheck to me. I love seeing the expression of joy on client’s faces when they see themselves in their photos and start to believe their value is more than what the world labels them as.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My biggest support has come from those closest to me who have believed in me when life tried to knock me down, reminding me of who I am and what I am capable of. The people who have been there when I had no confidence and boasted of my abilities. Who gently guided me out of my comfort zone when all I wanted to do was run, hide, and shrink into nothingness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ashleyelizabethphotography48.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ash.liz.photography485?igsh=NGsycWEycDUxZHVz&utm_source=qr
