Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Hill.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well, I grew up in a family full of talented and artistically inclined individuals – painters, singers, dancers, fashionistas and culinary artists. Oh, the list goes on and on but basically, I’ve been exposed to Visual and Performing arts all of my life! My roots are not only here in the DFW area but in New Orleans where I’ve also lived and visit often. My grandfather, Robert Ketchens, who has had an enormous impact on who I am, is a well noted and immaculate artist. He began as a medical illustrator in the Air Force to now having his paintings in various art museums across the world. So, for as long as I can remember, I have been surrounded by art and I believe I inherited that “artistic eye” from him. Being in studios using molding clay to create sculptures of people and watching my grandfather create made me want to be able to create portraits as well, but through photography instead, since the turn around time, it’s a bit faster lol. Also, my dad taught a small photography class at my middle school and I’ve been in love with the art of photography ever since. I was so fascinated with capturing an image in a split second that would create a portrait that could prompt and tell a story for years to come. My family is important to me and supportive so of course, they would be my first subjects!
To this day, my mom still jokingly complains that I take too many photos, which is impossible right? But now, I’ve just turned my passion into a business! I strive to create an experience during each of my sessions that my clients can always look back on and laugh or have a great story to tell from that day whether it be a family portrait shoot or an editorial shoot. I have never put myself or let anyone else put me in a box so my interest in various types of photography fluctuates and I want my clients to feel comfortable and confident that I would bring out the best experience and product no matter the type of photoshoot it is. So, I am continuing my education in photography skills daily. There’s always more to learn and there always will be!
Has it been a smooth road?
Nothing worth anything will be smooth sailing. I thought I’d come up with a catchy name and post an ad for my business and clients would come flying. Well, they didn’t, and prior to starting my business, I had a really ruff pregnancy, delivery and recovery. I don’t think I have ever really told anyone and I don’t think the condition is spoken about enough so I’m being brave here… but I experienced Post Partum Depression and it definitely affected my motivation and how much I worried about failing. Thank God for the support of family and friends as well as my coaches JC Warren and Emanuel Passon who have been training me physically and mentally since having my baby this past January. After surviving daily workouts, which are by far some of the hardest things I’ve done. I’ve let go of worry and fear completely and I have been motivated to be the best at everything I do. Failure isn’t even in my vocabulary any longer. So, I began to use various resources like social media and old fashion face to face networking to acquire my clientele and quality work. The business has been productive ever since.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Warm Honey Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I am your local, down to earth photographer and Warm Honey Photography is my ‘baby’ after having my baby. I strive to nurture every aspect of it. My goal is to always deliver an experience and ultimately images to each client that produces instant memories that ‘stick’, hence the name Warm Honey Photography!
What sets me apart from other photographers is that I like to know the stories of my clients before our session. I am in constant contact with my clients leading up until the day of the shoot. I like to team up with them on ideas and desires beforehand. I want my clients as well as any attending family to feel as comfortable as they would if I were a member of their family taking photos. During my sessions, I like to provide my clients with what I call a photoshoot Bestie (which really is my assistant) there to increase the comfort levels of my clients. Her duties range from containing fly away hairs of models to reassuring them they’re looking great on film, making them smile, soothing an upset child, helping them pose, giving them water, snacks, even wiping their sweat during an outdoor summer shoot.
Warm Honey photography will do anything in our power within my creative eye to bring the client’s vision and desires of the perfect photograph to existence.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
With technology these days in the next 5-10 years, I see the photography industry only becoming more creative and lucrative. Maybe I’ll find a way to deliver Holographically projected portraits directly to my clients! Who knows. All we can do is continue our education in the field as we go along!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 682-231-0329
- Email: Warmhoneyphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warmhoneyphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Warm-Honey-Photography/
Image Credit:
Eye of Koy Photography/ Warm Honey Photography
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