Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Schmiedl.
Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Gosh, where to start?
I’ve always been an artistic/creative person. I grew up on the stage and got my degree in Musical Theater Performance. I spent a few years in NYC, then moved home to South Carolina and did the Corporate thing for 7 years before deciding my ultimate “dream” was to do things my way. I’ve done just that for the last 5 years and haven’t looked back. I even found love and have been married to my sweet husband Andy for almost 2 years now.
While planning our wedding in 2020, I became curious about the Photography industry, and ultimately decided to use our registry completion coupon on a DSLR to learn the basics and see if I even liked it. I went out to photograph a friend’s family the day before Thanksgiving in 2021 and the rest is history.
Over 100 gallery deliveries later, I can’t imagine doing anything else. The joy of being able to capture precious moments and priceless memories is something I can’t explain.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth road? What is that? Haha. I pretty much never take the easy/smooth road for anything…not necessarily by choice, it’s just how things go.
Starting a business is hard. Starting a business in 2021-2022 is even harder. I’m a perfectionist by nature and once I decide I’m doing something… I’m doing it.
Photography & Editing take a lot more time than people think… especially in the beginning. I don’t think I was really prepared for that part. There’s been a lot of sacrifices in our household over the last year. Sleep is the biggest sacrifice of them all.
I’m very lucky to have the World’s most supportive husband, who has cheered me on no matter what and allowed me to dive in headfirst and figure it all out.
Tell us about your business/company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I’ve decided (for now) not to niche down. I’ve never been one to put myself into a box, so why start now? Families, Couples, Seniors, Maternity, Newborn, Milestones, Events, Branding, Bridal… I’ve done a little bit of everything.
I guess if I needed to choose, I would say I specialize in people. I love a traditional portrait… but those moments in between are what really inspire me creatively. I even love the awkward outtakes, because they are real & raw. As a photographer, especially if I’ve just met someone, I may not always be able to tell if their child is giving me a real smile or a fake one. But those little moments where they don’t think I’m looking… that can’t be faked.
What sets me apart? Ironically, something that in the beginning I was most insecure about because I was scared I would come off “unprepared or unprofessional.” I take a very laid-back, conversational approach to my sessions. They aren’t very rigid or structured. When I first started, I attempted to structure and as soon as I walked into the session, that flew out the window.
What I found over time was that my original insecurity was actually my superpower. Since I grew up in the creative arts & having your picture taken was just second nature, it didn’t initially register that so many people are very anxious with things like photo shoots. They just do them anyway because they value having the finished product. In my sessions, more often than not, I’ve already captured a good handful of authentic, usable images before anyone realizes I took my lens cap off.
Just recently, a client said “I don’t care if these aren’t any good. This is the most fun I’ve had in a while.” I mean, does it get any more rewarding than that? Don’t worry, the images were great too.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I LOVE to travel and I have a huge “photography bucket list” to fulfill, so don’t let location hold you back if you’re interested in working together!
Other than that…
Life is short, cherish the moments, & don’t be afraid to take a chance on yourself and your happiness.
Pricing:
- Portrait Photography: Starting at $250
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ashleyschmiedl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyschmiedlphotography/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ashleyschmiedlphotography
Image Credits
Ashley Schmiedl Photography
